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Manager Operational Excellence Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Operational Excellence Fall Intern

Aurora, IL

$14.75 - $19.25/hr

The Operational Excellence Intern provides support for Lean manufacturing and continuous ... Support 5S activities to enhance workplace organization and visual management. * Assist with 3P ...

Operational Excellence Fall Intern

Aurora, IL · On-site

$14.75 - $19.25/hr

The Operational Excellence Intern provides support for Lean manufacturing and continuous ... Support 5S activities to enhance workplace organization and visual management. * Assist with 3P ...

Showing results 21-40

Manager Operational Excellence information

See Illinois salary details

$13

$21

$36

How much do manager operational excellence jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for manager operational excellence in Illinois is $21.55, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.54 and $23.51 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a manager operational excellence?

A Manager of Operational Excellence is responsible for leading initiatives that improve an organization's processes, efficiency, and productivity. They use methodologies like Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement to identify areas of waste or inefficiency and implement solutions. This role often involves working cross-functionally to drive change, train teams, and ensure that best practices are adopted throughout the organization. The goal is to enhance performance, quality, and customer satisfaction while reducing costs.

How does a manager operational excellence typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive process improvements?

Managers of Operational Excellence work closely with various departments such as production, quality, finance, and IT to identify inefficiencies and implement best practices. They often lead workshops, facilitate root cause analyses, and coordinate continuous improvement initiatives that require input from different functional areas. Effective communication and stakeholder engagement are essential, as these managers must align diverse teams around common goals and encourage a culture of ongoing improvement. This collaborative approach not only helps achieve operational targets but also fosters strong working relationships across the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a manager operational excellence, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Manager Operational Excellence, you need a solid background in process improvement methodologies (such as Lean or Six Sigma), analytical problem-solving, and a relevant bachelor's degree—often in business or engineering. Familiarity with process mapping tools, data analytics platforms, and certifications like Lean Six Sigma Black Belt are typically expected. Strong leadership, communication, and change management skills set outstanding candidates apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for driving efficiency, fostering continuous improvement, and ensuring sustainable organizational success.

What is the difference between Manager Operational Excellence vs Continuous Improvement Manager?

AspectManager Operational ExcellenceContinuous Improvement Manager
Primary FocusOptimizing overall operational processes and strategic initiativesImplementing specific process improvements and incremental changes
CertificationsLean, Six Sigma, PMP often preferredLean, Six Sigma, Kaizen certifications common
Work EnvironmentCross-departmental, strategic planningProject-based, team-focused
Industry UsageManufacturing, healthcare, financeManufacturing, service industries, logistics

The Manager Operational Excellence role typically involves overseeing broad strategic initiatives to improve overall efficiency across departments, often requiring higher-level certifications and strategic planning skills. In contrast, the Continuous Improvement Manager focuses on implementing specific process improvements and incremental changes within teams or projects. Both roles share similar certifications and industry usage but differ mainly in scope and strategic involvement.

What are the most commonly searched types of Operational Excellence jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Operational Excellence jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Manager Operational Excellence jobs in Illinois?

For Manager Operational Excellence jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Manager Operational Excellence jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Manager Operational Excellence jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Manager Operational Excellence jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Manager Operational Excellence job openings:

Infographic showing various Manager Operational Excellence job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,816 per year, or $21.5 per hour.

Operational Excellence Fall Intern

Ametek

Aurora, IL

$14.75 - $19.25/hr

Internship

Posted 21 days ago


AMETEK rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

92nd of 160 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

Come Work With Us!

The Operational Excellence Intern provides support for Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement activities across operations. Assists with the execution of structured improvement events and data collection efforts to drive process efficiency, workplace organization, and visual management.

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Participate in the planning and execution of Lean initiatives across manufacturing and support areas.
  • Support 5S activities to enhance workplace organization and visual management.
  • Assist with 3P (Production Preparation Process) efforts to improve layout and workflow efficiency.
  • Contribute to Kaizen events and waste walks focused on identifying and eliminating inefficiencies.
  • Update and maintain Value Stream Maps (VSM) to reflect current and future state processes.
  • Conduct time studies, spaghetti diagrams, and process mapping to support data-driven decision-making.
  • Help build and sustain visual management tools including Daily Boards, Standard Work, and action trackers.
  • Document event outcomes and prepare summary reports for leadership review.

Requirements: 

  • Actively pursuing a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field.
  • Foundational knowledge of Lean principles and tools including 5S, 3P, Kaizen, Standard Work.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, interpret, and present process data.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills; able to engage across all levels of the organization.
  • Self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

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