All the expertise.
None of the $190K overhead.
Hiring a full-time Operational Excellence Leader costs $190,000–$250,000 a year fully loaded—before they ship a single improvement. EQS delivers the same strategic capability on a fractional basis, starting the day you sign.
What a Full-Time Hire Actually Costs
The salary is just the starting point. Here’s what organizations routinely underestimate.
Source: BLS, SHRM, and typical manufacturing industry benchmarks. Senior-level or multi-site hires trend higher.
All travel, tools, and deliverables included. Scope flexes as your needs evolve—add a project sprint, pause between initiatives, or step up to multi-site coverage.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Beyond cost: capability, flexibility, and speed-to-value.
| Factor | Full-Time Hire | EQS Retainer |
|---|---|---|
| Time to first result | 3–6 months (hiring + ramp) | 2–4 weeks |
| Year 1 fully-loaded cost | $190K–$250K+ | $54K–$90K |
| Lean Six Sigma Black Belt depth | Varies by candidate | Guaranteed |
| ISO 9001 QMS expertise | Often separate hire needed | Included |
| Shop-floor & executive alignment | Depends on experience | Core methodology |
| Scalable scope (project bursts) | Fixed headcount cost | Add sprints as needed |
| Training capability (Yellow/Green/Black) | Sometimes; add-on cost | Included in model |
| Analytics & dashboard build-out | Varies; often outsourced | SPC, OEE, Power BI |
| Termination / change risk | Severance, legal exposure | Cancel with notice |
| Fresh, cross-industry perspective | Single background | Multi-industry pattern recognition |
What’s Included in Your EQS Engagement
A full operational excellence function—without the full-time headcount.
Prioritized 90-day and annual improvement plans tied to your KPIs, not generic best practices.
DMAIC and Kaizen events that move from define to control in weeks, not quarters.
Gap analysis, right-sized documentation, internal audits, and Stage 1/2 certification prep.
SPC control charts, OEE tracking, and automated reports built in Excel or Power BI.
Yellow, Green, and Black Belt programs plus supervisor coaching so capability stays in-house.
Weekly or biweekly cadence meetings, A3 reviews, and a living improvement roadmap kept current.
From Signed to Results—Without the Wait
While a new hire is still going through onboarding, EQS is already delivering.
On-site or virtual current-state review; constraint and waste mapping.
Prioritized improvement plan with ROI estimates, quick wins flagged.
DMAIC or Kaizen event targeting your highest-value opportunity.
Control plans, dashboards, and cadence reviews keep gains locked in.
A full-time hire typically reaches this same point at month 6–9, after onboarding, culture alignment, and ramp.
Results Speak for Themselves
Real outcomes across manufacturing and tier-supplier clients.
precision machining
single project
6-week ROI
SMED event
from gap analysis
within 90 days
“EQS helped us cut changeover time by 40% and stabilize our process. Practical, data-driven, and highly collaborative. We got more in three months than we did in two years of trying to build the capability internally.” — Plant Manager, Tier-2 Manufacturer
Common Questions
Is this right for smaller manufacturers?
Yes—and fractional engagement is often the only realistic option for mid-size facilities that need Black Belt expertise but can’t justify a full-time headcount. Engagements start at a Lean Assessment.
How does the retainer work in practice?
Monthly retainers include on-site or virtual working sessions, KPI reviews, project facilitation, and async advisory. Scope is defined at engagement start and can flex as priorities shift.
What if we want to bring capability in-house later?
That’s built into the model. EQS trains your team while delivering projects, so you build internal Green and Black Belts who can sustain the work long-term.
Can you work alongside an existing quality team?
Absolutely. EQS plugs into your existing structure—coaching internal teams, running specific projects, or taking on the strategic roadmap while your staff handles execution.
Ready to see if EQS is the right fit?
A 30-minute discovery call is all it takes to understand your biggest constraint and whether a fractional engagement makes sense for your operation.