Jobs › Medline

Sr Spec Continuous Improvement

Medline · Northfield, IL · $101,000–$152,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 23, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

Apply at Medline

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

Walk me through a Lean Six Sigma project you led from opportunity to benefit realization.

What they are checking: Whether they can run a full DMAIC project and prove the savings were real and lasted.

Tell me about an improvement that didn't stick. What happened and what did you learn?

What they are checking: Whether they understand sustainment needs controls and ownership, not just a good kickoff.

Tell me about someone you coached on CI tools. How did they grow?

What they are checking: Whether they build CI skill in others, which is part of being a subject matter expert and coach.

What would you do

You're running a kaizen with front-line associates and leaders in the same room. How do you get honest input?

What they are checking: Whether they can create a setting where front-line people speak up even with leaders present.

A process owner resists a change your data says is needed. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they influence through involvement and evidence rather than forcing change that later gets reversed.

How do you pick which improvement opportunities to pursue when there are more than you can handle?

What they are checking: Whether they prioritize by value and effort and align with what leadership needs.

About the work

How do you build a business case and baseline before you start an improvement project?

What they are checking: Whether they set a credible baseline so the results later can't be argued away.

How would you apply Lean in a corporate office process instead of a manufacturing line?

What they are checking: Whether they can see waste in transactional work like approvals and handoffs, not just on a factory floor.

What process controls would you put in place so a fix holds after you leave the project?

What they are checking: Whether they use control plans, visual management and owned metrics to lock in gains.

What statistical tools do you rely on most, and when would you avoid using them?

What they are checking: Whether they know when a simple tool is enough and avoid heavy analysis that slows decisions.

Practice this interview out loud.

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

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Medline.

Job Summary The Sr Spec Continuous Improvement is responsible for leading and executing complex, high-impact process improvement initiatives across corporate and manufacturing environments. This role applies Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to deliver sustainable results, drive measurable business value, and strengthen a culture of Continuous Improvement. The Senior Specialist operates with a high degree of independence, serves as a subject matter expert and coach to others, and partners with cross-functional stakeholders to improve performance, quality, and customer satisfaction. Job Description MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES Lead end-to-end continuous improvement initiatives, including opportunity identification, data analysis, solution design, implementation, and benefit realization. Apply Lean Six Sigma tools and methodologies to solve complex problems and improve process efficiency, quality, and effectiveness. Serve as a change agent by influencing stakeholders, promoting CI principles, and ensuring improvements are understood, adopted, and sustained. Design and implement effective process controls, metrics, and governance to ensure long-term sustainability of improvements. Facilitate workshops, kaizen events, and process mapping sessions with cross-functional teams ranging from front-line associates to leadership. Develop business cases, baseline metrics, and return-on-investment (ROI) analyses for improvement initiatives; track and communicate realized benefits. Coach, mentor, and provide technical guidance to Continuous Improvement Specialists and other team members on CI tools, methodologies, and best practices. Contribute to the development and delivery of CI training and capability-building efforts. Partner with business, Quality, Operations, and IT stakeholders to align process improvement efforts with organizational priorities. Identify opportunities to standardize best practices and scale successful improvements across the organization. Perform other duties as assigned. MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS Education Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience. Certification / Licensure Lean and/or Six Sigma Green Belt required. Six Sigma Black Belt certification preferred or willingness to obtain. Work Experience 4+ years of successful experience leading continuous improvement, Lean, or Six Sigma initiatives. Demonstrated experience independently managing complex projects and delivering measurable results. Knowledge / Skills / Abilities Advanced problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret and apply data to drive decisions. Strong facilitation, communication, and stakeholder management skills. Ability to influence without direct authority and work effectively in a matrixed environment. Proven ability to coach and mentor others in CI methods and tools. Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Proficiency with common CI and analytical tools (e.g., process mapping, statistical analysis, and Microsoft Office applications). Willingness to travel up to 25% of the time for business purposes, as needed. PREFERRED JOB REQUIREMENTS Education Master’s degree in Engineering, Industrial & Systems Engineering, or a related field. Certification / Licensure Six Sigma Black Belt certification. Knowledge / Skills / Abilities Experience facilitating multi-day kaizen events and workshops. Familiarity with regulated environments and quality systems (e.g., FDA, QSR, ISO). Experience working with ERP systems (e.g., SAP). Medline Industries, LP, and its subsidiaries, offer a competitive total rewards package, continuing education & training, and tremendous potential with a growing worldwide organization. The anticipated salary range for this position: $101,000.00 - $152,000.00 Annual The actual salary will vary based on applicant’s location, education, experience, skills, and abilities. This role is bonus and/or incentive eligible. Medline will not pay less than the applicable minimum wage or salary threshold. Our benefit package includes health insurance, life and disability, 401(k) contributions, paid time off, etc., for employees working 30 or more hours per week on average. For roles where employees work less than 30 hours per week, benefits include 401(k) contributions, paid time off, as well as access to the Employee Assistance Program, Employee Resource Groups and the Employee Service Corp. For a more comprehensive list of our benefits please click here . We’re dedicated to creating a Medline where everyone feels they belong and can grow their career. We strive to do this by seeking diversity in all forms, acting inclusively, and ensuring that people have tools and resources to perform at their best. Explore our Belonging page here . Medline Industries, LP is an equal opportunity employer. Medline evaluates qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, neurodivergence, protected veteran status, marital or family status, caregiver responsibilities, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Apply at Medline