Job Summary

A growing manufacturing support organization is seeking a Manufacturing Business Advisor to partner with small and mid-sized manufacturers across Washington State. This direct hire opportunity is ideal for an experienced manufacturing operations professional who enjoys solving complex business challenges, influencing change, and helping companies achieve measurable improvements.

In this highly consultative role, you will work directly with business owners, plant leaders, and executive teams to assess operational needs, identify improvement opportunities, and guide practical solutions that strengthen performance, competitiveness, and long-term growth. This position offers significant autonomy, work-from-home flexibility, regular field engagement, and the opportunity to make a visible impact on local manufacturers and communities.

The work environment is mission-driven, collaborative, and focused on delivering meaningful value to Washington manufacturers. You will have the support of strong leadership, access to professional development, and the opportunity to help shape and expand an important business support program while building trusted relationships across the manufacturing community.

Key Responsibilities

- Conduct on-site business and operational assessments for small and mid-sized manufacturing clients.
- Identify opportunities to improve processes, increase efficiency, reduce waste, and support sustainable growth.
- Develop practical implementation roadmaps, action plans, and measurable improvement strategies.
- Lead continuous improvement, operational excellence, and change management initiatives with client teams.
- Coach owners, executives, plant leaders, and management teams through operational challenges and improvement efforts.
- Manage multiple client projects while tracking outcomes, communicating return on investment, and maintaining strong relationships.

Compensation and Benefits

- Salary range: $125,000 to $135,000 per year.
- Direct hire opportunity.
- Primarily remote/home-office based role.
- Frequent client visits throughout Western Washington, particularly the Puget Sound region.
- Approximately three days per week in the field meeting with manufacturing clients.
- Regular local and regional travel required.
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Retirement plan with company match.
- Generous paid time off and holidays.
- Flexible scheduling.
- Work-from-home flexibility.
- Professional development and training opportunities.
- Cell phone reimbursement.
- Mileage and travel reimbursement.
- Life and disability insurance.
- Employee assistance resources.

Required Qualifications and Skills

- Conduct manufacturing business assessments and identify operational improvement opportunities.
- Lead continuous improvement, Lean, Six Sigma, quality, production, or operational excellence initiatives.
- Develop implementation plans and manage client-facing improvement projects.
- Advise executives, owners, and plant leadership on practical solutions and measurable outcomes.

- 6 to 10 years of experience in manufacturing, operations, production, quality, continuous improvement, consulting, or related leadership roles.
- Strong hands-on experience in manufacturing environments.
- Demonstrated success implementing measurable operational improvements.
- Strong understanding of process improvement, production operations, quality systems, and operational performance metrics.
- Ability to influence stakeholders without direct authority and build credibility with business owners and senior leaders.
- Excellent communication, coaching, relationship-building, and presentation skills.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and client engagements.
- Curiosity, adaptability, problem-solving ability, and a passion for continuous learning.
- Ability to travel regularly throughout Western Washington and the Puget Sound region.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience as an Operations Manager, Continuous Improvement Manager, Lean Practitioner, Manufacturing Consultant, Quality Manager, Quality Engineer, Operational Excellence Leader, Plant Manager, Manufacturing Program Manager, or Process Improvement Specialist.
- Experience supporting small or mid-sized manufacturers.
- Familiarity with technology adoption, modernization, automation, or Industry 4.0 initiatives.
- Lean, Six Sigma, quality, or project management certification.
- Prior consulting, advisory, coaching, or client-facing program management experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans

The Know Your Rights poster is available here:
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf

The pay transparency policy is available here:
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_%20English_formattedESQA508c.pdf

For temporary assignments lasting 13 weeks or longer, AppleOne is pleased to offer major medical, dental, vision, 401k and any statutory sick pay where required.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact your staffing representative who will reach out to our HR team.

AppleOne participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
https://e-verify.uscis.gov/web/media/resourcesContents/E-Verify_Participation_Poster_ES.pdf

We also consider for employment qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements, including, if applicable, the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to applicable state and municipal Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, including, if applicable, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For Los Angeles, CA applicants: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.