Director of Continuous Improvement (Downers Grove)

Job Summary The Director, Continuous Improvement is a strategic leader responsible for defining, advancing, and sustaining enterprise-wide continuous improvement initiatives across assigned platforms. This role partners closely with Plant and Functional Leadership to embed a high-performance culture grounded in Lean, Agile, and data-driven decision-making.This leader drives the execution and long-term sustainment of the Maker’s Pride Performance System, ensuring consistent application across manufacturing and support functions. By leading large-scale transformation initiatives and developing internal capabilities, the Director enhances safety performance, improves first-pass quality, reduces waste and customer complaints, and increases overall operational efficiency and throughput.The role is instrumental in building organizational capability, strengthening leadership pipelines, and accelerating results through disciplined execution, effective coaching, and standardization of best practices.Key ResponsibilitiesPartner with senior leadership to develop and execute strategic initiatives aligned to operational excellence and business objectivesLead the deployment, standardization, and sustainment of the Maker’s Pride Performance System across all production and non-production areasDesign, implement, and continuously improve tools, systems, and processes that enable scalable continuous improvement across the organizationLead and oversee large-scale, cross-functional improvement initiatives to ensure successful execution and measurable resultsCoach and develop CI leaders and teams to effectively plan, execute, and sustain improvement projects and kaizen eventsIdentify and develop high-potential talent; provide coaching, mentoring, and career development support to build future leadership capabilityChampion Lean and Agile methodologies, driving adoption and cultural integration at all levels of the organizationInfluence and drive cultural transformation by embedding continuous improvement principles into daily operations and leadership behaviorsPartner with Operations and CI teams to develop and deliver improvement pipelines and financial savings targetsDrive data-driven decision-making through improved utilization and standardization of SAP and other systemsPromote collaboration, structured problem-solving, and strategic thinking to deliver sustainable business outcomesManage multiple concurrent projects while ensuring alignment, prioritization, and resource optimizationCommunicate effectively with stakeholders across all levels, including executive leadership, to provide updates, insights, and recommendationsQualificationsEducation: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or a related field requiredExperience: 10+ years of progressive experience in Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, or Operational Excellence. Minimum of 4 years in a manufacturing environment strongly preferred.Food manufacturing experience a plusDemonstrated experience leading large-scale transformation initiatives and cross-functional projects Certifications: Lean, Six Sigma, or Kaizen certification preferredSkills: Deep expertise in Lean, Agile, and continuous improvement methodologies; Six Sigma knowledge a plusStrong project and program management capabilities, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneouslyExcellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organizationAdvanced problem-solving skills with a structured, data-driven approachStrong financial acumen, including understanding of P&L, cost drivers, and performance metricsExperience leveraging SAP and other systems to drive standardization and decision-making (preferred)High level of attention to detail, professionalism, and ability to manage confidential informationAbility to work autonomously while building strong cross-functional relationshipsDemonstrated ability to drive change, influence culture, and sustain results in a fast-paced environmentTravel: Travel 50%–75% to support plant initiatives and ensure consistent executionJob Summary The Director, Continuous Improvement is a strategic leader responsible for defining, advancing, and sustaining enterprise-wide continuous improvement initiatives across assigned platforms. This role partners closely with Plant and Functional Leadership to embed a high-performance culture grounded in Lean, Agile, and data-driven decision-making.This leader drives the execution and long-term sustainment of the Maker’s Pride Performance System, ensuring consistent application across manufacturing and support functions. By leading large-scale transformation initiatives and developing internal capabilities, the Director enhances safety performance, improves first-pass quality, reduces waste and customer complaints, and increases overall operational efficiency and throughput.The role is instrumental in building organizational capability, strengthening leadership pipelines, and accelerating results through disciplined execution, effective coaching, and standardization of best practices.Key ResponsibilitiesPartner with senior leadership to develop and execute strategic initiatives aligned to operational excellence and business objectivesLead the deployment, standardization, and sustainment of the Maker’s Pride Performance System across all production and non-production areasDesign, implement, and continuously improve tools, systems, and processes that enable scalable continuous improvement across the organizationLead and oversee large-scale, cross-functional improvement initiatives to ensure successful execution and measurable resultsCoach and develop CI leaders and teams to effectively plan, execute, and sustain improvement projects and kaizen eventsIdentify and develop high-potential talent; provide coaching, mentoring, and career development support to build future leadership capabilityChampion Lean and Agile methodologies, driving adoption and cultural integration at all levels of the organizationInfluence and drive cultural transformation by embedding continuous improvement principles into daily operations and leadership behaviorsPartner with Operations and CI teams to develop and deliver improvement pipelines and financial savings targetsDrive data-driven decision-making through improved utilization and standardization of SAP and other systemsPromote collaboration, structured problem-solving, and strategic thinking to deliver sustainable business outcomesManage multiple concurrent projects while ensuring alignment, prioritization, and resource optimizationCommunicate effectively with stakeholders across all levels, including executive leadership, to provide updates, insights, and recommendationsQualificationsEducation: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or a related field requiredExperience: 10+ years of progressive experience in Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, or Operational Excellence. Minimum of 4 years in a manufacturing environment strongly preferred.Food manufacturing experience a plusDemonstrated experience leading large-scale transformation initiatives and cross-functional projects Certifications: Lean, Six Sigma, or Kaizen certification preferredSkills: Deep expertise in Lean, Agile, and continuous improvement methodologies; Six Sigma knowledge a plusStrong project and program management capabilities, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneouslyExcellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organizationAdvanced problem-solving skills with a structured, data-driven approachStrong financial acumen, including understanding of P&L, cost drivers, and performance metricsExperience leveraging SAP and other systems to drive standardization and decision-making (preferred)High level of attention to detail, professionalism, and ability to manage confidential informationAbility to work autonomously while building strong cross-functional relationshipsDemonstrated ability to drive change, influence culture, and sustain results in a fast-paced environmentTravel: Travel 50%–75% to support plant initiatives and ensure consistent executionThe pay range for this full-time, salaried position is $160,266-240,400/year. Individual base pay depends on work location and additional factors such as experience, job-related skills, and relevant education or training. The position is eligible for a discretionary annual incentive based on company and individual performance. We offer a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, 401k and wellness benefits beginning on the first day of employment. #LI-JO1#HybridThe information provided in this document provides an overview of the most common duties, qualifications, and demands of the position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive summary of the role, and the duties, qualifications, and demands of the position are subject to change without notice. The expectations provided here may also be modified if an employee with a disability could effectively meet the expectations for the role with reasonable accommodation.JobFamilyDirectorPayTypeSalary