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Operational Excellence Project Manager Jobs in Bloomington, IL

Eaton

Operational Excellence Manager (OPEX)

Lincoln, IL · On-site

$130K - $190K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

... Operational Excellence (OPEX) Manager for our Lincoln, IL manufacturing facility. Relocation ... Project management experience or PMP certification. * Experience or certification in Total ...

Farnsworth Group

Surveying Project Manager

Normal, IL · Hybrid

$95K - $125K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

A surveying project manager is licensed professional surveyor that is responsible for the ... Our success is built on our people - their passion, creativity, and commitment to excellence. Here ...

Farnsworth Group

Surveying Project Manager

Normal, IL · On-site

$95K - $125K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

A surveying project manager is licensed professional surveyor that is responsible for the ... Our success is built on our people - their passion, creativity, and commitment to excellence. Here ...

Steak 'n Shake Morton

Area Manager

Morton, IL

$65K - $105K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

As a Restaurant Area Manager, you drive operational excellence, people development, and financial performance across multiple restaurant locations. Prior multi-unit leadership is a must. This role ...

Steak 'n Shake Morton

Area Manager

Morton, IL · On-site

$65K - $105K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

As a Restaurant Area Manager, you drive operational excellence, people development, and financial performance across multiple restaurant locations. Prior multi-unit leadership is a must. This role ...

Walmart

(USA) Realty Project Coach

Farmer City, IL · On-site

$60K - $110K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Bachelor's degree in business or related field and 1 year of experience in project management, space management, store design, operations, data analysis, or related area OR 3 years of experience in ...

Walmart

(USA) Realty Project Coach

Farmer City, IL · On-site

$60K - $110K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Bachelor's degree in business or related field and 1 year of experience in project management, space management, store design, operations, data analysis, or related area OR 3 years of experience in ...

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All JobsOperational Excellence Project JobsOperational Excellence Project Manager JobsOperational Excellence Project Manager Jobs in Bloomington, IL

Operational Excellence Project Manager information

See Bloomington, IL salary details

$37.4K

$91.9K

$147.2K

How much do operational excellence project manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for operational excellence project manager in Bloomington, IL is $91,851.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,900.00 and $104,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an operational excellence project manager do?

An Operational Excellence Project Manager is responsible for leading initiatives that improve efficiency, productivity, and quality within an organization. They use methodologies like Lean, Six Sigma, or Kaizen to identify areas for improvement and implement process changes. Their role often involves analyzing data, managing cross-functional teams, and ensuring that projects align with the company’s strategic goals. They help create a culture of continuous improvement and drive sustainable results across various departments.

How does an operational excellence project manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement process improvements?

Operational Excellence Project Managers regularly work with stakeholders from various departments such as operations, finance, IT, and quality assurance to identify inefficiencies and drive process improvements. This collaboration often involves facilitating workshops, leading Kaizen events, and aligning team members around common goals using methodologies like Lean or Six Sigma. Successful project managers build strong communication channels, ensure clear documentation, and foster a culture of continuous improvement so that all team members are engaged and accountable throughout the change process.

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

To thrive as an Operational Excellence Project Manager, you need strong project management expertise, process improvement knowledge (such as Lean or Six Sigma), and a background in business or engineering. Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Asana), process mapping software, and certifications like PMP or Lean Six Sigma are often required. Exceptional communication, analytical thinking, and leadership skills help drive change and engage cross-functional teams. These competencies are critical for successfully executing initiatives that boost efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure sustainable organizational improvements.

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

AspectOperational Excellence Project ManagerContinuous Improvement Specialist
CertificationsLean, Six Sigma, PMPLean, Six Sigma, Kaizen
Work EnvironmentProject teams, cross-functional departmentsOperational teams, process improvement groups
Industry UsageManufacturing, healthcare, financeManufacturing, service industries, logistics

The Operational Excellence Project Manager oversees large-scale projects to improve efficiency and processes across departments, often managing multiple initiatives. The Continuous Improvement Specialist focuses on ongoing process enhancements within specific teams or areas, emphasizing incremental improvements. Both roles require Lean and Six Sigma certifications and work in similar industries, but their scope and responsibilities differ in scale and focus.

What cities near Bloomington, IL are hiring for Operational Excellence Project Manager jobs?

Cities near Bloomington, IL with the most Operational Excellence Project Manager job openings:

Operational Excellence Project Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Operational Excellence Project Manager job openings in Bloomington, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,851 per year, or $44.2 per hour.

Operational Excellence Manager (OPEX)

Eaton

Lincoln, IL • On-site

$130K - $190K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 19 days ago

Eaton rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 224 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

199th of 540 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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