Lean CI Engineer: Plant Excellence & Waste Reduction

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

SUMMARY: The Continuous Improvement (CI) Engineer is responsible for driving operational excellence and process improvement initiatives across the Waupun manufacturing facility. This role supports plant leadership and cross-functional teams in identifying inefficiencies, reducing waste, improving product flow, and increasing overall productivity using Lean Manufacturing principles.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead, support and facilitates Continuous Improvement projects, cost reductions, and process performance improvements aligned with plant goals and business priorities
• Maintains CI implementation schedules for assigned projects, progress updates as required and provides documentation that demonstrates the direct link between the CI process implementation and Plant Operations improvements.
• Provides CI training and coaching at all levels of the plant.
• Participates in and leads teams aimed at the resolution of quality issues and concerns.
• Supports production control, material control, material planning departments in improvement projects relating to scheduling, inventory management and raw material flow and tracking.
• Partner with operations, quality, maintenance, and engineering teams to identify and eliminate waste through process analysis and Lean tools (Kaizen, 5S, VSM, SMED, Standard Work, etc.)
• Provides engineering support on projects addressing staffing, manpower, time, and capacity analysis.
• Generates, provides, and participates in department specific training needs.
• Calculates cost reductions and determines the optimal problem-solving method.
• Teams with the Plant Controller to document savings and profit results of continuous improvement activities.
• Accountable for tracking CI Projects and reporting progress to plant staff.
• Conduct time studies, root cause analyses, and process audits to recommend and implement process enhancements
• Assists in monitoring department equipment (OEE) and interface with Maintenance department to identify maintenance, repair and TPM.
• Works with process owner to develop value stream maps for each process and each value stream family within the facility.
• Utilizes the concepts of continuous improvement and cost reduction in the execution of the job function.
• Lead and facilitate Kaizen events and Rapid Improvement Workshops (RIWs)
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and employee involvement
• Ability to work both independently and in a team setting.
• Attendance is required.
• Other tasks as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's Degree in an engineering discipline or equivalent work experience
• 3+ years of experience in Operations.
• Experience in identifying areas of improvement.
• Experience in Lean, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement or Process Improvement
• Green Belt certification or better
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Strong understanding of contemporary problem-solving tools and techniques.
• Ability to think creatively and proactively propose solutions with an attention to detail.
• Strong knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database management software.
• Knowledge of data analysis
• Familiarity with AutoCAD or similar software
• Ability to effectively facilitate meetings and drive change management across teams.
• Ability to build effective working relationships throughout the organization.
• Ability to operate independently within a tight deadline environment.
• High-energy self-starter with a resilient, can-do attitude.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read to read and write English. Ability to read and interpret…