Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager
Eaton · Highland, IL
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Lean / CI
- Base pay
- $113k–$165k
- Degree
- Required
- Certification
- Black Belt preferred
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management continuous improvement role at Eaton (industrial) in Highland, IL.
- They ask for
- degree required · Black Belt preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Black Belt, Kaizen, 5S, Value stream mapping
- Base pay
- $113k–$165k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Lean / CI team at Eaton
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is CI run from the plant floor or from a corporate OpEx group?
- Which metrics does leadership actually watch: OEE, scrap, cost per unit?
- The posting mentions a Black Belt. Does the company sponsor certification?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
About the role
Key responsibilities
include value stream mapping, future-state design, KPI tracking, and facilitating transformation reviews to ensure progress toward operational goals. As a member of the leadership team, the CI Manager champions lean principles, influences peers, manages Eaton’s Operational Excellence Program (OpA), and deploys goals through tiered accountability systems to build a culture of continuous improvement and organizational problem-solving.
In this role you will
- ◆Drive the Operational Excellence (OPEX) strategic vision and roadmaps for the Highland, IL facility
- ◆Provide expertise for Eaton Business System (EBS) tools and training including, EBS Pull, OpA, EBS Assessment, and other tools
- ◆Lead and facilitate Business Operation System (BOS) meetings and agenda to drive continuous improvement
- ◆Drive Cost-Out accountability for the site in alignment with the site’s annual Profit Plan objectives
- ◆Provide support & guidance to the Highland leadership team with Kaizens, problem solving, and ensuring EBS adherence
- ◆Lead the Eaton Continuous Improvement Framework (CIF) deployment (visual controls, process standardization, leader standard work, Gemba walks, manning strategy, daily accountability, process checks and CI for everyone)
- ◆Build ELSS organizational capability and develop local ELSS/CI Tool Champions by providing training and consulting support
- ◆Lead the development and implementation of a plant-wide training plan
- ◆Monitor productivity to ensure that established shift quality and production levels are maintained or exceeded
- ◆Supervise and lead the Maintenance team, which includes performance management, organizational planning, time and attendance management, over-time planning, and general daily work planning.
- ◆Ensure maintenance of records and reports on productivity, quality, and attendance across the shift
- ◆Ensure a safe work environment for all employees, in collaboration with the EHS Manager; Drive and support behavioral based zero incident safety culture
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- ✓Minimum of five (5) years of experience in operations and/or continuous improvement in a manufacturing environment.
- ✓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, H-1B, H-1B cap registration, O-1, E-3, TN status, 1-485 job profitability, etc.
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Technical degree or MS or MBA degree.
- ✓Two (2) years of leadership/supervisory experience.
- ✓Six Sigma Black Belt.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Eaton’s ES GEIS BLD division is currently seeking a Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager. This role is onsite at our Highland, IL facility. Relocation is provided within the United States.
What you’ll do
The CI Manager leads the organization’s lean transformation by driving process improvements that reduce waste, improve material flow, and strengthen operational accountability. This role develops employees' problem-solving capabilities through training, coaching, Kaizen events, and 5S initiatives using the Learn-Do-Teach approach.
Position Criteria
- •Experienced lean professional.
- •Experience deploying lean techniques and continuous improvement in a manufacturing and distribution environment.
- •Experience leading Kaizens & use of basic lean tools such as standard work, TPM, VSM, 5S.
- •Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams.
- •Track record of driving continuous improvements through sustainable processes.
- •Ability to negotiate with all levels of management, both internally and externally.
- •Ability to lead a technical team of Maintenance employees.
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.
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.
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 s