New

Operational Excellence Lead

Zoro Tools
life insurance, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, 401(k)
United States, Illinois, Chicago
Sep 12, 2025
Work Location Type:Hybrid Req Number 323209 About Grainger: W.W. Grainger, Inc., is a leading broad line distributor with operations primarily in North America, Japan and the United Kingdom. At Grainger, We Keep the World Working by serving more than 4.5 million customers worldwide with products and solutions delivered through innovative technology and deep customer relationships. Known for its commitment to service and award-winning culture, the Company had 2024 revenue of $17.2 billion across its two business models. In the High-Touch Solutions segment, Grainger offers approximately 2 million maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products and services, including technical support and inventory management. In the Endless Assortment segment,Zoro.comoffers customers access to more than 14 million products, andMonotaRO.comoffers more than 24 million products. For more information, visitwww.grainger.com. Compensation The anticipated base pay compensation range for this position is$78,200.00 to$130,400.00. Rewards and Benefits: With benefits starting on day one, our programs provide choice and flexibility to meet team members' individual needs, including: Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with coverage starting on day one of employment and 6 free sessions each year with a licensed therapist to support your emotional wellbeing. 18 paid time off (PTO) days annually for full-time employees (accrual prorated based on employment start date) and 6 company holidays per year. 6% company contribution to a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, no employee contribution required. Employee discounts, tuition reimbursement, student loan refinancing and free access to financial counseling, education, and tools. Maternity support programs, nursing benefits, and up to 14 weeks paid leave for birth parents and up to 4 weeks paid leave for non-birth parents. For additional information and details regarding Grainger's benefits, please click on the link below: https://experience100.ehr.com/grainger/Home/Tools-Resources/Key-Resources/New-Hire The pay range provided above is not a guarantee of compensation. The range reflects the potential base pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual base pay compensation will depend, in part, on factors such as geographic work location and relevant experience and skills. The anticipated compensation range described above is subject to change and the compensation ultimately paid may be higher or lower than the range described above. Grainger reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion at any time, consistent with applicable law. Position Details The Operational Excellence team ensures that Grainger's Merchandising and Supplier Management Extended Assortment department (MSMEA) team understands how value is created for our customers and is persistently increasing that value while eliminating waste. As an individual contributor, the Operational Excellence Lead leads strategic initiatives to develop new operating models to transform how Grainger delivers value to customers and improve existing operating models to deliver more value to customers and eliminate non-value-added activities. This role reports to the Manager, Operational Excellence. Opportunity to work hybrid 3 days per week in the office from either our Lake Forest, IL office or downtown Chicago office at the Merchandise Mart. Individuals based in the Chicago office may still visit the Lake Forest, IL office on an occasional basis. You Will Serve as a project management expert across multiple projects simultaneously providing insight into progress, anticipate and raise awareness to barriers, and communicate clear project status to multiple levels. Provide expertise and oversight to partners during the Discovery, Define, Design, Implementation, and Monitor phases of project work. Provide project management support to the Strategic Programs team, assisting the Program Manager and Senior Manager of Strategic Programs to drive progress on MSMEA initiatives through utilization of the standard program framework Work with partners, subject matter experts, and different levels of leaders across the organization to advance project goals Create documentation of current and future state processes for internal and cross-departmental use, including process maps, RACI models. Use analytics and judgment to identify, prioritize and solve complex business problems with recommendations to leadership considering upstream and downstream impacts, risks and data. Test new and better ways to solve problems using relevant Continuous Improvement/Lean tools and principles. Create and facilitate training materials for Continuous Improvement tools to support in ongoing development of the MSMEA department You Have Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience required 3+ years of project management experience required Experience managing end-to-end projects and partnering cross-functionally, focusing on continuous improvement throughout. Experience communicating with key stakeholders to drive clarity and results. Lean Six Sigma Certification-IASSC Green Belt preferred We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible work environment that includes both providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities during the application and hiring process as well as throughout the course of one's employment, should you need a reasonable accommodation during the application and selection process, including, but not limited to use of our website, any part of the application, interview or hiring process, please advise us so that we can provide appropriate assistance.