Continuous Improvement Specialist

Tenneco · Marshall, MI

Level: Specialist
Team: Lean / CI
Degree: Required
Experience asked: 5+ years
Certification: Black Belt preferred
Industry: Automotive
Posted: 6 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A specialist continuous improvement role at Tenneco (automotive) in Marshall, MI. Drive the development and implementation of Continuous Improvement projects consistent with and in support of the strategic plan and business operating plan.

They ask for: 5+ years · degree required · Black Belt preferred
Tools it names: Lean, Six Sigma, Black Belt, TPM

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of November 9, 2026

Continuous Improvement roles in Michigan: typical posted base $89k–$136k.

Median of the low and high ends of 9 live postings that list pay, out of 24 continuous improvement openings in Michigan, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Michigan plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 23 other live lean / ci postings in Michigan.

Base pay: Not listed in this posting
Experience asked: More than usual (5+ vs 3+)

Skills these teams ask for most

✓ Lean 100%
Kaizen 63%
Root cause 58%
✓ Six Sigma 46%
Value stream mapping 42%
5S 38%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

It asks for 5+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

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
We found 1 person at this company and state: 1 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See 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.
Write to Mike → (free)
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 Marshall

2 other open roles at this site · 1 person we found in lean / ci roles at Tenneco.

Production Manager · Production · Manager
Maintenance Technician · Reliability · Technician

Full description from TennecoAs posted on their careers site.Show

Responsibilities

◆Drive the development and implementation of Continuous Improvement projects consistent with and in support of the strategic plan and business operating plan.
◆Assist in designing new procedures and methods for operational processes.
◆By utilizing projects charters with deliverables, will work with site leaders to identify, modify, and sustain desired changes including reducing waste and improving inefficiencies.
◆Mentor/train employees to realize benefits from all continuous improvement initiatives and act as a change agent to the site/organization.
◆Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and prioritize improvement opportunities with the focused factory team.
◆Lead projects and initiatives from idea generation to strategic execution. Provide strategic insight and evaluation of the organizations progression.
◆Act as a mentor for the Continuous Improvement leadership, supervisory staff and front line personnel.
◆Participate in developing and influencing strategy, planning, and execution depending on project or initiative needs.

Required Skills

✓Bachelor’s Degree required.
✓Minimum 3 to 5 years experience in operations.
✓Black Belt certification preferred.
✓Experience guiding team progress for continuous improvement projects/programs.
✓Experience designing, implementing and leading continuous improvement projects/programs.
✓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.
✓Excellent project management skills.
✓Proficient with Microsoft Applications: Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
✓Be a self-starter with excellent organizational skills in planning and organizing to handle multiple tasks concurrently.
✓Advanced problem solving capabilities, attention to detail and numerical aptitude.

national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Show full description ↓

Job Title: Continuous Improvement Specialist

Job Description

This position will drive the execution of the site’s continuous improvement initiatives designed to eliminate non-value added activities while improving operational excellence. Assists in the identification and proliferation of manufacturing best practices. Will be responsible for the support of an operational excellence culture throughout all plant operations with emphasis on sustainable development.