Operational Excellence Manager Jobs in Illinois
Operational Excellence Manager jobs in Illinois are active and competitive, with strong demand concentrated in manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and logistics, from early-career process improvement analysts stepping into management through seasoned directors of operational excellence. Chicago, Peoria, and Deerfield anchor most of the hiring, where established employers like Abbott, Caterpillar, and Baxter International run continuous improvement programs at scale. Lean Six Sigma deployment, supply chain optimization, and quality management systems are the most consistently sought specialties across Illinois employers. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Full time
Shift:
Day Shift
Description:
Project Manager - Operational Excellence
Turn ideas into results. Partner with leaders, improve processes, and help shape a better healthcare experience for patients and colleagues alike.
At Loyola Medicine, we are seeking a results-driven Project Manager to lead strategic initiatives that enhance operational performance, improve processes, and support our mission of delivering exceptional patient care. In this role, you will partner with leaders and cross-functional teams across the organization to drive complex projects from concept through implementation, ensuring successful outcomes that positively impact patients, colleagues, and the communities we serve.
The ideal candidate is a collaborative problem-solver who thrives in a fast-paced environment, excels at managing multiple priorities, and is passionate about leading change through innovation, data-driven decision-making, and operational excellence.
What you'll do
- Lead medium to large-scale projects that support strategic, operational, and patient care initiatives across Loyola Medicine.
- Partner with clinical, operational, and executive leaders to define project goals, manage priorities, and deliver successful outcomes.
- Develop and oversee project plans, timelines, budgets, and resources to ensure projects stay on track and within scope.
- Facilitate cross-functional teams, remove barriers, and drive accountability throughout the project lifecycle.
- Analyze challenges, identify opportunities for improvement, and recommend innovative, data-driven solutions.
- Communicate project progress, risks, and results to stakeholders and senior leadership.
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
- 1-2 years of project management, process improvement, healthcare operations, or related experience.
- Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively with diverse teams.
- Master's degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Public Health, or a related discipline.
- 3-5 years of project management experience, preferably within healthcare or a complex organizational environment.
- Experience leading cross-functional projects and driving process improvement initiatives.
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Lean Six Sigma Certification
- Benefits from Day One (Medical and Dental)
- Daily Pay (NEW)
- Competitive Shift Differentials
- Career Development
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Participation in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- 403(b) with Employer Match
- On Site Fitness Center (Gottlieb Memorial Hospital& LUMC)
- Referral Rewards
- Perks Program
- Contribute to a nationally recognized academic health system committed to delivering exceptional care while advancing operational excellence.
- Manage enterprise-wide projects that improve efficiency, optimize workflows, reduce waste, and enhance the patient and colleague experience.
- Collaborate with executive leadership, clinical teams, and operational stakeholders to drive transformational change and achieve measurable results.
- Grow your career in an environment that embraces Lean methodologies, continuous improvement, innovation, and leadership development.
Actual compensation will fall within the range but may vary based on factors such as experience, qualifications, education, location, licensure, certification requirements, and comparisons to colleagues in similar roles.
Benefits:
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Our Commitment
Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.
See All 20 Operational Excellence Manager Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsOperational Excellence Manager Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Operational Excellence Manager Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring


Top Industries Hiring
- Retail
- Manufacturing
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in operational excellence manager jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or operations management required
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification strongly preferred by Illinois employers
- Three or more years leading process improvement or continuous improvement initiatives
- Experience with manufacturing, healthcare, or logistics operations in Illinois industries
- Proficiency in data analysis tools such as Minitab, Excel, or Power BI
- Strong project management skills with demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams
Operational Excellence Manager Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a operational excellence manager in Illinois?
The concrete path in Illinois starts with a bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or operations management, followed by hands-on experience in a process improvement or quality role. Illinois does not require a state-issued license for this position. Most hiring managers in Illinois expect a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt at minimum, with Black Belt credentials opening doors at larger manufacturers and health systems. Building experience in a Lean coordinator or quality analyst role at an Illinois company first is the most common route.
How much do operational excellence managers make in Illinois?
Operational excellence managers in Illinois earn a median of about $103,570 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $53,240 for the lowest 10% to over $269,320 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire operational excellence managers in Illinois?
Employers hiring operational excellence managers in Illinois right now include Augmentis, Afni, and Integrated Project Management Company, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Illinois's dense concentration of manufacturers, hospital networks, and financial services firms means demand for the role stays consistent across multiple sectors throughout the year.
Which Illinois cities have the most operational excellence manager jobs?
Chicago, Bloomington, and Monee have the most operational excellence manager openings in Illinois. Chicago drives the majority of listings because of its headquarters-heavy business environment and large hospital systems, while Peoria reflects Caterpillar's global manufacturing operations and Deerfield draws demand from pharmaceutical and healthcare employers like Baxter and Walgreens headquartered in the northern suburbs.
Are there remote operational excellence manager jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely desk-based fields because the role often requires direct observation of operations, floor-level kaizen events, and in-person team facilitation. About 71% of operational excellence manager openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, with most remote-eligible positions focused on data analysis, reporting, and program design rather than hands-on process deployment.
How can I get hired as a operational excellence manager in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a quality analyst, process improvement coordinator, or operations analyst role at a mid-size Illinois manufacturer or hospital system, then building toward management from within. Large Illinois employers like Advocate Health Care and Caterpillar run structured rotational and associate operations programs that place candidates without direct management experience. Earning a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt through an Illinois community college or online program before applying gives candidates a measurable edge over other entry-level applicants.
Where can I find and apply to operational excellence manager jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to operational excellence manager jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across industries and experience levels. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to each employer through the listing.
See All 20 Operational Excellence Manager Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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