Global CI Director: Lean & Operational Excellence

Tenneco Inc.; Northville (MI); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Tenneco Inc. seeks a Global CI Director to lead continuous improvement strategy across manufacturing sites, driving P3 initiatives and aligning operations with financial goals. You will champion Lean, Six Sigma, and structured problem solving while building CI capabilities across regions.

Responsible for standardizing best practices, coaching teams, and partnering with senior leadership to accelerate execution, safety, quality, and productivity improvements across multiple sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, operations, engineering, or a related field required.
• MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in continuous improvement, operational excellence, lean, and/or manufacturing operations.
• Strong knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, Kaizen, Standard Work, A3, 8D, and other structured improvement methodologies.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional improvement initiatives across complex, multi-site operations.
• Strong business and operational acumen, with the ability to connect process improvements to financial performance.
• Experience building CI systems, governance, metrics, and capability across regions or multiple facilities.
• Proven leadership ability in coaching teams, driving accountability, and leading organizational change.
• Strong communication and influencing skills with the ability to work effectively in a matrixed global organization.
• Experience in manufacturing, operations, supply chain, or similarly complex industrial environments preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications required.

Responsibilities

• Lead global continuous improvement strategy and execution across manufacturing and operational sites.
• Lead and align P3 initiatives across plants to support consistent deployment, execution discipline, and operational performance.
• Lead manufacturing transformation projects.
• Drive operational excellence initiatives that improve productivity, reduce waste, and strengthen financial performance.
• Ensure continuous improvement systems, tools, and standard processes are deployed consistently across the organization.
• Partner with senior leadership to align CI priorities, resources, and execution plans with business objectives.
• Lead cross-functional improvement efforts focused on safety, quality, cost, delivery, inventory, and throughput performance.
• Identify process gaps, performance losses, and operational inefficiencies, then translate findings into clear corrective actions and implementation plans.
• Champion Lean, Six Sigma, value stream, and structured problem-solving methodologies to deliver sustainable results.
• Establish, monitor, and communicate key CI metrics, reviews, and performance reporting.
• Lead CI capability building through training, assessments, coaching, and development of continuous improvement resources.
• Ensure plant-level certification requirements are established, tracked, and sustained to reinforce standard work, capability, and continuous improvement maturity.
• Support plant, regional, and global teams in driving standardization, best-practice sharing, and execution discipline.
• Participate in long-range operational planning, including footprint, expansion, and consolidation activities that improve cost and performance.
• Develop resource plans, budgets, and strategic plans for areas of responsibility.
• Lead, coach, and develop direct reports while strengthening succession planning and team capability.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, governance requirements, and applicable laws and regulations

Skills

Lean

Six Sigma

Kaizen

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic planning

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or engineering

MBA preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Tenneco Inc. seeks a Global CI Director to lead continuous improvement strategy across manufacturing sites, driving P3 initiatives and aligning operations with financial goals. You will champion Lean, Six Sigma, and structured problem solving while building CI capabilities across regions.

Responsible for standardizing best practices, coaching teams, and partnering with senior leadership to accelerate execution, safety, quality, and productivity improvements across multiple sites.