Program Manager Process Improvement Jobs in Chicago, IL

The Director Quality and Process Improvement provides strategic and operational leadership for all quality assurance, process improvement, change management, Lean/Kaizen activities, contract compliance, operational training activities, and key operational projects across Goodwill Great Lakes.

RESPONSIBILITY LEVEL:

Provides strategic and operational leadership for all quality assurance, process improvement, change management, Lean/Kaizen activities, contract compliance, operational training activities, and key operational projects across Goodwill Great Lakes.  This role is responsible for developing and executing strategies that drive continuous improvement, ensures contractual and regulatory compliance, and foster a culture of excellence through Lean/Kaizen methodologies and quality management systems.  Manages expenses based on changes in internal or external factors and communicates budgetary performance. Typically works on projects and initiatives that span 2-5 years. Responsible for integration of systems, operational metrics and analysis.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

1. Lead strategic planning, prioritization, and activities for all quality and process improvement initiatives across multiple locations and departments. Oversee and reenergize the Kaizen culture and Lean strategy execution, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with contract and Goodwill program objectives. 

2. Oversee the design, strategy, and execution of operational training programs to ensure staff are properly trained and processes are consistent and effective

3. Identify, lead, and oversee the completion of large or special projects, develop monthly, weekly and daily reports, analyze data recommending changes and provide strategic planning and direction for those activities.

4. Directs and oversees Great Lakes  quality and continuous improvement policies, objectives, and operational initiatives including acting as a point of contract with senior management and stakeholders for those initiatives as well as Great Lakes safety objectives and other initiatives as assigned.

5. Work with the SVP, Executive Directors, Directors, and Assistant Directors to strategize, prioritize, and help drive overall Great Lakes operational and mission strategies.

6. Work proactively to anticipate issues and continuously improve Great Lakes in conjunction with overall organization efforts; assess and continuously improve division s effectiveness to ensure business units  needs are being meet.

7. Maintain positive working relationships with internal and external customers, vendors, government and other agencies and community organizations

8. Oversee the Quality Control Plan for the Food and Logistic Services contract. This includes ensuring division wide compliance with all requirements and update as needed to reflect changes due to improvements or newly implemented customer requirements

9. Ensure customer service standards are met, as stated in contract. Monitor service through established methods to identify trends and work with key staff to resolve areas of opportunity with service issues in a timely manner.

10. Oversee and maintain contractual compliance, using the Quality Control Plan & Food Safety Program (HACCP) for monitoring contract performance and developing and implementing SOPs to standardize all aspects of operations.

11. Ensures that operations are conducted in accordance with Federal Contracting Laws and AbilityOne Program requirements.

12. Leading and Developing Talent: Manages organizational design for area of responsibility and directs talent planning, hiring, development and training of staff.  May participate in succession planning discussions. Networks and sources for positions throughout the organization. 

13. Project and Change Management: Serves as project owner for high complexity department, cross-functional or multi-location projects and improvement initiatives. Set project direction including project scope, timeline and resources. Accountable for making decisions and project success. Manages change through effective planning, communication and coaching. Builds and participates in leadership coalition supporting and implementing organizational change.

14. Community Engagement: Actively engages with community partners and links activities to business performance.

15. Responsible for completing other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Bachelor s Degree in Business Administration or experience equivalency. A minimum of 8 years  experience. Preferred quality assurance, organizational leadership, or industrial engineering, or a minimum of 10 years  directly related experience, and a minimum of 5 years  relevant experience.

2. Proven track record in project management, change management, quality assurance, and/or strategic planning. 

3. Expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.

4. Six Sigma Black Belt certification strongly preferred, or have the ability to obtain certification within 12 months of hire

5. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data analytics tools

6. Ability to manage ambiguity, drive change, and deliver results under pressure

7. Required to obtain a Common Access Card (CAC) within 90 days of date of hire, pursuant to US Navy security guidelines. Inability to obtain CAC card may result in removal and/or termination from position.

8. A REAL ID-compliant driver s license or identification card is required for access to the naval installation and for employment. Candidates must provide proof of this identification.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

1. Business Insight: Demonstrates thorough business/industry knowledge and can synthesize business information and respond to changing market dynamics effectively. Proactively monitors external factors and policies that may affect the organization. Uses knowledge to plan work and guide decision making.

2. Courage: Fosters a culture that supports people taking well-reasoned risks, regardless of outcome and appropriately advocates for decisions that are for the good of the organization. Confronts actions that are inconsistent with the Guiding Principles and demonstrates the ability to provide leadership through high-stakes situations, crises, or conditions of uncertainty. 

CORE CULTURAL COMPETENCIES:

1. Customer Focus: Fosters a customer service-focused environment with a sense of urgency and importance of meeting the customer s needs. Establishes organizational partnerships with key customers and ensures resources and support are focused on meeting customer needs.

2. Values Differences: Cultivates an environment that makes all people feel valued and that encourages and supports diversity and inclusion. Sponsors and mentors people from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. Applies understanding of cultural differences to create value and help meet business goals.

3. Communicates Effectively: Promotes a free flow of information throughout the organization and demonstrates candor and openness when discussing major organizational initiatives. Creates venues for constructive dialogue and ensures organizational information is cascaded to a wide variety of audiences at all levels.

4. Situational Adaptability: Demonstrates flexibility in a changing, competitive environment and initiates change in response to the cues in the external environment. Adapts leadership style in response to a broad range of situations and challenges that ingrains flexibility within the organizations structures, systems and culture.

5. Drives Results: Drives organization to achieve results that have a direct impact on business performance. Pushes the organization to move forward in difficult circumstances and eliminates obstacles that affect organizational performance. 

6. Ensures Accountability: ensures the organization meets commitments and holds leaders accountable for team performance. Sets and monitors goals that align with organizational strategy creating an environment of accountability for meeting agreed upon expectations and performance expectations.

PHYSICAL/SENSORY DEMANDS:

Job requires the following: remain stationary for sustained periods of time; ability to move about to accomplish tasks; must be able to operate a computer or similar technology, which typically involves substantial motions of wrist, hands and/or fingers; visual acuity to perform activities such as preparing data, operating equipment or review thoroughness of work; ability to communicate with others and exchange information. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

When determining placement within the salary range for this position Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago considers education, experience, internal equity, market demands and other qualifying criteria. It is not typical for individuals to be hired at or near the top of the rage for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on facts and circumstances of each case.

 Certain roles are eligible to participate in an incentive plan. Participation in this plan does not guarantee an incentive payment and is subject to the terms and conditions of the plan, which are subject to change.

In addition to compensation, we offer a competitive benefit program that may include medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, retirement plan, paid time off (PTO) and more. The specifics of each benefit package will vary depending on factors such as full or part time jobs, contracted, temporary, or other job categories.

Equal Opportunity Employer

(SEW)