Program Manager

Tenneco; Plymouth (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Tenneco, a global manufacturer and distributor to the transportation industry, seeks a Program Manager to lead customer and internal programs with cross‑functional teams. You’ll drive timing, quality, cost, and delivery through gate reviews and launches, ensuring financial and customer targets are met.

Responsibilities include coordinating with customers, suppliers, plants, and internal teams; developing comprehensive timing plans; leading reviews; and mitigating risks while supporting

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or related field.
• MBA preferred and PMP/PMI certification preferred.
• Minimum 5 years in program or project management in manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead programs from award through launch and production across gates.
• Ensure safety, timing, delivery, quality, cost, and financials meet objectives.
• Coordinate between customers, suppliers, plants, and cross‑functional teams.
• Develop timing plans and lead program reviews with stakeholders.
• Identify risks, mitigation, and elevate critical issues to leadership.
• Manage scope changes and perform trade‑offs among cost, timing, quality.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder mgmt

Problem solving

Cross-functional

Communication

Scheduling

Resource planning

Analytical

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA

PMP/PMI

Tools

Microsoft Project

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 Program Manager is responsible for leading assigned customer and internal programs in accordance with Tenneco program management processes and phase-gate requirements. This role provides cross-functional leadership from quotation through launch and production. Ensuring program objectives for timing, quality, cost, delivery, financial performance, and customer satisfaction are achieved.

The Program Manager serves as the central point of coordination between customers, suppliers, plants, and functional teams, driving accountability, collaboration, risk mitigation, and successful program execution. The position champions Tenneco's project management methodology and promotes a disciplined, results-oriented approach throughout the organization.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead assigned programs through all program phases and gate reviews from award through launch and production.
• Ensure achievement of program objectives related to safety, timing, delivery, quality, cost, and financial performance.
• Serve as the primary communication and coordination point between customers, suppliers, plants, and cross-functional teams.
• Develop, maintain, and execute comprehensive timing plans to support successful program launches and customer milestones.
• Lead regular program review meetings, customer reviews, and phase-gate reviews.
• Identify program risks early, develop mitigation plans, and elevate critical issues through appropriate management channels.
• Manage program scope changes, including customer-directed changes, and ensure proper evaluation and approvals.
• Conduct trade-off analysis balancing timing, cost, quality, scope, and resource requirements.
• Monitor and report program status, financial performance, risks, and key deliverables to leadership.
• Support achievement of financial targets through business case validation, cost management, and execution of financial roadmaps.
• Partner with Quality, Engineering, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Finance, Sales, and Supply Chain teams to achieve program objectives.
• Support sourcing and supplier readiness activities, including PPAP, APQP, and launch readiness requirements.
• Conduct plant, supplier, and customer visits as necessary to verify readiness and resolve issues.
• Manage resources for assigned programs and provide portfolio oversight when applicable.
• Promote continuous improvement, accountability, organizational velocity, and customer-focused execution.
• Support development and utilization of Tenneco program management processes, systems, and best practices.
• Provide training, coaching, and guidance on program management methodologies and business processes when required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or a related field required.
• MBA preferred.
• PMP or PMI certification preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of program or project management experience in a manufacturing or automotive environment.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing complex customer-facing programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of phase-gate program management methodologies, tools, and best practices.
• Experience in Engineering, Operations, Quality, Purchasing, Finance, Sales, or related functional areas preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong leadership and team-building capabilities.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong execution, decision‑making, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience with project scheduling and resource planning tools, including Microsoft Project.
• Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, Lean Manufacturing, GD&T, Failure Analysis, and automotive product development processes.
• Understanding program financial management, costing, and pricing.
• Ability to effectively influence without direct authority.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Customer‑focused mindset with the ability to build strong relationships across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to travel up to 25%, including domestic and international travel as required.

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