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 BuildingChampion a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and customer-centric thinking across all business unitsPartner with executive leadership to define, align, and measure strategic improvement initiatives that drive tangible business valueLead enterprise wide Lean Six Sigma transformation initiatives that impact customer experience, operational scalability, and financial outcomesFoster employee engagement by coaching leaders and teams on Lean thinking, structured problem solving, and change management practicesProgram & Portfolio ManagementManage a portfolio of improvement projects focused on cost optimization, service excellence, quality, and productivity gainsImplement governance mechanisms for identifying, prioritizing, and resourcing strategic initiativesTrack key performance indicators (KPIs) and report progress to senior leadership on a regular cadenceOperational Excellence & Process ImprovementLead cross-functional teams in end-to-end process reviews, root cause analyses, value stream mapping, and redesign initiativesStandardize 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 frameworksEnsure sustainable improvement through robust control plans, metrics tracking, and knowledge transferServe 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 LeadershipLead, mentor, and develop a team of Business Excellence professionals, fostering a high-performance and collaborative cultureDeliver 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 techniquesDemonstrated success facilitating Kaizen events and building engagement across levels of the organizationExperience implementing enterprise systems (ERP, CRM, etc.) and understanding business systems integrationHands-on experience with Salesforce, ServiceNow, or similar enterprise platforms is a plusStrong business acumen, communication, and interpersonal skillsAdvanced 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 requiredMBA or Master's preferredLean Six Sigma Black Belt requiredMaster Black Belt highly preferred10+ years of progressive experience in business transformation, quality management, or operational excellence with 10+ years in a leadership roleProven track record of leading enterprise-wide Lean/CI programs with measurable impactStrong 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:

$153,700-$215,100

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.