Director of Continuous Improvement
Location : Naperville, IL
Type : Full-time
Lead and Drive Continuous Improvement Across a National Network
A rapidly growing food manufacturing company with over six decades of success is expanding its leadership team. We are seeking a Director of Continuous Improvement to spearhead Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) / World-Class Manufacturing (WCM) initiatives across 17 manufacturing facilities in North America. This position will be based at the corporate headquarters in Naperville, IL, with full relocation assistance provided.
This role offers an exciting opportunity to shape and execute a company-wide continuous improvement strategy, working directly with executive leadership to drive operational excellence and long-term efficiency improvements.
What We Offer
- Competitive Salary - $170K - $220K, plus a 30% bonus long term incentives
- Full Relocation Assistance - comprehensive coverage
- Comprehensive Benefits - Medical, dental, vision, pension plan, and tuition reimbursement
- Career Growth - Opportunity to move into higher-level executive roles within the organization
- Work-Life Balance - Flexible work hours, remote work options, and less than 30% travel per year
- Values-Driven Organization - Join a company recognized as one of the most ethical businesses in the industry, committed to sustainability and safety
Responsibilities
Oversee TPM / WCM implementation across 17 manufacturing facilities, ensuring best practices are standardized and executed efficientlyLead a team of 5-7 Continuous Improvement Managers, driving initiatives focused on cost savings, process improvements, and operational efficiencyDevelop and execute strategic improvement plans, aligning TPM and CI methodologies with corporate objectivesManage the CI savings budget, ensuring projects deliver measurable financial and business impactBe a subject matter expert in Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, and WCM methodologies, guiding plant leadership teams on loss elimination and operational transformationFoster a culture of continuous improvement by leading Kaizen events, implementing 5S, SMED, TPM, PDCA, VSM, A3 Problem Solving, and driving employee engagement in CI initiativesAdvise and influence executive leadership, providing insights into organizational effectiveness, performance improvement, and operational excellence strategiesDevelop and deliver CI training programs, equipping teams at all levels with Lean, Six Sigma, and problem-solving toolsMonitor and evaluate existing processes, ensuring sustained efficiency and ongoing performance improvementsRequirements :
BS is required, ideally in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field (Master's or MBA preferred)Six Sigma Green Belt required, Black Belt or Master Black Belt strongly preferred2 years of manufacturing or supply chain leadership experience in a CPG or food production environment5-10 years leading continuous improvement strategies at a corporate or multi-site levelProven experience implementing TPM, WCM, or Lean manufacturing methodologies across multiple facilitiesStrong financial acumen with the ability to analyze cost structures, manage budgets, and measure process efficiencyDemonstrated ability to lead culture change, implement change management strategies, and drive engagement across diverse teamsExperience coaching and mentoring teams in productivity, efficiency, and loss elimination projects (Kaizen, Root Cause Analysis, PDCA)Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to influence and drive change at all levels of an organizationProficiency in Microsoft Office and data analysis toolsWilling to travel up to 25% as neededTake the Next Step
If you are an experienced leader in continuous improvement, TPM, or operational excellence, looking for a high-impact role in a fast-growing food manufacturing company, apply today!
Salary : $170,000 - $220,000
