Senior Business Excellence Partner at Wheels, Inc. – Schaumburg, Illinois

The Senior Business Excellence Partner plays a key strategic role in advancing our culture of continuous improvement across the organization. This senior-level position partners directly with functional executives to identify, define, prioritize, and execute initiatives that improve efficiency, quality, cost, and customer outcomes.

This role requires a highly autonomous, self-directed leader who can navigate a complex organization, build strong cross-functional relationships, and convert business challenges into practical, measurable solutions. The Senior Business Excellence Partner is accountable to deliver quantifiable improvements and will be evaluated on outcomes such as cost reduction, quality process enhancements, cycle-time improvements, and customer experience gains.

Working within the Business Excellence department, this individual applies LEAN, Six Sigma, and other quality methodologies to design and implement process improvements, lead Kaizen events, conduct statistical and financial analyses, guide performance measurement efforts, and support system optimization initiatives. The role also contributes to embedding LEAN thinking and a continuous improvement mindset throughout the organization.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Strategic Partnership & Leadership
  • Serve as the primary continuous improvement partner to one or more functional executives, helping to define their improvement roadmap and portfolio of initiatives.
  • Operate independently, exercising sound judgment in identifying opportunities, scoping work, prioritizing projects, and driving execution with minimal direction.
  • Influence stakeholders at all levels to build alignment, remove barriers, and ensure successful implementation of change.
  • Communicate recommendations and insights to senior leadership with clarity, confidence, and data-driven rationale.

• LEAN / Quality Leadership
  • Deploy LEAN, Six Sigma, and related quality methodologies to solve complex organizational challenges and improve performance.
  • Lead impactful Kaizen events and structured problem-solving workshops that generate measurable improvements.
  • Support the development of functional requirements for process changes, system enhancements, and workflow redesigns.
  • Conduct COPQ (Cost of Poor Quality) analysis, financial modeling, and statistical assessments to validate the value of proposed solutions.

• Process Improvement & Design
  • Map, analyze, redesign, and optimize end-to-end processes across operational, client-facing, and financial functions.
  • Transform ambiguous problems into structured improvement efforts with clear hypotheses, root-cause analysis, and actionable solutions.
  • Collaborate with IT and Product teams to translate process needs into system requirements, ensuring technology supports business efficiencies.
  • Validate and test process changes to ensure successful implementation and adoption.

• Metrics & Performance Management
  • Develop, enhance, and maintain operational, financial, and relationship metrics that support data-driven decision-making.
  • Monitor trends, diagnose issues, and identify opportunities for improvement through quantitative and qualitative analysis.
  • Standardize performance reporting and ensure consistent visibility of progress against key goals and KPIs.

• Business Analysis & Organizational Navigation
  • Build a deep understanding of business operations, workflows, and customer requirements to inform solution design.
  • Navigate complex organizational structures to gain alignment, secure resources, and ensure that solutions are implemented effectively.
  • Recommend process, people, and technology solutions grounded in business realities and economic value.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

• This position has no people leader responsibilities

COMPETENCIES - SKILLS

• Proven track record of leading enterprise-wide Lean/CI programs with measurable impact in matrixed organizations.
• Deep knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Demonstrated success facilitating Kaizen events and building engagement across levels of the organization.
• Hands-on experience with Salesforce, ServiceNow, or similar enterprise platforms is a plus.
• Strong business acumen, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, Visio, and project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet, or similar).

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, Supply Chain, Operations or related field required; advanced degree is a plus
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification
• 7-10+ years of experience in process improvement, business transformation, or operational optimization within complex service or transactional environments

CORE VALUES

At Wheels, we believe in fostering a culture that is built on our Core Values and Guiding Principles. We cultivate a culture of excellence and innovation by upholding these values, driving our collective success and growth.

• Integrity – Always act with integrity and honesty.
• One Team – Treat others with dignity and respect; act as a cohesive, inclusive and accountable team that is making a difference.
• Innovation – Drive continuous improvement, spark creativity and embrace next generation thinking.
• Customer Success – Ensure that customer and driver success is at the heart of everything we do.

CULTURAL ATTRIBUTES

At Wheels, our culture guides us how we work every day, and we look for team members who show these behaviors:

• Discipline Drives Quality – Plan the Trip: Think proactively, hold a high bar, follow through by leveraging experience and systems. To produce quality outcomes, we must be intentional and deliberate in everything we do, from big bets to daily execution.
• Intellectually Curious – Fuel Your Minds: Be bold, challenge assumptions, think differently, look outside the box. Strive to unlock your own thinking and create new possibilities.
• Commit and Deliver – Own It: Take responsibility for your work, from start to finish, and be accountable for the results. Think and act like an owner of the business.
• Relationships Matter – Share the Ride: Trust is central, both with key internal and external stakeholders. Relationships are not a side effect of work but a driver of success.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS, PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work Environment: This position is in Schaumburg, Ill and operates in a professional office environment.
• Positions Type/Standard Schedule: This is a full-time, hybrid position (3 days in office - Wednesday is required in office), Monday and Friday
• Travel: No Travel required for this position
• Physical Demands: Speak, hear, and see, and to use hand and fingers for computer keyboard and phone. Sit or stand for extended periods of time. Reach above head to pull paper attachments.

DISCLAIMER

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Wheels recognizes benefits are a significant part of your employee experience, and we've created a robust benefits package that is market-leading, competitive offerings so you and your family can receive outstanding care. Please click here for an overview of the benefits available to you and your family.

Pay Range:

The base salary range for this position is listed above. This position is eligible to participate in the annual incentive plan which is based on company performance and individual performance. Compensation ranges are based on several factors including job function, level, and geographic location. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including candidate experience, education, certifications, skill level and expertise, and may vary from the amounts listed here.

As one of the largest fleet management companies in North America, Wheels features a portfolio of 900,000+ vehicles under management across the continent, a global alliance in 61 countries, and a client base that consists of some of the best-known businesses in the world. No matter the industry type or business size, we’re proud to work across sales and service fleets, trucks and equipment, and last mile delivery to ensure we power your potential.

The culture at Wheels is the secret to our 80+ years of success. And the reason people choose to join — and stay with — our team.

When you join the team, you'll work with professionals who are passionate, friendly and smart. We foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for all, combined with the encouragement to continuously learn and grow. From day one, we invest in your long-term development through annual performance goals and reviews, educational and wellness programs, awards and celebrations, and more.

Ready to experience the Wheels culture for yourself?

• 10 years average employee tenure

• 10 times recognized as one of Chicago's Best and Brightest Companies to Work For

• 50+ health, wellness and engagement benefits

• 2,500+ online learning programs

Diversity: Wheels deeply values the strength of diversity both in the communities we serve and our own employee base. This includes treating everyone as equal, respecting and valuing diversity, providing equal opportunity and fostering a safe space to work.

Community: We are heavily involved in the communities where we operate. We offer opportunities for employees to make a positive impact through mentorship and tutoring elementary school students, participating in blood drives, donating to United Way and other charitable organizations in the greater Chicagoland and Toronto areas.

Sustainability: Wheels is actively committed to becoming a cleaner fleet management company through recycling programs, public transportation support and more.

We Are Dedicated to the Safety and Health of our Employees

Our employees are critical to delivering on our commitment to client success, which is why we offer a variety of programs focused on the health and wellness of our people.

We hire people who have a customer-focused mindset and a strong collaborative nature. Because at Wheels, customer service and teamwork don't just happen in the office. It is during the informal moments when employee trust is strengthened and friendships are made. We value these moments, which is why we host departmental contests, summer gatherings, family events, holiday celebrations and more.

At Wheels, your well-being is our priority. As part of our commitment to your health and well-being, we’re proud to offer access to the Advocate Health Care Wellness Portal—a personalized platform designed to help you take charge of your health journey.

The 2026 Wellness Program is designed to support you in achieving your personal health goals. Best of all, it’s flexible and fits into your busy lifestyle.

This program is designed to support your overall well-being—physically, emotionally, and financially—by providing tools and incentives that encourage healthy living.