Industrial Engineer, Continuous Improvement

Learning Resources • Full-time • Hybrid in Vernon Hills, Illinois, United States • $95,000 - $105,000 / year • 1m ago

Fast Facts

Join our award-winning team as an Industrial Engineer focused on Continuous Improvement, enhancing operational efficiency in a dynamic distribution environment.

Responsibilities: Drive operational efficiency through material handling optimization initiatives, data analysis for process improvements, and developing comprehensive labor models.

Skills: Proficiency in Excel, familiarity with WMS or related software, and strong analytical and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications: A bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent experience, with 3 to 5 years in a similar role preferred.

Location: This position is based in Vernon Hills, IL.

Compensation: $95000 - $105000 / Annually

About our family of companies:

We are on a mission to bring learning to life! At our family of companies, Learning Resources®, Educational Insights, and hand2mind, we create a unique range of toys, educational products and supplemental curriculum trusted by teachers and loved by families alike. Voted among the Chicago Tribune’s Top Workplaces for the last four consecutive years, we are a 350-person strong, family-owned organization dedicated to helping kids succeed in school and develop a love of learning. In addition to high-quality, hands-on products like VersaTiles® and Cuisenaire® Rods, we make award-winning toys, including top sellers such as the Pretend & Play® Cash Register, the Farmer’s Market Color Sorting Set and Toy of the Year winner Botley® the Coding Robot as well as Educational Insights top sellers Kanoodle®, GeoSafari® Jr. series, and Playfoam™. We pride ourselves on being committed to our employee’s personal and professional development, a thriving culture and a diverse, creative atmosphere. Along with our culture and competitive benefits package, we offer a variety of opportunities for training and development. We are looking for professionals who are truly just kids at heart! We hope you’ll come join our award-winning team today!

Team & Position Description:

We are currently seeking an Industrial Engineer, Continuous Improvement to join our growing team. This highly visible and cross-functional role will play a key part in driving operational efficiency within our fast-paced distribution environment. The successful candidate will lead material handling optimization initiatives, identify and resolve bottlenecks, and develop innovative solutions to improve processes. Responsibilities include prototyping improvements, slotting strategies, establishing labor standards, and building internal datasets to support data-driven decision-making. Familiarity with warehouse management systems (WMS) or related software is preferred. This role requires a collaborative and self-motivated individual who can partner effectively across teams, challenge conventional thinking, and bring a strategic, results-oriented mindset to continuous improvement efforts.

What we’re looking for (Key Performance Objectives):

Work with warehouse leadership to assess the assembly kitting process for efficiency opportunities and develop comprehensive labor and pricing models within 6 months.
Within 90 days, become the subject matter expert on the internal business intelligence tool used by the warehouse operations team. Use the tool to create reports, analyze data, and uncover data-driven opportunities for operational improvement. Once opportunities are identified, collaborate with Operations leadership to implement new procedures that enhance efficiency and performance
Within 120 days, develop a data driven slotting strategy that categorizes items by velocity and/or product family across the family of businesses.
Within the first year, re-work our warehouse employee training and onboarding program to enhance consistency and streamline operations. Foundational portions of this project will include working with SMEs to develop SOPs, creating value stream maps, and collaborating closely with warehouse leadership to develop an onboarding process. While analyzing current best practices, proactively identify 3 efficiency opportunities that will increase efficiency by 15% in that individual process.
Innovation: Observe and proactively suggest 3 process improvements to widen the pipe at both organizations within first 12 months that show a 5% cost reduction, 5% productivity increase, or 20% data visibility increase for the focus area

Requirements/Ideal Attributes:

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent work experience
3 to 5 years of experience in a similar role is preferred
Excellent communication skills; both verbal and written (read, write) clearly in English
Proficient with MS Word, Excel, and experience with WMS or WCS/WES preferred
Familiarity in using Power BI, Power Automate, and Power Apps
Flexible to work weekends and extended periods of time as required
Strong analytical skills and an understanding of internal controls
Ability to communicate effectively with vendors in English

Physical Demands:

Standing – up to 50%
Sitting – up to 50%
Computer usage – 70%
Ability to travel as needed – less than 5%
Ability to lift up to 50lbs unassisted

We are a drug-free workplace and an EEO employer.

Please note: This role will be filled by our internal recruitment team, so no assistance is needed from any outside staffing agency at this time.

Compensation Range: $95,000 – $105,000 annual salary – Actual compensation may vary due to other factors such as: years of experience, skill set or location. Total compensation includes profit sharing bonus potential, 401k matching, and a variety of other benefits (details can be found here).

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