Senior Manager - Continuous Improvement
Univar, Downers Grove, Illinois, United States, 60516
Senior Manager - Continuous Improvement
Location: Downers Grove, IL, US, 60515-5560
Company Name: Univar Solutions LLC
Requisition ID: 34528
A Place Where People Matter.
Start your career journey with Univar Solutions! Here you can make an impact on the world around you and accelerate your career in areas that energize and excite you.
The Senior Manager will play a critical role in driving financial and operational performance within the organization. This role sits within the Transformation Office and owns a portfolio of high‑value initiatives that improve financial performance, operational execution, and decision quality through process redesign, enterprise technology, analytics, and AI. This position will be responsible for analyzing financial data, developing critical initiatives, and leading cross‑functional teams to achieve business objectives. The role will work closely with our Transportation and Warehouse operation team leaders and partners. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in Operations Consulting or Finance, with excellent analytical skills, and the ability to manage complex projects.
What You'll Do Business Analysis
Analyze operational, financial, and digital workflow data to develop hypotheses on performance drivers, with emphasis on decision automation, predictive insights, and AI‑supported execution
Translate difficulties, anecdotes, observations, current state processes, and critical metrics into clearly scoped opportunities for new strategic transformation projects
Identify where advanced analytics, machine learning, or GenAI‑enabled workflows can improve planning accuracy, asset utilization, service levels, and cost‑to‑serve
Estimate financial value and operational impact of transformation projects, specifying value levers and how/where outcomes will hit P&L
Process Improvement
Map current state business processes with an emphasis on evaluating how the company makes key decisions, both strategic and operational
Lead cross‑functional teams to design future‑state, AI‑enabled operating models that integrate people, process, and enterprise technology
Inform the design of quantitative models to guide better decisions and technology to enable future state operational workflows
Plan change management activities required for value capture, including communications, employee training, and technology cutovers
Program Management
Build enterprise‑grade business cases for digital and AI transformation initiatives, including return on investment, risk, and change readiness
Lead projects and teams through PMO framework, ensuring progression according to scope, schedule, budget, and quality standards
Document project risks and dependencies, then work across the enterprise to mitigate these proactively so transformation delivery timelines stay on track
Facilitate requirements gathering, proposal structuring, and vendor selection with key partners
Oversee the build and activation project phases, often managing multiple consulting firms, contractors, analytics vendors, AI solution providers, and internal teams
Hold regular Steering Committee meetings with executive sponsors to communicate progress, raise issues, make important decisions, and progress through stage gates
Stakeholder Management
Align diverse stakeholders around a single vision, set of priorities, and understanding of portfolio finances, timelines, risks, and status
Organize portfolio review meetings for multiple audiences
Call out potential roadblocks quickly and with urgency to mobilize resources proactively
What You'll Need
Advanced degree – MBA or quantitative field (ex. economics, operations research, statistics, data science, computer science) – preferred
Minimum of 7 years of experience, preferably in consulting, strategy, analytics, continuous improvement, enterprise transformation, supply chain finance, or program management functions
Experience leading multiple large ($1mil+) projects, preferably around technology deployment, process improvement, or embedding analytics into strategic/operational decisions
Proven ability to lead projects across the entire range of operations and business functions.
Strong communication skills (both written and verbal)
Strong planning and organizing skills
Experience managing consultants, contractors, and internal project teams
Knowledge of the logistics industries preferred
Influence strategy and outcomes without formal operational authority
Open‑minded questioning, “What would need to be true for this to work?”
Creativity in problem solving, especially complex processes involving many teams and decisions
Project Management standard processes across all lifecycle phases, including extensive risk management
Business process mapping, future state design, and change management to bridge the gap
Technology design fluency – both workflows and analytics – including agile development approaches
Adaptable communication with many very different stakeholder groups
Presentation preparation and delivery to senior leadership
Ability to work across all levels of the organization, including frontline, analysts, executives, and Board
Independence and a desire to function autonomously with limited direction
Management of consultants, contractors, and internal project teams
Strong data fluency and data storytelling required
MS Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook) required
Where You'll Work This is a hybrid‑based role that will report out of our headquarters in Downers Grove, IL.
The salary range is $170,000- $190,000. This role is also eligible for incentive pay.
The specific salary offered to a candidate may be motivated by a variety of factors including the candidate’s meaningful experience, education, training, certifications, qualifications, and work location.
Available employee benefits include health, vision, and dental. We also provide 401k matching for retirement and flexible time off.
What You Can Expect
Strong
work/life flexibility
To be surrounded by an
inclusive
team who is collaborative and committed to the achievement of the company
To be rewarded for your contributions with a
targeted annual company bonus
and
annual salary reviews
Competitive
pay and benefits
Univar Solutions is a leading, global distributor of chemicals and ingredients
essential to the safety, health, and wellbeing of our daily lives
from life‑saving medicines and vitamins to hand sanitizers and industrial materials used for cleaning, construction, and more. Our global team of more than
9,500 employees
support our vision to redefine distribution and be the most valued chemical and ingredient distributor on the planet!
We offer a
Total Rewards package
that includes market aligned pay and incentives as well as a diverse benefits offering to
support our employees’ physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing.
Univar Solutions supports
sustainable solutions
for the world around us so that we can do our part to
help keep our communities healthy, fed, clean, and safe!
We are committed to a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusion.
Together, we are building a culture that acknowledges the unique experiences, perspectives and expertise of individuals and provides the development and growth opportunities to empower us to redefine our industry.
Univar Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected classification.
Univar Solutions does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms (collectively Recruiting Firms). Recruiting Firms must enter into a Master Services Agreement (MSA) with Univar Solutions prior to submitting any information relating to a potential candidate. All searches must be initiated by Univar Solutions' Talent Acquisition team and candidates must be submitted via Applicant Tracking System (ATS) by approved vendors who have been expressly requested to make a submission for a specific job opening. No placement fees will be paid to any firm unless the aforementioned conditions have been met. Contacting our hiring managers directly is prohibited.
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Company Name: Univar Solutions LLC
Requisition ID: 34528
A Place Where People Matter.
Start your career journey with Univar Solutions! Here you can make an impact on the world around you and accelerate your career in areas that energize and excite you.
The Senior Manager will play a critical role in driving financial and operational performance within the organization. This role sits within the Transformation Office and owns a portfolio of high‑value initiatives that improve financial performance, operational execution, and decision quality through process redesign, enterprise technology, analytics, and AI. This position will be responsible for analyzing financial data, developing critical initiatives, and leading cross‑functional teams to achieve business objectives. The role will work closely with our Transportation and Warehouse operation team leaders and partners. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in Operations Consulting or Finance, with excellent analytical skills, and the ability to manage complex projects.
What You'll Do Business Analysis
Analyze operational, financial, and digital workflow data to develop hypotheses on performance drivers, with emphasis on decision automation, predictive insights, and AI‑supported execution
Translate difficulties, anecdotes, observations, current state processes, and critical metrics into clearly scoped opportunities for new strategic transformation projects
Identify where advanced analytics, machine learning, or GenAI‑enabled workflows can improve planning accuracy, asset utilization, service levels, and cost‑to‑serve
Estimate financial value and operational impact of transformation projects, specifying value levers and how/where outcomes will hit P&L
Process Improvement
Map current state business processes with an emphasis on evaluating how the company makes key decisions, both strategic and operational
Lead cross‑functional teams to design future‑state, AI‑enabled operating models that integrate people, process, and enterprise technology
Inform the design of quantitative models to guide better decisions and technology to enable future state operational workflows
Plan change management activities required for value capture, including communications, employee training, and technology cutovers
Program Management
Build enterprise‑grade business cases for digital and AI transformation initiatives, including return on investment, risk, and change readiness
Lead projects and teams through PMO framework, ensuring progression according to scope, schedule, budget, and quality standards
Document project risks and dependencies, then work across the enterprise to mitigate these proactively so transformation delivery timelines stay on track
Facilitate requirements gathering, proposal structuring, and vendor selection with key partners
Oversee the build and activation project phases, often managing multiple consulting firms, contractors, analytics vendors, AI solution providers, and internal teams
Hold regular Steering Committee meetings with executive sponsors to communicate progress, raise issues, make important decisions, and progress through stage gates
Stakeholder Management
Align diverse stakeholders around a single vision, set of priorities, and understanding of portfolio finances, timelines, risks, and status
Organize portfolio review meetings for multiple audiences
Call out potential roadblocks quickly and with urgency to mobilize resources proactively
What You'll Need
Advanced degree – MBA or quantitative field (ex. economics, operations research, statistics, data science, computer science) – preferred
Minimum of 7 years of experience, preferably in consulting, strategy, analytics, continuous improvement, enterprise transformation, supply chain finance, or program management functions
Experience leading multiple large ($1mil+) projects, preferably around technology deployment, process improvement, or embedding analytics into strategic/operational decisions
Proven ability to lead projects across the entire range of operations and business functions.
Strong communication skills (both written and verbal)
Strong planning and organizing skills
Experience managing consultants, contractors, and internal project teams
Knowledge of the logistics industries preferred
Influence strategy and outcomes without formal operational authority
Open‑minded questioning, “What would need to be true for this to work?”
Creativity in problem solving, especially complex processes involving many teams and decisions
Project Management standard processes across all lifecycle phases, including extensive risk management
Business process mapping, future state design, and change management to bridge the gap
Technology design fluency – both workflows and analytics – including agile development approaches
Adaptable communication with many very different stakeholder groups
Presentation preparation and delivery to senior leadership
Ability to work across all levels of the organization, including frontline, analysts, executives, and Board
Independence and a desire to function autonomously with limited direction
Management of consultants, contractors, and internal project teams
Strong data fluency and data storytelling required
MS Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook) required
Where You'll Work This is a hybrid‑based role that will report out of our headquarters in Downers Grove, IL.
The salary range is $170,000- $190,000. This role is also eligible for incentive pay.
The specific salary offered to a candidate may be motivated by a variety of factors including the candidate’s meaningful experience, education, training, certifications, qualifications, and work location.
Available employee benefits include health, vision, and dental. We also provide 401k matching for retirement and flexible time off.
What You Can Expect
Strong
work/life flexibility
To be surrounded by an
inclusive
team who is collaborative and committed to the achievement of the company
To be rewarded for your contributions with a
targeted annual company bonus
and
annual salary reviews
Competitive
pay and benefits
Univar Solutions is a leading, global distributor of chemicals and ingredients
essential to the safety, health, and wellbeing of our daily lives
from life‑saving medicines and vitamins to hand sanitizers and industrial materials used for cleaning, construction, and more. Our global team of more than
9,500 employees
support our vision to redefine distribution and be the most valued chemical and ingredient distributor on the planet!
We offer a
Total Rewards package
that includes market aligned pay and incentives as well as a diverse benefits offering to
support our employees’ physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing.
Univar Solutions supports
sustainable solutions
for the world around us so that we can do our part to
help keep our communities healthy, fed, clean, and safe!
We are committed to a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusion.
Together, we are building a culture that acknowledges the unique experiences, perspectives and expertise of individuals and provides the development and growth opportunities to empower us to redefine our industry.
Univar Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected classification.
Univar Solutions does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms (collectively Recruiting Firms). Recruiting Firms must enter into a Master Services Agreement (MSA) with Univar Solutions prior to submitting any information relating to a potential candidate. All searches must be initiated by Univar Solutions' Talent Acquisition team and candidates must be submitted via Applicant Tracking System (ATS) by approved vendors who have been expressly requested to make a submission for a specific job opening. No placement fees will be paid to any firm unless the aforementioned conditions have been met. Contacting our hiring managers directly is prohibited.
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