Continuous Improvement Engineer

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.

Summary

This position is responsible for delivering continuous improvement training and activities throughout the plant while serving as the Subject Matter Expert on Continuous Improvement. Grows a culture of Continuous Improvement and its activities within the focused factory. Facilitates projects aimed at generating cost reductions, and process performance improvements. Provides efficient leadership and cost-effective integration of Continuous Improvement methodologies and tools creating operational excellence

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Facilitates Continuous Improvement projects, cost reductions, and process performance improvements
• Provides CI training and coaching at all levels of the plant
• Interfaces with plant engineering on projects addressing staffing, manpower, time and capacity analysis

Job Duties:

• Maintains CI implementation schedules for assigned projects, progress updates as required, and provides documentation that demonstrates the direct link between the CI process implementation and Plant Operations improvements
• Participates in teams aimed at the resolution of quality issues and concerns
• Supports production control, material control, material planning departments in improvement projects relating to scheduling, inventory management and raw material flow and tracking
• Supports prototype and pilot runs to address design and process feasibility concerns
• Generates, provides and participates in department specific training needs
• Calculates cost reductions and determines the optimal problem-solving method
• Teams with the Plant Controller to document savings and profit results of continuous improvement activities
• Accountable for tracking all CI Projects and reporting progress to plant staff
• Completes time studies to develop production standards for products
• Assists in monitoring department equipment (OEE) and interface with Maintenance department to identify maintenance, repair and TPM
• Works with process owner to develop value stream maps for each process and each value stream family within the facility
• Utilizes the concepts of continuous improvement and cost reduction in the execution of the job function
• Coordinate with the organization’s internal teams to improve product quality and meet customer requirements
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge & Skills:

• Must have a strong work ethic
• Must be well organized and a self-starter
• Must be able to follow detailed instructions
• Must have the ability to identify and solve problems and make logical decisions
• Must be able to work with precision and a high level of accuracy
• Detail oriented, professional attitude, reliable and able to focus on task at hand
• Possess strong time management skills
• Ability to understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• Ability to read blueprints and technical drawings
• Working knowledge of gages such as dial calipers, micrometers, indicators, etc.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to interact with employees in a professional manner
• Ability to speak and write English fluently
• Ability to work independently and with a team in a fast-paced and environment with emphasis on accuracy and timeliness
• Ability to perform mathematical computations such as percentages, fractions, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division quickly and accurately
• 3+ years of experience in Operations/Engineering
• Experience in identifying areas of improvement
• Experience in Lean, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement or Process Improvement
• Working towards Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions
• Strong understanding of contemporary problem-solving tools and techniques
• Ability to think creatively and proactively propose solutions with an attention to detail
• Strong knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and database management software
• Ability to effectively facilitate meetings and drive change management across teams
• Ability to build effective working relationships throughout the organization
• Ability to operate independently within a tight deadline environment
• Serves as change agent and key mentor/improvement coach for Team Leaders
• High-energy self-starter with a resilient, can-do attitude
• Experience in teaching continuous improvement thinking, by both leading and coaching others to lead Kaizen events daily is a plus
• Experience in coordinating and assisting in Kaizen and problem-solving teams in the definition of continuous improvement or problem-solving project planning concerning scope, time, quality, budget, milestones, allocation of resources, etc. considered a plus

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.