Sr. Director, Business Excellence

Job Description:

The Sr. Director of Business Excellence is a strategic leader responsible for driving enterprise-wide improvements in operational efficiency, quality, cost, and organizational culture. This role leads a Business Excellence team and partners cross-functionally to design and implement best-in-class process improvement, lean transformation, and change management initiatives. The ideal candidate brings a blend of operational rigor, innovative thinking, and strong leadership to elevate performance and embed a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organization.

This individual must demonstrate strong executive presence and the ability to effectively navigate and influence the priorities of the Executive Leadership Team. They will need the courage to respectfully challenge assumptions, raise risks, and push for the right outcomes—even when it may be uncomfortable or unpopular.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Strategic Leadership & Culture Building
  • Champion a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and customer-centric thinking across all business units
  • Partner with executive leadership to define, align, and measure strategic improvement initiatives that drive tangible business value
  • Lead enterprise wide Lean Six Sigma transformation initiatives that impact customer experience, operational scalability, and financial outcomes
  • Foster employee engagement by coaching leaders and teams on Lean thinking, structured problem solving, and change management practices

• Program & Portfolio Management
  • Manage a portfolio of improvement projects focused on cost optimization, service excellence, quality, and productivity gains
  • Implement governance mechanisms for identifying, prioritizing, and resourcing strategic initiatives
  • Track key performance indicators (KPIs) and report progress to senior leadership on a regular cadence

• Operational Excellence & Process Improvement
  • Lead cross-functional teams in end-to-end process reviews, root cause analyses, value stream mapping, and redesign initiatives
  • Standardize best practices and documentation across teams (e.g., SOPs, work instructions, swim lane diagrams)
  • Support the deployment and sustainment of enterprise quality systems, including CAPA, audit readiness, and regulatory compliance frameworks
  • Ensure sustainable improvement through robust control plans, metrics tracking, and knowledge transfer
  • Serve as an internal coach for department heads on improvement opportunities and effective execution

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

• Number of Direct Reports; Up to 7

Leadership Responsibilities Strategy

• People Development & Team Leadership
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Business Excellence professionals, fostering a high-performance and collaborative culture
• Deliver formal training in Lean, Six Sigma, problem solving, and business systems thinking to team members and broader staff

COMPETENCIES - SKILLS

• Deep knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, and structured problem-solving techniques
• Demonstrated success facilitating Kaizen events and building engagement across levels of the organization
• Experience implementing enterprise systems (ERP, CRM, etc.) and understanding business systems integration
• Hands-on experience with Salesforce, ServiceNow, or similar enterprise platforms is a plus
• Strong business acumen, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, Visio, and project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet, or similar)
• Experience driving change in matrixed organizations

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field is required
• MBA or Master's preferred
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt required
• Master Black Belt highly preferred
• 10+ years of progressive experience in business transformation, quality management, or operational excellence with 10+ years in a leadership role
• Proven track record of leading enterprise-wide Lean/CI programs with measurable impact
• Strong expertise in project management methodologies (Agile, PMP, etc.) and use of data analytics to drive decisions

JOB SPECIFICATIONS and WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work Environment:  This position is in Schaumburg, Ill and operates in a professional office environment.
• Positions Type/Standard Schedule:  This is a full-time position, Monday through Friday, Hybrid (onsite 3-days)
• Travel:  Some Travel

DISCLAIMER

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Our Benefits

Wheels recognizes benefits are a significant part of your employee experience, and we've created a robust benefits package that is market-leading, competitive offerings so you and your family can receive outstanding care. Please click here for an overview of the benefits available to you and your family.

Pay Range:

The base salary range for this position is listed above. This position is eligible to participate in the annual incentive plan which is based on company performance and individual performance. Compensation ranges are based on several factors including job function, level, and geographic location. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including candidate experience, education, certifications, skill level and expertise, and may vary from the amounts listed here.

EEO Statement
 

Wheels is a Drug-Free Workplace. All employment is contingent on successful completion of drug and background screening.

Wheels is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer and administers all personnel practices without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or domestic partnership status, disability, protected veteran status or military status, genetic information, or any other category protected under applicable law. Wheels is committed to taking affirmative steps to promote the employment and advancement of minorities, women, persons with disabilities and protected veterans.