Continuous Improvement Manager

gategroup•Schiller Park, IL

1d•$95,000 - $100,000•Onsite

About The Position

We’re looking for motivated, engaged people to help make everyone’s journeys better. Responsible for analyzing material and information flows for the operations unit to identify opportunities for improvement in productivity, material consumption, other operation expenses, quality, safety and space utilization. _ Target Salary Range: $95k - $100k Benefits · Paid time off · 401k, with company match · Company sponsored life insurance · Medical, dental, vision plans · Voluntary short-term/long-term disability insurance · Voluntary life, accident, and hospital plans · Employee Assistance Program · Employee Discounts · Free hot healthy meals for unit operations roles Main Duties and Responsibilities: • Plans and guides Unit management in productivity, material, waste, safety, and quality improvement initiatives; analyzes material and information flows; analyzes opportunities in productivity, material consumption, other operation expenses, and space utilization; quantifies the effects of improved processes, work flows and fore mentioned opportunities • Supports and drives continuous process improvements utilizing Lean Manufacturing principles to maximize departmental efficiencies, minimize waste and improve safety • Responsible for gateOPEX standardization program rollout • Communicates with unit management and leadership team on implementation of changes • Secures relevance and availability of Production System road maps and blue prints • Performs diagnostics on major cost drivers, including material, labor, and OOC • Makes documented proposals for improvements and syndicates with unit management on implementation of changes; responsible for supporting management and associates in the overall change process • Actively practices change management and actively participates in the Unit’s performance management system and dialogue; presents progress and plans to company executives; liaises with corporate and area Continuous Improvement resources • Proposes and keeps up with company Best Practices and benchmark initiatives • Coaches other Continuous Improvement staff and leads training and presentation sessions • Trains and builds capability in all levels of the plant regarding Lean Manufacturing • Works on all related training materials and works with other team members to identify improvements, additions, corrections or clarifications to the training material provided. • Works with Lean Manufacturing tools and techniques, such as 8 Waste (muda), Just in Time (takt-flow-pull), Value Stream Mapping, Kanban system, Problem Solving, FIFO and 5s and workplace organization including layout changes when necessary. • Participates on cross-fertilization with other sites/areas Qualifications Education: • Bachelor’s Degree in Business Economics, Science, Industrial Engineering or a related field required. Work Experience: • Minimum four (4) years’ experience in Lean Manufacturing or related experience as an Industrial Engineer. • Minimum of 2 years supervisory experience working in a high volume, manufacturing, food production, restaurant or catering environment preferred • Experience with leading projects and people across organizations, and maintaining mandatory standards to ensure the safety of products and processes and to improve product quality required • Experience with analyzing operations and its cost drivers, analyzing material and information flows, and analyzing productivity, material consumption, and operation expenses required. • Experience with Lean Manufacturing techniques, including “Just in Time” (takt-flow-pull), 5S and workplace organization as well as value stream mapping and Kanban system preferred. Technical Skills: (Certification, Licenses and Registration) • Must have strong computer skills using Microsoft Office products including Excel • Must be able to work autonomic and have an analytical mind • Ability to work in a fast paced and deadline driven environment • Excellent time management skills required • Ability to handle multiple tasks without losing focus on priorities • Strong organizational, analytical and leadership skills required • Must be innovative in making changes to the operation as needed to further improve the work environment and unit performance • Ability to effectively work with diverse work groups and all levels of the Operation. Exposure to AutoCad a plus • 6-Sigma or Lean Manufacturing Certification preferred. • ServSafe Certification preferred • Ability to obtain ServSafe Certification required Language / Communication Skills: • Excellent oral and written communication skills • Proficiency in Spanish preferred Job Dimensions Geographic Responsibility: Operation Unit Type of Employment: Full-time Travel %: up to 50% of time Exemption Classification: Exempt Internal Relationships: all level of employees in the operation unit External Relationships: customers Work Environment / Requirements of the Job: Normal office environment Budget / Revenue Responsibility: (Local Currency) N/AOrganization Structure Direct Line Manager (Title): BU Leader or GM or Director, OPEX Dotted Line Manager (Title, if applicable): N/A Number of Direct Reports: 0 Number of Dotted Line Reports: 0 Estimated Total Size of Team: 1 gategroup Competencies Required to be Successful in the Job: • Thinking – Information Search and analysis & problem resolution skills • Engaging – Understanding others, Team Leadership and Developing People • Inspiring – Influencing and building relationships, Motivating and Inspiring, Communicating effectively • Achieving – Delivering business results under pressure, Championing Performance Improvement and Customer Focus Demonstrated Values to be Successful in the Position Employees at gategroup are expected to live our Values of Excellence, Integrity, Passion and Accountability. To demonstrate these Values, we expect to observe the following from everyone: • We treat each other with respect and we act with integrity • We communicate and keep each other informed • We put our heads together to problem solve and deliver excellence as a team • We have passion for our work and we pay attention to the little details • We foster an environment of accountability, take responsibility for our actions and learn from our mistakes • We do what we say we will do, when we say we are going to do it • We care about our coworkers, always taking an opportunity to make someone’s day better The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Candidates will be required to go through Pre-employment drug screen, criminal background check, and/or airport fingerprinting. gategroup is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status or other category under applicable law. For further information regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, copy and paste the following URL into your web browser: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf We anticipate that this job will close on: 03/08/2026 For California Residents, please click here to view our California privacy notice. If you want to be part of a team that helps make travel and culinary memories, join us! gategroup is the global leader in airline catering, retail-on-board and hospitality products and services. gategroup provides passengers with superior culinary and retail experiences, leveraging innovation and advanced technology solutions. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, gategroup delivers operational excellence through the most extensive catering network in the aviation industry, serving passengers from over 200 operating units in over 60 countries/territories across all continents. We work in an exciting industry – fast-paced and ever-changing. Industry trends and customer expectations are constantly evolving and it is critical that we are agile, innovative and ready for change - and our people are our driving force. We offer attractive opportunities to be part of this fast-paced and truly international working environment. For further information, please visit www.gategroup.com.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Economics, Science, Industrial Engineering or a related field required.
Minimum four (4) years’ experience in Lean Manufacturing or related experience as an Industrial Engineer.
Minimum of 2 years supervisory experience working in a high volume, manufacturing, food production, restaurant or catering environment preferred
Experience with leading projects and people across organizations, and maintaining mandatory standards to ensure the safety of products and processes and to improve product quality required
Experience with analyzing operations and its cost drivers, analyzing material and information flows, and analyzing productivity, material consumption, and operation expenses required.
Experience with Lean Manufacturing techniques, including “Just in Time” (takt-flow-pull), 5S and workplace organization as well as value stream mapping and Kanban system preferred.
Must have strong computer skills using Microsoft Office products including Excel
Must be able to work autonomic and have an analytical mind
Ability to work in a fast paced and deadline driven environment
Excellent time management skills required
Ability to handle multiple tasks without losing focus on priorities
Strong organizational, analytical and leadership skills required
Must be innovative in making changes to the operation as needed to further improve the work environment and unit performance
Ability to effectively work with diverse work groups and all levels of the Operation.
Ability to obtain ServSafe Certification required
Excellent oral and written communication skills

Nice To Haves

Exposure to AutoCad a plus
6-Sigma or Lean Manufacturing Certification preferred.
ServSafe Certification preferred
Proficiency in Spanish preferred

Responsibilities

Plans and guides Unit management in productivity, material, waste, safety, and quality improvement initiatives; analyzes material and information flows; analyzes opportunities in productivity, material consumption, other operation expenses, and space utilization; quantifies the effects of improved processes, work flows and fore mentioned opportunities
Supports and drives continuous process improvements utilizing Lean Manufacturing principles to maximize departmental efficiencies, minimize waste and improve safety
Responsible for gateOPEX standardization program rollout
Communicates with unit management and leadership team on implementation of changes
Secures relevance and availability of Production System road maps and blue prints
Performs diagnostics on major cost drivers, including material, labor, and OOC
Makes documented proposals for improvements and syndicates with unit management on implementation of changes; responsible for supporting management and associates in the overall change process
Actively practices change management and actively participates in the Unit’s performance management system and dialogue; presents progress and plans to company executives; liaises with corporate and area Continuous Improvement resources
Proposes and keeps up with company Best Practices and benchmark initiatives
Coaches other Continuous Improvement staff and leads training and presentation sessions
Trains and builds capability in all levels of the plant regarding Lean Manufacturing
Works on all related training materials and works with other team members to identify improvements, additions, corrections or clarifications to the training material provided.
Works with Lean Manufacturing tools and techniques, such as 8 Waste (muda), Just in Time (takt-flow-pull), Value Stream Mapping, Kanban system, Problem Solving, FIFO and 5s and workplace organization including layout changes when necessary.
Participates on cross-fertilization with other sites/areas