Manager, Continuous Improvement - NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS at Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., LLC – Chicago, Illinois

HuFriedyGroup is looking for a passionate and experienced Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager to drive operational excellence through the implementation of Lean principles and continuous improvement initiatives. This role plays a key part in our business transformation journey, helping to embed a culture of Lean thinking across all levels of the organization.

As CI Manager, you’ll lead cross-functional teams, coach senior leaders, and execute strategic projects that improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring strong collaboration, a results-driven mindset, and a deep commitment to building a culture of continuous improvement.

Please Note: This role is based in Chicago, IL, with the facility scheduled to relocate to Northbrook, IL in March 2026. All applicants must be willing to travel as needed and commit to relocating with the company at that time.

• Leads and drives lean transformation and change initiatives to create and sustain world-class, visually managed processes for instantaneous recognition of wastes in all areas.
• Implements CI/Lean methods to drive improvement in alignment with strategic goals and objectives.
• Facilitates and/or conducts lean training programs, Kaizen events, and other lean initiatives. Assesses, coaches, and provides constructive feedback to teams to strengthen lean competencies at the site.
• Serves as a change facilitator, develops and collaborates with site/area lean champions and/or business leaders and influences site leadership in the transformation to and in support of a continuous improvement culture.
• Develops and manages multiple processes, long and short-term, sustainable, lean-related visual action plans as well as assigned key projects.
• Monitors existing and new processes for improvement opportunities in safety, quality, delivery, and cost through lean problem solving methodology and takes appropriate follow-up action.
• Tracks, measures, and reports progress on improvements using standard, established KPI’s.
• Establishes and monitors core CI/lean systems such as: SQDC, 5S, Standard Work, and Leader Standard Work for compliance to standards and effective utilization.
• Assists in the preparation of budgets, schedules, and other financial reports regarding the impact of sustaining CI/lean improvements, waste reduction, and ROI, as indicated by lean accounting principles. Provides input to Capital Equipment Requests relative to CI/Lean projects.
• Organize and facilitate site Lean Steering Committee.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge through benchmarking world-class lean organizations and personal CI/Lean-related training.
• Hires, trains, develops, coaches, and provides team member guidance and supervision in the event of having direct report(s).
• Other assigned duties.

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in lieu of degree
• Experience implementing pull loops, controlled markets, timed delivery routes, PFEP, etc.
• 8 -10 years of demonstrated, qualified lean experience in a leadership role.
• Knowledge and demonstrated understanding of a variety of lean tools: Toyota Production System and methodologies such as: A3 Development and Management, Process Flow Mapping, Value Stream Mapping, 5S/Visual Factory, TPM, QCO-SMED, Standard Work, Process Problem Solving, Built In Quality, Just In Time, Kaizen/Continuous Improvement, Hoshin Kanri – SDP X Matrix, and Lean ROI.
• Knowledge of and demonstrated ability to integrate safety, ergonomics and 5S requirements within CI/ lean practices.
• Ability to manage priorities for limited multi-site responsibility.
• Experience in working within a matrix environment reporting to Lean organization and taking local direction from Site Director.

• One successful brownfield lean transformation or equivalent transformation experience is preferred.

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