Job Description
At Tenneco, we don’t follow industry standards; we set them, and we don’t settle for being best-in-class because we hustle to be better than best-in-class. Whether it’s our Core Values – radical candor, simplify, organizational velocity, tenacious execution and win – or our Get Stuff Done (GSD) mindset, we’re determined to become the most trusted partner and best manufacturer and distributor to the transportation industry.
With a product portfolio as expansive as it is innovative, an obsessive commitment to quality and excellence, and a global presence, we’re all about getting stuff done, so we can win.
How do we make it happen? Through the Tenneco Way. Fueled by our Core Values, a winning mindset and a relentless commitment to excellence, the Tenneco Way is how we win. It’s what keeps Team Tenneco bold, driven, and unapologetically focused on pushing past limits and redefining success.
Here, you’ll work alongside a team of relentless problem-solvers who are committed to making a tangible impact. If you’re ready to break boundaries, deliver results, and enjoy the ride along the way, you’ll thrive here.
Want to learn more about who we are? Check out our website to discover the Tenneco Way
The Continuous Improvement Leader is responsible for driving measurable operational performance improvements while building sustainable systems, capabilities, and culture. This role blends hands-on execution with strategic leadership, owning both project delivery and the development of a robust continuous improvement operating system.
Key Responsibilities
Drive Business Results
- Lead and deliver high-impact CI projects targeting:
- Throughput
- Cost reduction
- Downtime elimination
- Quality improvements
- Analyze downtime, scrap, and process inefficiencies to identify root causes
- Facilitate Kaizen events, workshops, and rapid improvement activities
- Partner with operations to implement and sustain solutions
Build CI System & Structure
- Establish standardized CI tools, methods, and routines across the site
- Build KPI dashboards, scorecards, and visibility systems
- Drive governance: project prioritization, tracking, and accountability
- Implement daily management systems and performance rhythms
Developing People & Culture
- Train and coach leaders, engineers, and supervisors in Lean thinking
- Build CI capability across the organization (not just own projects)
- Drive adoption of disciplined problem-solving and data-driven decisions
- Lead cultural transformation toward accountability and continuous improvement
Strategic Alignment
- Align CI initiatives with site and business priorities
- Identify and prioritize highest ROI opportunities
- Provide clear reporting to leadership on:
- Impact
- Risks
- Pipeline
- ROI
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree (Engineering, Operations, etc.)
- Process Engineering Preferred
- 5–10 years of CI / manufacturing experience
- Lean / Six Sigma certification (Black Belt preferred)
- Proven ability to:
- Deliver measurable results
- Lead cross-functional teams
- Influence without authority
Critical Success Traits
This is where you tailor to your business reality:
- Bias for action – delivers results, not just frameworks
- Strong floor presence – not a “conference room CI leader”
- Able to challenge operations constructively
- Balances doing vs teaching
- High accountability and follow-through
- Comfortable in imperfect / evolving environments
What Makes This Role Different
- Not just a CI “coach” — must deliver tangible results
- Not just a project leader — must build systems and capability
- Direct influence on plant performance and profitability
Travel Requirements
- This position will work in the Napoleon OH plant 2 days per week and the Angola IN plant 2 days per week. 5th day in one of the plants or from home.
Equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities