MUST RESIDE IN ILLINOIS

These positions require regular travel to client sites within Illinois.

As an IMEC Technical Specialist, you will work closely with manufacturers to diagnose challenges, implement impactful solutions, and optimize performance across a variety of disciplines. We are looking for experts with niche skills in areas such as Lean & Continuous Improvement, Leadership and Strategy, Workforce Development, Quality & Compliance, Supply Chain Optimization, Technology & Innovation, Energy Management, and Marketing.

This role is ideal for professionals passionate about guiding manufacturers through transformative improvements, whether enhancing production efficiency, integrating smart technologies, strengthening supply chains, or developing future-ready leadership strategies.

The Technical Specialist initiates and maintains relationships with manufacturers, assesses their challenges and opportunities, supports IMEC consulting teams by helping manufacturing clients optimize their performance, and implements IMEC's manufacturing improvement capabilities and resources.

Essential Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include:

• Provide direct consultation to manufacturers within their own area of expertise
• Prepare proposals
• Deliver solution presentations
• Manage project engagements.
• Develop and manage Third Party Resources.
• Participate in IMEC's service development and process improvement teams.

Additional Requirements/Qualifications:

Education/Experience:

Bachelor's degree with 3+ years’ experience working with manufacturing companies with a career progression that includes leadership responsibility. Master's degree preferred. An emphasis in Engineering, Technology, Marketing, or Operations Management is preferred.

Candidates should be sincerely interested in helping manufacturers implement new manufacturing techniques and processes. Must have good computer skills and be a strong written and verbal communicator. An IMEC Technical Specialist will need tact and diplomacy in dealing with manufacturers, professional associations, government stakeholder representatives, and other service providers.

Particular consideration will be given to candidates with the proven ability to lead companies down a path of continuous improvement, with the demonstrated capacity to diagnose company needs and effectively communicate value to all levels of the company, from production personnel to top management. Experience in providing services in one or more of the following areas: strategic marketing, information technology, strategic and operational planning, lean manufacturing & waste reduction, plant layout, process optimization, supervisory and leadership skills development, quality systems, safety, maintenance excellence, and supply chain development.

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to synthesize and present highly technical data succinctly to nontechnical business executives and interact effectively with all levels of a manufacturing organization.

Virtual work environment and standard hours with extended hours and weekend work as required. Position requires travel to remote manufacturing facilities across the state by aircraft and automobile. Driving is an essential function of the job. Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. This position has a lifting requirement of up to 70 pounds. Applicants must be capable of accessing manufacturing facilities which may not be ADA accessible.

Position requires a combination of virtual work and regular travel with occasional extended travel to remote facilities across the state. Driving is an essential function of the job. Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. This position has a lifting requirement of up to 70 pounds. Applicants must be capable of accessing manufacturing facilities which may not be ADA accessible. Please submit an electronic application, including (1) cover letter, (2) resume, and (3) the names and contact information for three references. The University of Illinois, Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University, and Bradley University conduct background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of contingent offer of employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. IMEC and its Subrecipient organizations, including Bradley University, SIU, NIU, and UIC are EOE/AA/M/F/Disabled/Veteran Employers.

About IMEC

IMEC is a team of improvement specialists dedicated to providing manufacturers in Illinois with the tools and techniques to excel and compete globally. The experienced hands-on team at IMEC works closely with its clients to plan critical business improvements in all areas of their organization from: Leading their Company, Planning for Success, Growing their Business, Improving their Operations, Focusing on their People, and Deciding with Data.

With more than 50 full-time staff and partners positioned statewide, IMEC delivers the local expertise to not only plan and strategize, but to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of client improvements. In fact, IMEC assists more than 2,500 companies each year with successful business improvement projects.

As a result, IMEC has demonstrated a return on investment that exceeds 19:1. This is made possible as organizations become more effective and efficient.

IMEC team members enjoy their jobs because of the challenge in working with a variety of organizations in a broad range of industries. They also gain satisfaction from providing assistance and advisement to help organizations succeed in a demanding marketplace. Click HERE to learn more about IMEC.