Operational Excellence Specialist

Tenneco Inc.; Northville (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Tenneco Inc. in Michigan seeks a P3 Operational Excellence Specialist to lead the development, deployment, and sustainment of operational excellence strategies across the P3 organization.

This role drives continuous process improvement, enables business transformation, and aligns strategy with execution and performance management. You will partner with cross-functional leaders to foster governance and accountability, build executive dashboards, and communicate strategic initiatives through

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• 3–5 years in project/program management, continuous improvement, manufacturing, or business transformation.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and accountability mindset.
• Proven proficiency with Excel and PowerPoint for data analysis and executive presentations.
• Experience with AI tooling to improve efficiency (Copilot Enterprise).
• Lean Six Sigma or PMP aspirational certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and improve operational excellence certification programs.
• Oversee the full certification lifecycle from application to recognition.
• Maintain governance aligned with internal frameworks and requirements.
• Track metrics and actions across manufacturing and supply chain.
• Support roadmaps for capability development and maturity.
• Provide training, coaching, and certification support.
• Ensure documented standard work and evidence.
• Develop executive-level dashboards and presentations.
• Enable data-driven decision making with reporting processes.
• Drive governance forums and quarterly business reviews.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve dashboards and visibility.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Program management

Continuous improvement

Ownership

Proactive approach

AI tooling (Copilot Enterprise)

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Project planning tools

Copilot Enterprise

Job description

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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.

The P3 Operational Excellence Specialist leads the development, deployment, and sustainment of operational excellence strategies across the P3 organization. This role drives continuous process improvement, enables business transformation, and establishes governance frameworks that deliver measurable business results. The position partners closely with cross-functional leaders to align strategy, execution, and performance management while fostering a culture of operational discipline, accountability, and continuous improvement.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and continuously improve Operational Excellence certification programs across the organization.
• Lead and oversee the full certification lifecycle, including application, assessment preparation, audits, certification achievement, and recognition activities.
• Maintain standards and governance to align with internal frameworks and certification requirements.
• Track certification status, key metrics, and improvement actions across manufacturing and supply chain operations.
• Support development certification roadmaps that support capability development and operational maturity.
• Provide training, coaching, and certification support to build and sustain organizational capabilities.
• Ensure documentation, standard work, and evidence requirements are consistently maintained.
• Develop, organize, and deliver executive-level PowerPoint presentations to communicate strategic initiatives, performance updates, and key business recommendations.
• Build executive-level dashboards and reporting processes that enable data-driven decision-making.
• Ensure accountability through regular business reviews, operational scorecards, and governance forums.
• Develop meeting structures, communication plans, and follow-up mechanisms to drive decision execution.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to design, implement, and continuously improve automated dashboards that provide program performance visibility and insights.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in project or program management, continuous improvement, manufacturing, or business transformation.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Strong project and program management experience with a focus on facilitating cross-functional collaboration, managing timelines and deliverables, sustaining standardized processes, and driving continuous improvement to improve operational performance and organizational maturity.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Excel, project planning and scheduling tools, and PowerPoint for data analysis, reporting, and executive presentations.
• Ownership and a proactive approach.
• Use of AI to be more efficient (Copilot Enterprise)
• Preferred Certifications: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, PMP, or similar (aspirations to take either as well).

We don’t want average. We want exceptional. We want someone who’s hungry to build, unafraid to challenge, and bold enough to lead with empathy, speed, and precision. Sound like you? Let us know.

Equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities