Plant Manager

Tenneco; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Tenneco seeks a Plant Manager to direct all plant operations, including Production, Engineering, Quality, EHS, Finance, and HR. You will guide continuous improvement (Lean, Kaizen, BOS, TVM) and develop people, processes, and capabilities to meet internal and external customer needs.

The role emphasizes safety, budget planning, cross-functional leadership, and strategic execution in a manufacturing environment. Join a team focused on excellence and impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field is required.
• 7–10 years of automotive manufacturing and managerial experience.
• Experience leading manufacturing facility functions and cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of ISO and TS Quality Management Systems.
• Strong business acumen around capital purchases, project management, and budget planning.
• Experience with ERP systems preferred.
• Ability to engage a diverse workforce.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage all financial aspects of the facility (P&L, AOP, capital expenditures).
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Kaizen, BOS, TVM).
• Set staff goals, monitor performance, and develop the plant's people.
• Ensure safety standards and regulatory compliance.
• Interface with internal stakeholders to achieve plant objectives.
• Lead development and succession planning for team members.
• Maintain a high safety culture.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Cross-functional leadership

Manufacturing process knowledge

ISO/TS quality systems

ERP systems

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Tools

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

About The Role

The Plant Manager directs all plant operations including Production, Engineering, Quality, EHS, Finance, and Human Resource functions. The individual will guide the facility in its support of internal and external customer requirements. The Plant Manager will also direct Continuous Improvement activities (Lean, Kaizen, BOS, TVM, etc.) and coordinate the development of the plants people, processes, and capabilities.

The safety of our employees is our No 1 priority!

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and manage all financial aspects of the facility (P&L, Annual Operating Plan, capital, etc.)
• Champion of plant continuous improvement activities (BOS, Lean, TVM, Kaizen)
• Identify and track key measures to monitor facility/function effectiveness, and set and monitor staff goals and objectives.
• Ensure all people and customer requirements are maintained to the highest standard.
• Interface regularly with internal stakeholders to achieve plant objectives.
• Champion development of team members, including succession planning.
• Ensures plant is meeting highest standards of safety.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field required, or equivalent experience.
• 7-10 years of related automotive business and managerial experience required.
• Experience leading manufacturing facility functions including leading cross‑functional teams.
• Working knowledge of automotive industry and related manufacturing systems.
• Proven safety track record with demonstrated improvements in plant safety culture.
• Demonstrated use of lean principles to solve problems.
• Knowledge of ISO and TS Quality Management Systems.
• Strong business acumen specifically around capital purchases, project management, and annual operating budget planning.
• Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System Strongly Preferred.
• Ability to engage a diverse workforce.

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