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Operational Director Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

AppJaxx

Operations Director

Chicago, IL

Position Overview The Operations Director will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations ... Oversee daily operational activities across sales, marketing, fulfillment, and client success teams.

DHL

Director Operations

Downers Grove, IL · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

The travel requirement for this role is aproximately 75% Data center experience, preferred Director Operations The Director of Operations has a national salary range of $150,000 - $200,000. DHL ...

DPDHL

Director Operations

Dekalb, IL · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

The travel requirement for this role is aproximately 75% Data center experience, preferred Director Operations The Director of Operations has a national salary range of $150,000 - $200,000. DHL ...

Sysco Corporation

Operations Director

Des Plaines, IL · On-site

$114K - $172K/yr

... in operational management experience) * Experience in warehouse and transportation preferred. * Must be willing to relocate to advance into a Vice President of Operations position ABILITIES AND ...

Sysco Northeast Rdc

Operations Director

Des Plaines, IL · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

... in operational management experience) * Experience in warehouse and transportation preferred. * Must be willing to relocate to advance into a Vice President of Operations position ABILITIES AND ...

Sysco

Operations Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

$114K - $172K/yr

... in operational management experience) * Experience in warehouse and transportation preferred. * Must be willing to relocate to advance into a Vice President of Operations position ABILITIES AND ...

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Operational Director information

See Illinois salary details

$32.9K

$104.3K

$173.9K

How much do operational director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for operational director in Illinois is $104,345.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,200.00 and $131,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an operational director?

Operational Directors are senior executives responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of an organization or a specific division. They develop and implement policies, manage budgets, streamline processes, and ensure that operational goals align with the company’s strategic objectives. Operational Directors often supervise department heads, monitor performance metrics, and drive efficiency improvements across the business. Their role is crucial in maintaining high productivity and supporting overall business growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an operational director, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Operational Director, you need strong leadership, strategic planning, and business management skills, typically supported by a relevant degree and extensive managerial experience. Familiarity with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, process optimization tools, and industry-specific certifications such as Six Sigma or PMP is often required. Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities help drive organizational efficiency and motivate teams. These skills and qualifications are crucial for aligning operations with business objectives, ensuring smooth workflows, and achieving sustainable growth.

What are some common challenges faced by operational directors when aligning cross-departmental teams?

Operational Directors frequently encounter challenges in ensuring that different departments, such as finance, HR, and production, work toward unified goals. Miscommunication, varying priorities, and siloed workflows can create obstacles. Successful Operational Directors address these issues by fostering open communication channels, implementing regular cross-functional meetings, and utilizing data-driven performance metrics to align teams. Building strong relationships and a culture of collaboration are also key to overcoming these challenges.

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

The most popular types of Operational jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Operational Director jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Operational Director job openings:

Operational Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Operational Director job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,345 per year, or $50.2 per hour.

Operational Director - Continuous Improvement

Zurn Elkay Water Solutions

Freeport, IL • On-site

$154K - $212K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 hours ago

Job description

Operational Director - Continuous Improvement
The Company
Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation is a thriving, values-driven company focused on doing the right things. We're a fast growing, publicly traded company (NYSE: ZWS), with an enduring reputation for integrity, giving back, and providing an engaging, inclusive environment where careers flourish and grow.
Named by Newsweek as One of America's Most Responsible Companies and an Energage USA Top Workplace, at Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation, we never forget that our people are at the center of what makes us successful. They are the driving force behind our superior quality, product ingenuity, and exceptional customer experience. Our commitment to our people and their professional development is a recipe for success that has fueled our growth for over 100 years, as one of today's leading international suppliers of plumbing and water delivery solutions.
Headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation employs over 2800 employees worldwide, working from 24 locations across the U.S., China, Canada, Dubai, and Mexico, with sales offices available around the globe. We hope you'll visit our website and learn more about Zurn Elkay at zurnelkay.com.
If you're ready to join a company where what you do makes a difference and you have pride in the work you are doing, talk to us about joining the Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation family!
If you are a current employee, please navigate here to apply internally.
About the Role
The Operational Director - Continuous Improvement, reporting to the VP - Continuous Improvement, will lead operational excellence initiatives across Zurn Elkay Water Solutions' Drinking Water Lanark manufacturing plant. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on implementation of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies to drive performance in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and associate engagement. The ideal candidate will have deep experience in manufacturing operations leadership and a proven track record of embedding a culture of continuous improvement and sustainable results.
Key Focus Areas
  • Develop and execute a site-wide continuous improvement roadmap, integrating Lean principles and methodologies (e.g., Kaizen, VDM, 5S, TPM, SMED) into all levels of the organization.
  • Partner closely with the Plant Manager and functional leaders to align daily execution with strategic business goals.
  • Champion a culture of operational excellence through coaching, training, and mentoring of leaders and associates on Lean tools, problem-solving, and waste elimination.
  • Partner with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Maintenance teams to improve production flow, increase equipment uptime, and optimize resource utilization.
  • Lead major improvement initiatives and capital projects aimed at improving manufacturing efficiency, process standardization, and operational reliability.
  • Serve as a key member of the Drinking Water Operations leadership team, sharing best practices and standardizing processes across multiple manufacturing sites.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
  • 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, with at least 5 years in a continuous improvement or operational excellence capacity.
  • Proven track record implementing Lean methodologies and driving measurable operational improvement.
  • Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production planning, and plant performance systems.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, engage teams, and drive cultural change.
  • Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
  • Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher) preferred.

The compensation range(s) identified below are a good faith estimate of the salary expected to be paid as performed from these locations. Actual salaries may vary based on a variety of factors including but not limited to skillset, experience, education and training, and other relevant business and organizational factors.
Salary: $154,406 - $212,308
Total Rewards and Benefits
  • Competitive Salary
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, LTD, AD&D, and Life Insurance
  • Matching 401(k) Contribution
  • Health Savings Account
  • Up to 3 weeks starting Vacation (may increase with tenure)
  • 12 Paid Holidays
  • Annual Bonus Eligibility
  • Educational Reimbursement
  • Matching Gift Program
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan - purchase company stock at a discount!

**THIRD PARTY AGENCY: Any unsolicited submissions received from recruitment agencies will be considered property of Zurn Elkay, and we will not be liable for any fees or obligations related to those submissions.**
Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran

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