Dir. of Continuous Improvement Full Time

Director of Continuous Improvement

📍 Chicago Area, Illinois (On-Site)

Olympus is conducting this confidential search on behalf of a privately held manufacturing organization.

The company is seeking a hands-on Director of Continuous Improvement to lead operational excellence initiatives across multiple manufacturing locations focused on metals manufacturing, automated production environments, and plastics-related operations.

This is a newly created, highly visible role responsible for driving process improvement, operational efficiency, throughput enhancement, cost reduction, and Lean transformation initiatives throughout the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and facilitate Continuous Improvement initiatives across multiple manufacturing facilities

• Drive operational efficiency, throughput improvement, scrap reduction, and manufacturing performance optimization

• Develop and implement Lean manufacturing strategies and continuous improvement roadmaps

• Partner directly with plant leadership, maintenance, supervisors, engineering, and operations teams

• Lead kaizen events and cross-functional improvement initiatives

• Utilize KPI-driven decision making to support operational objectives and accountability

• Identify and implement best practices across manufacturing locations

• Partner with finance leadership to validate project savings and operational improvement impact

• Help establish and strengthen a culture of operational excellence throughout the organization

Ideal Background:

• Experience within metals manufacturing, automotive, plastics, injection molding, extrusion, or highly automated manufacturing environments

• Hands-on experience with presses, robotic work cells, and industrial production operations preferred

• Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma experience strongly preferred

• Proven success leading measurable operational improvement and cost savings initiatives

• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities

• Multi-site manufacturing exposure preferred

This role will support multiple manufacturing locations, with an initial operational focus at the organization’s metals manufacturing facility.

Seeking a manufacturing operator who understands plant-floor operations and can drive measurable operational impact across the organization.

Competitive compensation package including performance bonus offered.

If interested, please message me directly with your resume and information regarding your background and fit for the opportunity.