Continuous Improvement Manager
Tenneco · Napoleon, OH
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Lean / CI
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Certification
- Black Belt preferred
- Industry
- Automotive
- Posted
- 27 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management continuous improvement role at Tenneco (automotive) in Napoleon, OH. 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.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree required · Black Belt preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Black Belt, Kaizen, 5S, Root cause
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
How this role compares
Against 23 other live lean / ci postings in Ohio.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Typical (5+ years)
Typical $107k–$152k, from 8 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Lean 88%
- ✓ Six Sigma 63%
- Value stream mapping 54%
- ✓ 5S 46%
- ✓ Root cause 42%
- ✓ Kaizen 38%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Lean / CI team at Tenneco
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is CI run from the plant floor or from a corporate OpEx group?
- Which metrics does leadership actually watch: OEE, scrap, cost per unit?
- The posting mentions a Black Belt. Does the company sponsor certification?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Tenneco in Napoleon
3 other open roles at this site.
- Maintenance Technician · Reliability · Technician
- Controls Engineer · Controls
- Manufacturing Engineer · Manufacturing
Full description from TennecoAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Job Summary
The Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for leading initiatives that enhance operational efficiency, reduce waste, and drive sustainable growth. This role involves analyzing business processes, implementing Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across the organization.
Key Responsibilities
- ◆Lead and manage cross-functional continuous improvement projects.
- ◆Analyze current business processes to identify inefficiencies and areas for enhancement.
- ◆Develop and implement strategies aligned with organizational goals.
- ◆Facilitate workshops and training sessions on Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other methodologies.
- ◆Monitor and report on the effectiveness of improvement initiatives using KPIs.
- ◆Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation of changes.
- ◆Promote a culture of innovation and continuous learning.
- ◆Maintain documentation and present progress reports to senior management.
- ◆Utilize various tools (e.g., data analytics, root cause analysis, WAVE) to collect data and prioritize improvement projects that directly impact financial performance.
- ◆Analyze downtime data to identify root causes and lead cross-functional teams to implement sustainable solutions.
- ◆Conduct regular project review meetings to ensure progress, accountability, and alignment with site goals.
- ◆Facilitate and sustain 5S initiatives across all areas to drive workplace organization and efficiency.
- ◆Lead Kaizen events to engage employees and capture actionable improvement ideas.
- ◆Learn and apply Tenneco’s Clean Sheet methodology; conduct workshops to identify cost-saving and process optimization opportunities.
- ◆Collaborate closely with site leadership to identify, prioritize, and execute impactful improvement projects that support operational excellence.
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
- ✓Minimum 5 years of experience in process improvement, operations, or quality management.
- ✓Proven experience with Lean, Six Sigma (Green or Black Belt certification preferred).
- ✓Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- ✓Excellent communication and leadership abilities.
- ✓Proficiency in project management tools and data analysis software.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
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
Job Title: Continuous Improvement Manager
Department: Manufacturing
Reports To: Plant Manager
Location: Napoleon, OH
Employment Type: Full-Time
Skills
- •Proficient in analyzing Profit & Loss (P&L) statements to identify performance gaps and improvement opportunities
- •Skilled in establishing, measuring, and tracking Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to drive operational performance
- •Strong follow-up discipline to ensure timely implementation and completion of improvement projects
- •Confident in conducting difficult conversations to address project delays and remove roadblocks
- •Experienced in leading and delivering training sessions across various levels of the organization
- •Committed to fostering and sustaining a culture of continuous improvement
- •Highly motivated with a strong drive to achieve daily progress and measurable results
- •Organized and methodical with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively
- •Capable of preparing and presenting results and improvement initiatives to senior leadership