Lean Process Improvement Manager

LSG Sky Chefs is one of the world’s largest airline catering and hospitality providers, known for its outstanding reputation and dynamic approach in the industry. Voted “Airline Caterer of the Year in North America” for 2023 and 2024, we are committed to excellence and innovation, driven by the dedication and expertise of our talented employees. Our team members are the heart and soul of our success, consistently delivering exceptional culinary experiences and outstanding service to our clients and their passengers across North and Latin America.

We are seeking a dynamic Lean Continuous Improvement Manager (Airline Catering) to lead operational excellence initiatives for our Chicago Operations. Our operations serves various airline customers out of Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. This role is pivotal in driving continuous improvement, leading projects and initiatives and ensuring adherence to corporate standards and customer requirements. The ideal candidate will partner with operations leadership to achieve business targets, optimize processes, and foster a culture of Lean principles through training, coaching, and hands-on facilitation. If you have a proven track record in Lean manufacturing, strong leadership skills, and a passion for delivering measurable results, we invite you to join our team and make a lasting impact. This position reports to the Director of Operations and will work closely with our Continuous Improvement team for the Americas region.

• Work location: onsite @ our Sky Chefs kitchen/facility in Des Plaines near Chicago O'Hare International airport
• Work schedule: Must have flexibility with schedule as we service the airline industry - 5 consecutive days working with 2 consecutive days off
• Our operations runs 24/7, 365

What You'll Do

Lean Production

• Implement and drive continuous improvement across Customer Service Center (CSC) in close coordination with management staff
• Implement LSG Production System for CSC in line with corporate and regional policies
• Ability to teach the principals of lean and other process improvements and provide training as required within area of CSC (for example, Kaizen events)
• Support CSC in the implementation of Regional Operational Excellence Strategy, guidelines, and policies
• Support CSC management teams to achieve business targets (KPI’s)
• Define continuous improvement targets together with the management staff and report performance against set operational objectives
• Analyze cost reduction potential; Accountable for settling and delivering budget results related to productivity/process improvements
• Report on KPIs for quality, productivity costs, and service delivery
• Ensure communication and know-how sharing processes between CSCs in the country/region

Leadership

• Identify and train CSC departmental management and core employees on production system methodology and lean principles

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Industrial/Process Engineering or equivalent experience required
• In addition, five to seven years experience in developing and implementing production/process methods and with at least three to five years experience in a manufacturing/automotive industry required
• Effective workshop facilitator skills required; experience in leading teams, driving change and delivering results
• Knowledge of lean concepts including Toyota Production System principles required
• Proven track record in Lean manufacturing and success in implementation of redesigned processes
• Six Sigma Black Belt, Green Belt or Lean Master Certification preferred
• Knowledge of Total Quality Management and Change Management experience is preferred
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Sound delegation skills accompanied with effective ability for follow-up
• Proficient with windows based software
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written); ability to effectively interact with all levels of the organization

LSG Sky Chefs is an EEO and Affirmative Action Employer of Women/Minorities/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.