Continuous Improvement Manager

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.

Leads the site’s continuous improvement initiatives designed to eliminate non-value added activities while improving operational excellence. Ensures existing processes maintain a high level of performance while continuously reviewing and refining those processes. Responsible for the establishment of an operational excellence culture throughout all plant operations with emphasis on sustainable improvement. Drives change management across all business levels and teams. Leads teams to successful implementation of continuous improvement initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the position.

Manages CI projects strategies for transactional and / or manufacturing operations within a local region or business unit.

Performs gap analysis to identify deficiencies in business processes and programs and recommends countermeasures to address gaps.

Initiates CI Projects that will reduce waste, improve efficiency and improve output. Links process deficiencies directly to bottom line impact.

Leads cross-functional project teams formed to implement change and drives continuous improvement.

Drives projects with a focus on continuous improvement of safety, quality, cost, and delivery.

Uses appropriate problem-solving tools to provide rapid improvement with sustainable results.

Ensures adherence to standard processes for data collection, documentation and reporting.

Plans budget and manages costs related to continuous improvement initiatives.

Manages, trains and mentors team members.

Builds project plans, including resources, timeline, critical paths, etc.

Participates in continuous improvement reviews with plant and / or Regional Management. 

Other duties as assigned. 

Education / Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree required.

10 + years of experience in operations required.

3+ years of hands-on continuous improvement experience required.

Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification required.

Skills

Must have thorough understanding of cycle time reduction, waste reduction, yield improvement, productivity and throughput improvement.

Hands-on experience using Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement methods (LEAN, TPM, Six Sigma, TQM).

Proven leadership skills to coach and lead teams to fully deliver chartered objectives and projects.

Demonstrated project management experience.

Proficient with Microsoft Applications: Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint

Must be a self-starter with excellent organizational skills in project management to handle multiple tasks concurrently.

Advanced problem solving capabilities and attention to detail.

Travel:

Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected 25% of the time. Physical Demands & Work Environment:

Often required to sit and use their hands and fingers, to handle or feel.

Often required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and lift up to 20 lbs.

Vision abilities include close vision.

Exposed to moving mechanical parts and vehicles 90% of the time.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high. 

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.