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Performance Improvement Operations Senior Consultant

Crowe · Chicago, IL · $95,000–$147,000 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 25, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a production problem you solved where the fix was not about adding people or equipment.

What they are checking: Whether they look for the constraint rather than the budget.

Describe a time you trained or mentored client staff. What did you do to make sure it stuck?

What they are checking: Knowledge transfer, which this posting makes an explicit duty.

Walk me through a continuous improvement initiative you led from idea to measured result.

What they are checking: End-to-end ownership with a number attached.

This one asks for two years of manufacturing operations or consulting experience, while Crowe also posted an Industrial Engineering Operations role at three years and a Master Scheduler role at five. Why this level for you right now?

What they are checking: Self-placement across the three roles posted together.

The travel here is Sunday evening to Thursday evening every week. What do you want to know about the client mix and how long a typical engagement runs?

What they are checking: Whether they read the travel line and ask what the year actually looks like.

What would you do

The posting says you need to observe current production numbers and find the gaps. Walk me through how you would spend your first two days on a client's floor.

What they are checking: A concrete opening approach to an operations assessment.

A supervisor tells you the numbers you were given are wrong. How do you check?

What they are checking: Data verification on a client site where the data is someone else's.

What happens when a client's leadership wants a result you do not believe the operation can deliver in the time available?

What they are checking: Honesty about feasibility with a paying client.

About the work

How do you build an operating system that a plant keeps running after the consultants leave?

What they are checking: Sustainability, which is the recurring failure mode in performance improvement work.

How do you use Excel and PowerPoint well enough to move a plant manager? Walk me through what a good one-page analysis looks like.

What they are checking: The advanced Excel and PowerPoint ability the posting calls essential, judged by output.

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The full job description

As published by Crowe.

Your Journey at Crowe Starts Here: At Crowe, you can build a meaningful and rewarding career. With real flexibility to balance work with life moments, you’re trusted to deliver results and make an impact. We embrace you for who you are, care for your well-being, and nurture your career. Everyone has equitable access to opportunities for career growth and leadership. Over our 80-year history, delivering excellent service through innovation has been a core part of our DNA across our audit, tax, and consulting groups. That’s why we continuously invest in innovative ideas, such as AI-enabled insights and technology-powered solutions, to enhance our services. Join us at Crowe and embark on a career where you can help shape the future of our industry. Job Description: Crowe’s Performance Improvement department in the Advisory practice helps clients significantly improve their profitability by taking operational challenges, developing an executable improvement plan, quantifying the financial value associated with implementing the improvements, and partnering with our clients to capture the savings. We are looking for an Operations Senior Consultant with manufacturing operations experience who can successfully observe current company production numbers, find gaps or inefficiencies within their processes, and provide advice and recommendations on how to reduce and eliminate production issues. Overview: Responsible for taking a holistic approach to identifying business improvement opportunities developing solutions, managing initiatives, and identifying the resources and various disciplines needed to execute the process. Specific consulting responsibilities include operational, financial and process analysis, strategy development, process reengineering, and modeling, e.g., LEAN/Six Sigma, and continuous improvement, to deliver operational transformation. Essential skills and responsibilities include but are not limited to: • Perform assessments by conducting operational and shop-floor observations and utilizing analytical skills to understand client environments • Develop and deploy KPI’s and operating systems to measure and improve operating performance • Develop, manage, and lead continuous process improvement initiatives • Deliver training, coach, and mentor client staff • Execute a portion of the scope of work as assigned and ensure deliverables are achieved on time and within budget • Leverage the flexibility of Lean, Six Sigma, and Performance Improvement tools to enhance productivity Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a relevant degree is required • At least two (2) years of manufacturing operations and/or consulting experience in a manufacturing environment, Operations consulting is a plus • Must be willing to travel Sunday evening to Thursday evening, weekly • Ability to build, manage, and foster a team-oriented environment • Ability to interact with the internal management team and external client contacts using strong leadership and communication skills • Proven ability to work creatively and analytically in a problem-solving environment • Excellent communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills • Strong interpersonal communication, influencing, and advanced Excel, and PowerPoint abilities are essential Preferred Qualifications: • Advanced Degree: MBA, Master's degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field • Consulting Expertise: Extensive operations consulting experience, with a focus on driving large-scale performance improvements • Technical Skills: Proficiency in Power BI, Tableau, or other advanced analytical tools is highly advantageous • Preferred Locations: Chicago, IL; Atlanta, GA; Dallas, TX; Houston, TX; Nashville, TN We expect the candidate to uphold Crowe’s values of Care, Trust, Courage, and Stewardship. These values define who we are. We expect all of our people to act ethically and with integrity at all times. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Crowe is not sponsoring for work authorization at this time. The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At Crowe, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $95,000.00 - $147,000.00 per year. Our Benefits: Your exceptional people experience starts here. At Crowe, we know that great people are what makes a great firm. We care about our people and offer employees a comprehensive total rewards package. Learn more about what working at Crowe can mean for you! How You Can Grow: We will nurture your talent in an inclusive culture that values diversity. You will have the chance to meet on a consistent basis with your Career Coach that will guide you in your career goals and aspirations. Learn more about where talent can prosper! More about Crowe: Crowe provides professional services through two separate entities: Crowe LLP delivers audit and attest services, and Crowe Advisory LLC provides tax, advisory, consulting, and other nonattest services. The Crowe Global network consists of more than 300 independent accounting and advisory services firms in more than 150 countries around the globe, making it one of the largest accounting networks in the world.* As independent members of Crowe Global, Crowe LLP and Crowe Advisory LLC serve clients worldwide. *As of July 2026. Crowe LLP and Crowe Advisory LLC (and their respective subsidiary entities) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, national origin, disability or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Crowe LLP and Crowe Advisory LLC (and their respective subsidiary entities) does not accept unsolicited candidates, referrals or resumes from any staffing agency, recruiting service, sourcing entity or any other third-party paid service at any time. Any referrals, resumes or candidates submitted to Crowe, or any employee or owner of Crowe without a pre-existing agreement signed by both parties covering the submission will be considered the property of Crowe, and free of charge. Crowe will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. Please visit our webpage to see notices of the various state and local Ban-the-Box laws and Fair Chance Ordinances, where applicable. We are committed to a merit-based hiring process, evaluating all candidates consistently using objective, job-related criteria such as relevant experience, demonstrated skills, measurable impact, and alignment with the role’s responsibilities, and making employment decisions in a fair and inclusive manner free from discrimination. If you are interested in applying for employment with Crowe and are in need of an accommodation or require special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please visit our Applicant Assistance and Accommodations page for more information: https://careers.crowe.com/crowe-applicant-assistance-and-accommodation

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