CI Director

Tenneco is one of the world’s leading designer, manufacturers and marketers of automotive products for original equipment and aftermarket customers, with approximately 78.000 team members working at more than 300 sites worldwide. Through our four business groups, Motorparts, Ride Performance, Clean Air and Powertrain, Tenneco is driving advancements in global mobility by delivering technology solutions for diversified global markets, including light vehicle, commercial truck, off-highway, industrial, motorsport and the aftermarket.

The CI Director will lead the continuous improvement initiatives through the elimination of non-value added activities while improving operational excellence and accelerating financial performance. Ensures DRiV’s Business Systems are integrated consistently and processes maintain a high level of performance while continuously reviewing and refining those processes. Responsible for the establishment of an operational excellence culture at all sites with an emphasis on sustainable development. Develops and leads teams through continuous improvement strategies. Analyzes key business metrics from a leader’s viewpoint. 

Key Responsibilities:

Work collaboratively with the Sr. Management and other leadership across Tenneco. Must be able to work effectively in a matrix organization across multiple regions and functions to leverage and align resources to successfully fulfill responsibilities. Includes strategy development and execution of policies, processes, and tools to deliver a best in class performance. Identifies opportunities to drive efficiency and productivity as well as lead the development and tactical execution of implementation plans. Ensures proper utilization of facilities, people, equipment, and Enterprise Resource Planning systems. Assures compliance with Tenneco corporate governance, appropriate laws, and regulations.

• Highly visible leadership role that interacts, communicates, and presents to leaders across Tenneco. Strong interpersonal skills and very strong understanding of Continuous Improvement, Lean / Six Sigma methodologies.
• Champions, leads and manages continuous improvement projects and implements a cost leadership model.
• Leads continuous improvement competency assessments and training to develop talent across the organization. Ensures standard processes and tools are leveraged, coordinates Continuous Improvement reviews, publishes metrics and reports. This position description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the role and it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.
• Performs gap analysis to identify deficiencies in business processes and programs, and recommends adjustments to programs and/or processes. Links process deficiencies directly to bottom line impact.
• Leads cross-functional project teams formed to implement change and drive continuous improvement. Ensures adherence to standard processes for data collection, documentation and reporting.
• Drives mixed-model value-stream implementation projects with a focus on continuous improvement of safety, quality, cost, and delivery.
• Use appropriate problem solving tools to provide rapid improvement with sustainable results.
• Directly supervises, trains and mentors continuous improvement resources.
• Manages diverse continuous improvement strategies for transactional and/or manufacturing operations. Builds plans to continuous improvement projects, including resources, timeline, critical paths, etc.
• Develops and leverages best-in-class manufacturing / warehouse distribution processes and tools. Champions continuous improvement competency assessments.
• Proactively develops and directs Continuous Improvement projects to ensure the efficient and costeffective operation and utilization of facilities. Participates in operational continuous improvement reviews with local and/or regional management.
• Participates in long-range plant expansion and consolidation activities to achieve the best-optimized cost and performance to deliver profitable growth.
• Conducts annual resource plans, budgets, profit plans along with 3-5 strategic plans for key areas of responsibilities.
• In collaboration with Human Resources, develops and maintains a productive work team by creating programs for hiring, training, professional development, succession planning, and top tier employee engagement. Approves direct report objectives and evaluates performance; develops employees through coaching and training.  

Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Operations, or Engineering. MBA preferred.
• 10+ years in Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, Lean, and / or Manufacturing Operations.
• Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification required.
• Must have extensive understanding of cycle time reduction, waste reduction, yield improvement, productivity and throughput improvement.
• Hands-on experience using Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement methods and tools (LEAN, TPM, Six Sigma, TQM, Kaizen, Standard Work, 8D, A3, etc.).
• Project management expertise and proven leadership skills to coach and lead teams to fully deliver chartered objectives and projects. This position description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the role and it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position. 

Travel: 

• Travel up to 50% of the time 

We are committed to the safety and health of our employees. We adhere to social distancing recommendations and other protocols, ensuring a safe work environment for all.