Operations Excellence Manager Jobs in Illinois
Operations Excellence Manager jobs in Illinois are consistently active, with demand concentrated in manufacturing, logistics, food and beverage processing, and healthcare operations across seniority levels from continuous improvement coordinator through senior director. Chicago, Peoria, and Rockford anchor most of the hiring, where established employers like Caterpillar, Kraft Heinz, and Abbott have deep operational footprints and ongoing need for process improvement leadership. The most in-demand specialties in Illinois include Lean Six Sigma program management, supply chain optimization, and quality management system implementation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Position Responsibilities:
- Own the enterprise field sales program calendar and sequence rollouts across business units to maximize adoption and minimize conflicts
- Defines rollout standards, completion evidence, readiness criteria, and adoption
- Represents field sales interests in technology
- Lead a large team of Sales Operations Managers through a matrix model, not direct reporting authority
- Runs weekly divisional forums, monthly all-manager sessions, and quarterly in-person sessions
- Owns the Sales Operations Manager job standard, competency bar,onboarding, and certification
- Ability to travel approximately 50%
- Other projects or duties as assigned
- Bachelor's Degree with 10 plus years of related experience and 6 plus years of leadership experience or High School Diploma/General Education Degree (GED) with 13 plus years of specific experience and 8 plus years of leadership experience
- Master’s Degree
See All 7 Operations Excellence Manager Jobs in Illinois
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Find JobsOperations Excellence Manager Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Operations Excellence Manager Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
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What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in operations excellence manager jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, operations management, or a related field required
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Green Belt certification strongly preferred by Illinois employers
- Five or more years of experience leading process improvement initiatives in a manufacturing or operations environment
- Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional teams and drive measurable efficiency gains
- Proficiency with data analysis tools such as Minitab, Power BI, or similar platforms
- Experience with quality management systems such as ISO 9001 or industry-specific Illinois regulatory frameworks
Operations Excellence Manager Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a operations excellence manager in Illinois?
Most operations excellence managers in Illinois enter the role through a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, operations management, or business, followed by several years in process improvement or manufacturing roles. Illinois employers place significant weight on Lean Six Sigma certification, with Black Belt credentials from accredited bodies like ASQ being the most recognized pathway into senior positions. Building experience in industries dominant in Illinois, such as manufacturing, food processing, or healthcare operations, accelerates advancement considerably.
How much do operations excellence managers make in Illinois?
Operations 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 operations excellence managers in Illinois?
Employers hiring operations excellence managers in Illinois right now include 3M, Home Chef, and Reyes Holdings, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's dense manufacturing corridor and large corporate headquarters presence, particularly in the Chicago metro and the Peoria-Decatur industrial belt, mean that openings appear regularly across both Fortune 500 companies and mid-size industrial firms.
Which Illinois cities have the most operations excellence manager jobs?
Chicago, DeKalb, and Schaumburg account for the largest concentration of operations excellence manager openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates due to its headquarters density and diverse industrial base, while Peoria draws significant demand from heavy equipment and manufacturing employers, and Rockford's aerospace and machining sector supports a steady pipeline of continuous improvement roles throughout the year.
Are there remote operations excellence manager jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Operations excellence managers typically work on-site because the role requires direct observation of production lines, facility processes, and cross-functional teams. About 50% of operations excellence manager openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most positions. The parts of the role most likely to shift remote are data analysis, reporting, and project coordination with corporate stakeholders.
How can I get hired as a operations excellence manager in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an adjacent operations role such as production supervisor, quality technician, or supply chain analyst at an Illinois manufacturer, then pursuing internal continuous improvement projects to build a visible record. Large Illinois employers like Caterpillar and Abbott run rotational operations development programs for recent graduates. Earning a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt credential while in an entry-level role substantially strengthens candidacy and is widely recognized by Illinois hiring managers as a signal of readiness for dedicated excellence functions.
Where can I find and apply to operations excellence manager jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to operations excellence manager jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across Chicago, Peoria, Rockford, and surrounding areas. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly through the listings.
See All 7 Operations Excellence Manager Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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