Automotive OPT Jobs in Virginia

Job Description – CI Snr Specialist

ABOUT TENNECO

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.

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 CI Manager leads continuous improvement efforts within the plant to drive operational excellence, cost performance, and standardization. This role partners closely with plant leadership and cross-functional teams to improve business results through training, process improvement, problem-solving, and disciplined execution of operational initiatives. The ideal candidate brings deep operations experience, strong Lean manufacturing knowledge, and the ability to influence at all levels of the organization while building a culture of accountability, consistency, and continuous improvement.

Why The Tenneco Way Matters in This Role

This role plays an important part in bringing the Tenneco Way to life within the plant. That means helping create an environment where high standards, continuous improvement, accountability, and collaboration are part of everyday operations. For the CI Manager, this is important because success depends not only on improving processes and reducing cost, but also on building trust, developing people, and creating the discipline needed to sustain results over time. In this role, continuous improvement is not just a set of tools — it is a way of leading the business and strengthening performance.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen plant performance, reduce cost, and improve operational consistency
- Deliver training and coaching to plant personnel on continuous improvement methodologies and standard work practices
- Partner with leaders and frontline teams to identify process variation, close performance gaps, and sustain improvements
- Conduct audits and assessments to monitor compliance with operational standards and drive corrective actions where needed
- Facilitate kaizen events and improvement workshops focused on productivity, efficiency, and cost reduction
- Track, analyze, and communicate key performance indicators to measure progress and support decision-making
- Support the development and implementation of plant operating standards that enable reliable execution and long-term performance gains
- Collaborate with stakeholders across the plant to simplify processes, strengthen accountability, and accelerate results

Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field required
- 2-3 years of experience in operations roles required
- 2-3 years of experience driving operational improvement through Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies required
- Demonstrated ability to teach, coach, and embed continuous improvement practices across teams
- Experience leading kaizen events, process improvement initiatives, and cost reduction efforts in a manufacturing environment
- Lean, Six Sigma, or related certification is a plus, but not required

Preferred Leadership Profile

The successful candidate will be:
- A strong operator who can translate strategy into execution
- An effective coach who can build capability and engagement across teams
- A clear communicator who builds trust and works well across functions
- Adaptable, resilient, and comfortable leading change in dynamic environments
- Data-driven, practical, and focused on delivering measurable results

Core Competencies

- Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing
- Operations Management
- Problem Solving and Root Cause Analysis
- Project Management
- Stakeholder Management
- Analytical Thinking
- Manufacturing Processes and Technologies
- Resilience and Change Leadership

Functional Knowledge

- Plant operations and performance improvement
- Cost management and financial acumen
- Workplace safety standards and safety leadership
- Quality systems and process controls
- Lean tools, kaizen, and continuous improvement principles

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means building stronger plant capability, delivering measurable operational and cost improvements, sustaining effective standards, and creating a culture where continuous improvement becomes part of how the team works every day.

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.