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Manager Of Operational Excellence Jobs in Springfield, IL

Eaton

Operational Excellence Manager (OPEX)

Lincoln, IL · On-site

$130K - $190K/yr

... Operational Excellence (OPEX) Manager for our Lincoln, IL manufacturing facility. Relocation ... Build a culture of structured problem solving through leader standard work, daily accountability ...

New

TriSearch

Director Of Operations

Springfield, IL

$120K - $150K/yr

Proven record of change management, operational excellence and continuous improvement achievements. * Demonstrated inspirational leadership experience with core values centered on a participative ...

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How much do manager of operational excellence jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for manager of operational excellence in Springfield, IL is $22.04, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.92 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Manager of Operational Excellence, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Manager of Operational Excellence, you need expertise in process improvement methodologies (such as Lean, Six Sigma), analytical skills, and a background in business or engineering, often supported by relevant certifications. Familiarity with tools like process mapping software, statistical analysis systems, and project management platforms is typical. Strong leadership, communication, and change management abilities are critical soft skills for driving cross-functional initiatives. These skills are essential to effectively streamline operations, foster continuous improvement, and achieve organizational goals.

What is the difference between Manager Of Operational Excellence vs Process Improvement Manager?

AspectManager Of Operational ExcellenceProcess Improvement Manager
CredentialsTypically requires Six Sigma, Lean certifications, or similarOften holds Six Sigma, Lean, or project management certifications
Work EnvironmentWorks across departments to optimize overall operationsFocuses on specific processes or departments for efficiency
Industry UsageCommon in manufacturing, healthcare, and large corporationsUsed in manufacturing, logistics, and service industries
Search & Comparison IntentInterested in broad operational strategies and enterprise improvementsFocused on specific process enhancements and project outcomes

The Manager Of Operational Excellence oversees comprehensive operational strategies, often involving multiple processes and departments, while the Process Improvement Manager concentrates on optimizing specific workflows. Both roles require similar certifications and are prevalent in manufacturing and large organizations, but their scope and focus differ.

What is a Manager of Operational Excellence?

A Manager of Operational Excellence is a professional responsible for improving an organization's processes, efficiency, and effectiveness. They use methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement to identify areas for enhancement and drive change initiatives. Their goal is to create a culture of ongoing improvement, reduce waste, and ensure optimal performance across operations. They often collaborate with different departments to implement best practices and measure success through key performance indicators (KPIs).

How does a Manager of Operational Excellence typically drive cross-departmental collaboration to implement process improvements?

A Manager of Operational Excellence frequently partners with teams across departments, such as production, quality, supply chain, and IT, to identify inefficiencies and implement standardized processes. They lead workshops, facilitate communication among stakeholders, and use data-driven approaches like Lean or Six Sigma to align objectives and track progress. Successful collaboration is key to gaining buy-in for changes and ensuring improvements are sustainable, often requiring strong interpersonal and project management skills.
Manager Of Operational Excellence jobs near you

Operational Excellence Manager (OPEX)

Eaton

Lincoln, IL • On-site

$130K - $190K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 3 days ago

New

Eaton rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 222 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

226th of 536 rated manufacturers

Job description

Eaton's Electrical Sector - Residential Wiring Devices Division is seeking an Operational Excellence (OPEX) Manager for our Lincoln, IL manufacturing facility. Relocation assistance is available to candidates currently residing in the US.
In this highly visible plant leadership role, you will champion the Eaton Continuous Improvement System (ECIS), Eaton Business System (EBS), Lean, and Six Sigma to build a strong culture of problem solving, operational discipline, and sustainable performance improvement. This role is ideal for a hands-on continuous improvement leader who can coach teams, translate strategy into action, and deliver measurable results across safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, customer satisfaction, and employee engagement.
As the site's OPEX leader, you will partner directly with the plant leadership team to shape the continuous improvement roadmap, strengthen daily management systems, develop talent, and accelerate business results in a complex manufacturing environment that produces critical electrical products for residential and commercial applications.
The expected annual salary range for this role is $130,000 - $190,000 a year. This position is also eligible for a variable incentive program. Please note the salary information shown above is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
What you'll do:
  • Champion ECIS, EBS, Lean, and Six Sigma across the site to deliver short- and long-term improvements in safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, working capital, and customer satisfaction.
  • Partner with the plant leadership team to develop, deploy, and sustain the site's continuous improvement strategy, governance process, and annual improvement priorities.
  • Build a culture of structured problem solving through leader standard work, daily accountability, visual management, process checks, Gemba walks, and disciplined follow-up.
  • Serve as the site expert and champion for the Eaton Business System, helping leaders connect business priorities to practical operating routines and improvement actions.
  • Lead Operational Assessment (OpA) preparation, execution, and follow-up by identifying gaps, building action plans, and sustaining progress across the organization.
  • Use Lean and Six Sigma tools to eliminate waste, improve flow, reduce variation, and strengthen operational performance across manufacturing and functional processes.
  • Coach, train, and mentor employees and leaders through Kaizen events, Rapid Improvement Events (RIE), Six Sigma projects, benchmarking, leader standard work deployment, and capability-building activities.
  • Analyze operational metrics, identify performance gaps, and recommend data-driven action plans that improve results and sustain accountability at the operating level.
  • Lead site cost-out and productivity initiatives to achieve annual savings commitments and support long-term financial performance.
  • Influence and engage cross-functional teams by translating complex improvement opportunities into clear priorities, practical actions, and measurable outcomes.

Qualifications:
Required (Basic) Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
  • Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in manufacturing, operations, engineering, quality, supply chain, or another cross-functional discipline in a manufacturing environment.
  • Minimum of three (3) years of experience in continuous improvement, Lean, Six Sigma, or operational excellence.
  • Minimum of three (3) years of experience leading people, projects, and cross-functional teams.
  • Eaton will not consider applicants for employment immigration sponsorship or support for this position. This means that Eaton will not support any CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT plans, F-1 to H-1B, H-1B cap registration, O-1, E-3, TN status, I-485 job portability, etc.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master's degree from an accredited institution.
  • Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
  • Project management experience or PMP certification.
  • Experience or certification in Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), set-up reduction, structured problem solving, Kaizen, or Lean material flow.

Skills:
  • Strong understanding of Lean management systems and their connection to business strategy, daily operations, and waste elimination.
  • Broad knowledge of Lean tools and principles, including value stream mapping, 5S/workplace organization, continuous flow manufacturing, set-up reduction, TPM, error proofing, pull systems, and standardized work.
  • Proven analytical, facilitation, and problem-solving skills with the ability to turn data into action.
  • Ability to prioritize multiple time-critical tasks and maintain momentum across several improvement initiatives.
  • Ability to lead, influence, and develop cross-functional process improvement teams across all levels of the organization.
  • Working knowledge of business systems, financial drivers, industrial engineering, and manufacturing operations and processes.
  • Excellent communication and change leadership skills, with the ability to coach, challenge, and inspire teams in a manufacturing environment.
  • Ability to apply structured problem-solving methods, including 8D and statistical analysis, to define root causes, validate solutions, and prevent recurrence.
  • Comfortable operating as both a strategic partner and a hands-on coach on the shop floor.

Why candidates will be interested:
  • High-impact plant leadership role with direct visibility to site strategy and performance.
  • Opportunity to shape the continuous improvement roadmap for a large, established manufacturing facility.
  • Role focused on developing people, strengthening operating systems, and delivering measurable business results.

All positions may require participation in video and in-person interviews as part of the hiring process. All candidates will be evaluated based on job-related competencies, and all candidates' privacy rights and data security will be protected in accordance with applicable laws.
We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.
Eaton believes in second chance employment. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction history will be considered regardless of their arrest or conviction history, consistent with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act and other local laws.
You do not need to disclose your conviction history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Eaton is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.
To request a disability-related reasonable accommodation to assist you in your job search, application, or interview process, please call us at 1-800-836-6345 to discuss your specific need. Only accommodation requests will be accepted by this phone number.
We know that good benefit programs are important to employees and their families. Eaton provides various Health and Welfare benefits as well as Retirement benefits, and several programs that provide for paid and unpaid time away from work. Click here for more detail: Eaton Benefits Overview. Please note that specific programs and options available to an employee may depend on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

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About Eaton

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cleveland, OH, US

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