Novolex

Regional Sr. Manager, Continuous Improvement

Job Locations US-IL-Romeoville
ID
2026-36096
Category
Manufacturing
Position Type
Full Time
Pay Type
Salaried

Company Overview

Why Choose Us?

Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple industries including foodservice, restaurant delivery and carryout, food processing, grocery and retail, and industrial sectors. Novolex manufacturing and sourcing expertise spans a diverse range of substrates including resin, paper, molded fiber, aluminum and more. We provide customers a broad array of stock and customized solutions with 120 product categories, 250 brands and over 39,000 SKUs.

Our Sustainability Commitment

The Novolex sustainability vision is built upon three pillars: our products, our operations and our people. Each is critically important to our growth and future as a business. These pillars form the foundation of our company-wide commitment to sustainability, helping us achieve our ambitious goals through our wide-ranging initiatives.

Job Description

Position Overview

We are seeking a hands-on Regional Senior Manager of Continuous Improvement to drive operational excellence across multiple warehouse and distribution facilities.

 

This is not a traditional office-based Continuous Improvement role. The successful candidate will spend significant time in distribution centers working directly with frontline teams and site leadership to identify opportunities, solve operational challenges, and lead sustainable improvements.

 

The ideal candidate combines strong Continuous Improvement expertise with deep logistics and warehouse operations experience. This leader will help facilities improve safety, quality, service, productivity, inventory accuracy, and cost performance while building a culture of continuous improvement across the network.

What You'll Do

Lead Operational Improvement

  • Drive Continuous Improvement initiatives across multiple warehouse and distribution facilities.
  • Lead Kaizen events, process improvement workshops, root cause analysis, and structured problem-solving activities.
  • Identify and eliminate waste, process variation, and operational inefficiencies.
  • Deliver measurable improvements in safety, productivity, service, quality, inventory accuracy, and cost performance.

Partner with Operations Teams

  • Spend significant time on the shop floor working directly with site leadership and frontline teams.
  • Conduct Gemba walks and operational assessments to identify improvement opportunities.
  • Provide hands-on leadership and coaching throughout implementation and sustainment.
  • Build strong partnerships with operations leaders and support site performance objectives.

Drive Logistics Excellence

  • Improve warehouse throughput, labor utilization, storage utilization, inventory accuracy, and operational efficiency.
  • Optimize picking, put-away, dock operations, material flow, inventory management, slotting, labor utilization, case picking, and related warehouse processes.
  • Support process standardization, best-practice replication, Warehouse Management System utilization, and operational technology improvements.

Business Analytics & Continuous Improvement Strategy

  • Leverage operational and financial data to identify strategic improvement opportunities, quantify business impact, and prioritize regional Continuous Improvement initiatives.
  • Synthesize complex information from multiple sources into concise executive-level summaries, recommendations, and action plans.
  • Utilize data analytics, performance trends, and operational metrics to support decision-making, resource allocation, and project selection.
  • Transform data insights into actionable Continuous Improvement projects that drive sustainable improvements in safety, quality, service, productivity, inventory accuracy, and cost performance.

Build Capability & Culture

  • Coach leaders and teams on Lean principles, Continuous Improvement methodologies, and practical problem-solving.
  • Develop site champions who can lead and sustain improvements within their facilities.
  • Support implementation and ongoing utilization of the OPEX360 Operational Excellence System.
  • Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations Management, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
  • 7+ years of experience in Continuous Improvement, Logistics, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Distribution, or Operational Excellence roles.
  • Minimum of 5 years supporting or leading improvement initiatives within high-volume warehouse, distribution center, fulfillment, or logistics operations.
  • Proven success leading cross-functional, multi-site improvement projects and operational transformations.
  • Strong experience facilitating Kaizen events and structured problem-solving activities.
  • Ability to influence, coach, and drive change without direct authority.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Lean Practitioner, or equivalent certification.
  • Multi-site logistics or distribution network experience.
  • Experience implementing Lean, Operational Excellence, or Continuous Improvement systems.
  • Strong project management, analytical, communication, and leadership skills.
  • Experience with SAP, Blue Yonder and Rebus is preferred.
  • Proficient in MS Office, Co-Pilot and Smartsheet.

Success in This Role

  • Hands-on operational leader who enjoys being on the warehouse floor rather than an auditor or consultant.
  • Practical problem solver with a strong bias for action and execution.
  • Credible coach and influencer who connects effectively with frontline teams and leadership.
  • Results-oriented professional who delivers measurable operational and financial improvements.
  • Passionate advocate for Continuous Improvement and operational excellence.

Travel

  • Up to 50% travel within the assigned region, including potential overnight travel.
  • Frequent presence within warehouse and distribution center operations is required.

POSITION IDENTITY

This is a field-focused operational leadership position, not primarily an office-based role. Success comes from leading projects, coaching teams, solving operational problems, and engaging directly with employees and leaders on the warehouse floor. OPEX360 supports sustainment, while the primary focus remains delivering operational results through hands-on Continuous Improvement leadership.

 

 

 

A reasonable estimate of the current range is $130,000-$160,000 + bonus + benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. At Novolex, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

 

The benefits for this role include 401(k) plan with company match, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, paid vacation, and sick days, paid parental leave, paid holidays and wellness program.

 

 

#LI-TM1

 

Company Benefits

What You'll Get From Us

Benefits

With safety as our top priority and a commitment to employee well-being an important focus, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits that include medical, dental and vision insurance as well as a variety of other well-being resources focused on mental, physical and financial health. Specific benefits and well-being programs may vary depending on where you work.

Community Engagement

At Novolex, giving back to the local communities that support us is important. Our Focused Giving Program prioritizes support for organizations whose missions promote sustainability initiatives or address food and hunger needs. We also encourage facility level support of activities in the communities where our employees live and work.

Training and Development

We offer constant opportunities for advancement. From skills development to advanced education programs, training and development programs and courses are available through MyLearning. Programs include company and industry training curricula, support for formal education through the Tuition Reimbursement Program (Non-Union), and a Learning Management System that supports and enhances employee skills at all levels of the organization.

 

Novolex is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including but not limited to selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, handicap or disability, genetics, citizenship status, service member or veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. Any individual who, because of his or her disability, needs an accommodation in connection with an aspect of the Company's application process should contact myHRservices@novolex.com.

 

Formerly Pactiv Evergreen

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