Director of Continuous Improvement

Freeman Company • Chicago, IL, United States • $200k - $250k / year • 2w ago

About Us

Freeman is a global leader in events, on a mission to redefine live for a new era. With a data-driven approach and the industry’s largest network of experts, Freeman’s insights shape exhibitions, exhibits, and events that drive audiences to action. The integrated full-service solutions leverage a 97-year legacy in event management as well as new technologies to deliver moments that matter.

Summary

As Director of Continuous Improvement, you’ll be an instrumental part of the regional E&ES team which is responsible for executing operational requirements for events at branches within the geographic region.

Reporting to the EVP of Operations, this is a highly visible role where you’ll need to use your lean manufacturing, analytical skills, project management experience, and expertise in operational transformation to execute strategy and continuous improvement projects across the region.

This role will support and lead efforts around identifying, planning, developing and implementing quality and continuous improvement practices that deliver improved service, lower costs, improved quality, and ensuring reliability/consistency, with scalability to other regional branches.

This position will support our Event & Exhibit Services team. The position follows an in-person schedule working full-time in-office and/or show site based out of Chicago, IL.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Lead and/or support priority projects (that drive cost efficiency, operational efficiency, better customer service, and/or better controls) as outlined by the business.
As priorities are completed, aid in the identification of new projects to add to the pipeline.
Scope and manage projects day-to-day.
Own key stakeholder relationships (including cross-functional).
Develop knowledge and understanding of risks and dependencies to be able to assess the impact of issues and make useful recommendations to impacted stakeholders.
Partner with various project managers and key stakeholders to develop an agreed engagement and escalation process; include risks and issues where dependencies have been identified.
Analyze existing processes, procedures, and methods to ensure and promote effective business and systems operations through standardization, improvement, simplification, discontinuance, or other possible methods.
Perform evaluations and experiments and collect data to support changes in products/process.
Write experience reports detailing experimental design, results, and conclusions, and present them to appropriate departments and management for review and comments.
Design and develop processes to optimize efficient process flow, reduce process or product variability and costs, improve process capability, and improve employee safety.
Plan, lead, and oversee the activities related to the analysis, design, implementation, execution, and operational management of the projects.
Develop Key Performance Indicators and business processes which will support sustaining improvements into the future.
Ensure that process techniques are in alignment with the corporate goals and quality policy.
Other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

Lean and/or Six Sigma trained (Black Belt).
Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or related field.
Minimum 5 years CI and/or Quality experience of applying problem-solving methodology in work environment.
Proficient at using problem-solving (Lean Six Sigma) tools (see skills).
Strong computer skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
Strong math/computational skills (analytical problem solving).
Professional communicator/presenter/facilitator.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and accurate.
Self-starter with ability to work autonomously and within team structures.
Ability to influence, inspire, and motivate other personnel including when no direct reporting relationship exists.

Travel Requirements

Travel 50% to 75%.

What We Offer

Freeman provides benefits that aim to empower our people and their families to thrive mentally, physically, and financially. These are a handful of the types of programs and benefits our full-time people may be eligible for. There may be some variances in specific benefits across regions.

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance.
Tuition Reimbursement.
Paid Parental Leave.
Life, Accident and Disability.
Retirement with Company Match.
Paid Time Off.

Diversity Commitment

At Freeman, our commitment to diversity and inclusion is helping us to create not only a great place to work, but also an environment where our employees, our customers, and our communities around the world can reach their goals and connect with each other. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, and other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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