Jillian Ryan

Director of Engineering
Naperville, IL, United States

Professional Overview

Jillian Ryan is an accomplished engineering leader with a proven track record of driving operational excellence and innovation. As the Director of Engineering at Ecolab, she leverages her extensive technical expertise and strategic management capabilities to oversee complex engineering projects, optimize production processes, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Experience Summary

Current Role

As the Director of Engineering at Ecolab, Jillian is responsible for leading a team of cross-functional engineers and technicians to ensure the efficient and reliable operation of the company's manufacturing facilities. She collaborates closely with production, quality, and business stakeholders to identify opportunities for process optimization, equipment upgrades, and cost savings. Jillian's strategic decision-making and data-driven approach have contributed to significant improvements in plant productivity, product quality, and operational efficiency.

Career Progression

Prior to her current role, Jillian held several leadership positions at Henkel, where she demonstrated her ability to drive organizational change and deliver measurable results. As the Production Manager, she was instrumental in streamlining production workflows, implementing lean manufacturing principles, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Earlier in her career, Jillian served as an Engineering Manager and Senior Process Engineer, contributing her expertise in process development, project management, and team leadership.

Jillian's diverse background also includes valuable experience as a Chemistry Teaching Assistant at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an R&D Process Development Intern at The Clorox Company, where she gained hands-on experience in research, process optimization, and product development.

Academic Background

Jillian holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business, further enhancing her strategic and business acumen.

Areas of Expertise

• Process engineering and optimization

• Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement

• Project management and cross-functional collaboration

• Team leadership and talent development

• Data analysis and decision-making

• Process safety and regulatory compliance

Professional Impact

Throughout her career, Jillian has demonstrated a strong commitment to driving operational excellence and fostering a culture of innovation. At Henkel, she led the implementation of a new continuous film value stream, which resulted in a 20% increase in production capacity and a 15% reduction in manufacturing costs. As a Senior Process Engineer, Jillian developed and scaled a novel paste formulation that improved product quality and reduced waste, contributing to significant cost savings for the organization.

Conclusion

Jillian Ryan's extensive engineering expertise, coupled with her strategic leadership skills and business acumen, make her a valuable asset to Ecolab. Driven by a passion for continuous improvement and a commitment to delivering exceptional results, Jillian is poised to continue making a lasting impact on the engineering and manufacturing landscape.