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Private Equity Performance Improvement Operations Manager

Crowe · Chicago, IL · $123,500–$197,500 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 an operational improvement you led and what it was worth.

What they are checking: The posting is about EBITDA and enterprise value capture, so the number is the point.

Travel is Sunday evening to Thursday evening, every week. How does that fit your life?

What they are checking: The posting states it as a requirement, and it is the commonest reason people leave this work.

Tell me about a recommendation that was not implemented. What happened?

What they are checking: The permanent frustration of consulting, and what they learned from it.

How do you work independently when the scope is not fully defined?

What they are checking: The posting says significant independence to define and deliver the work.

What would you do

How do you build consensus with a portfolio company management team that did not ask for you?

What they are checking: The posting names building consensus across teams and stakeholders, and this is the hard version.

How do you present a hard finding to a private equity sponsor?

What they are checking: The posting names executive-level deliverables for client decision-makers.

About the work

Walk me through assessing a manufacturing or distribution operation you had never seen.

What they are checking: The posting names detailed assessments of manufacturing and distribution footprint and networks.

Which Lean or Six Sigma tools do you actually reach for, and when?

What they are checking: The posting names both, and an honest answer separates practitioners from the certified.

How do you find synergies in a deal that are real rather than on a slide?

What they are checking: The posting names uncovering synergy and functional area solutions.

Tell me about your Excel work and any Power BI or Tableau you have done.

What they are checking: The posting requires advanced Excel and names both tools as a plus.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Crowe from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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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: As an Operations Manager within Crowe’s Performance Improvement department in the Advisory practice, you’ll help lead our clients through the analysis and implementation of operational excellence and performance improvement initiatives within portfolio companies, including EBITDA, synergies, and enterprise value capture. Essential skills & responsibilities include but are not limited to: • Engage with private equity firms and corporate leaders to analyze and execute value-creation strategies and operational improvement initiatives • Work in a client-facing role, engage with client teams to uncover synergy and functional area solutions; execute deal strategies and performance improvement • Utilize a holistic approach to identify business improvement opportunities, develop solutions, manage initiatives, and identify the resources and various disciplines needed to execute the process • Communicate professionally, including creating executive-level deliverables to support client decision-makers • Deliver results in a highly visible role on-site at our clients, across the U.S. and possibly internationally • Leverage the flexibility of Lean, Six Sigma, and Performance Improvement tools to enhance productivity • Highly adaptable, assertive, and open to new challenges in a fast-paced environment. This person will have significant independence to define and deliver the work required to make our clients successful. Qualifications: • Bachelor's degree in Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, or a relevant field is required; Master’s degree is advantageous • Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in operations management, including areas such as manufacturing (including Lean Six Sigma/continuous improvement), operations strategy, footprint optimization (manufacturing/distribution networks), supply chain, SIOP (sales, inventory, operations planning) • Previous experience with Private Equity clients/firm (M&A deals) especially in Manufacturing & Distribution is a plus • Must be willing to travel Sunday evening to Thursday evening, weekly • Advanced analytical skills with high proficiency in MS Excel is required (Power BI or Tableau experience is a plus) • Experience with leading cross-functional collaboration with project teams and stakeholders, proven ability to build consensus across teams and stakeholders • Ability to complete detailed assessments of manufacturing and distribution operations (footprint/network) and implement improvements, specifically for productivity increase and operating cost reduction • Ability to creatively solve problems and analyze client data • Strong written and verbal communication skills as evidenced by the ability to articulate complex technical concepts and business impacts to diverse audiences, including executives and stakeholders • 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 • Preferred Locations: Chicago, IL; Atlanta, GA; Dallas, TX; Nashville, TN; Boston, MA 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 $123,500.00 - $197,500.00 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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