What is an Operations Manager at Tenneco?

An Operations Manager at Tenneco is a cornerstone of our manufacturing excellence. As a global leader in automotive products—including Clean Air and Powertrain solutions—Tenneco relies on this role to bridge the gap between high-level strategic goals and the daily reality of the factory floor. You are responsible for ensuring that production targets are met with the highest standards of safety, quality, and cost-efficiency.

The impact of this position is immediate and far-reaching. You will oversee complex assembly lines and manufacturing processes that produce critical components for nearly every major automotive manufacturer in the world. Your ability to manage large-scale operations directly influences Tenneco’s market reputation and financial health. In this role, you aren't just managing machines; you are leading people through the complexities of modern, high-volume automotive manufacturing.

This position is particularly critical due to the current evolution of the automotive industry. Whether you are managing a plant in Frankfort, Indiana, or Hosur, India, you will be expected to drive Lean Manufacturing initiatives and foster a culture of continuous improvement. It is a high-stakes environment where your leadership determines the resilience and agility of the production ecosystem.

Common Interview Questions

Technical & Process Questions

These questions test your fundamental understanding of how things are made and how you optimize those processes.

• Walk me through the most complex manufacturing process you have managed.
• How do you determine the "true" capacity of a production line?
• What are the first three things you look at when you walk onto a factory floor to assess its health?
• Describe your experience with Total Productive Maintenance (TPM).
• How do you handle a sudden spike in scrap rates?

Leadership & Behavioral Questions

These questions assess your "soft" skills and your ability to lead through challenges.

• Tell me about a time you had to deliver bad news to your team or your manager.
• How do you develop a high-potential employee for their next role?
• Describe a situation where you had to manage a safety violation. What were your immediate and long-term actions?
• How do you stay organized when managing multiple competing priorities on the floor?
• Give an example of a time you had to manage a difficult personality within your supervisory team.

Financial & Strategic Questions

These questions evaluate your ability to see the "big picture" of the business.

• How do you balance the trade-off between reducing inventory and maintaining high service levels?
• Explain a time you successfully reduced operational costs without sacrificing quality or safety.
• How do you contribute to the annual budgeting process for your department?
• What metrics do you believe are the most important for a Plant Manager to see daily?

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparation for the Operations Manager role requires a dual focus: a deep mastery of manufacturing fundamentals and a clear, communicative leadership style. You must be prepared to speak not just to what you have done, but to the specific "how" and "why" behind your operational decisions.

Technical Process Expertise – You must demonstrate a granular understanding of manufacturing workflows. Interviewers will often ask you to deep-dive into the processes of your previous industries (e.g., automotive, cement, or heavy machinery) to assess your ability to grasp and optimize complex systems.

Operational Leadership – This involves your ability to mobilize large teams, manage shift supervisors, and navigate labor relations. Tenneco looks for leaders who can maintain morale and productivity even during high-pressure periods or technical setbacks.

Financial and Data Acumen – You will be evaluated on your ability to interpret P&L statements, manage budgets, and use data to drive operational changes. Demonstrating a link between floor-level activities and bottom-line results is essential for success.

Safety and Quality Culture – At Tenneco, safety is non-negotiable. You must show a proactive approach to EHS (Environmental Health and Safety) standards and a commitment to quality frameworks such as IATF 16949.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process for an Operations Manager at Tenneco is designed to be comprehensive, involving stakeholders from multiple functional areas. It typically begins with a screening phase to align on basic qualifications and compensation expectations, followed by a series of more rigorous technical and behavioral evaluations.

You can expect to meet with the Plant Manager, HR Head, and often the Financial Controller or Managing Director. This cross-functional approach ensures that you possess both the technical grit required for the floor and the professional maturity needed to participate in plant leadership. The pace is generally steady, though the level of organization can vary by location. In many cases, you will also have the opportunity to meet with colleagues in your specific function to understand the immediate requirements of the facility.

This timeline illustrates the progression from initial functional vetting to executive-level alignment. Candidates should use the earlier rounds to gather as much specific information about the plant’s current challenges as possible, as this intelligence will be vital when speaking with the Plant Manager or MD in the final stages.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

Manufacturing Excellence & Lean Tools

This area focuses on your ability to eliminate waste and optimize throughput. Tenneco operates in a high-volume environment where even small efficiencies scale into significant cost savings. You will be tested on your practical application of Lean principles rather than just your knowledge of the terminology.

Be ready to go over:

• Value Stream Mapping – How you identify bottlenecks and streamline the flow of materials.
• 5S and Kaizen – Specific examples of how you have implemented these to improve floor organization and safety.
• OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) – How you track and improve machine availability, performance, and quality.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Describe a time you identified a major bottleneck in a production line. What specific data did you use to find it, and what was the outcome of your intervention?"
• "How do you balance the need for immediate production output with the long-term necessity of preventative maintenance?"

Process Knowledge & Technical Rigor

Interviewers at Tenneco frequently use "process deep-dives" to gauge a candidate's technical depth. If you come from a different manufacturing background, you will likely be asked to explain those processes in detail to see how well you understand the mechanics of production.

Be ready to go over:

• End-to-end manufacturing flow – From raw material intake to finished good shipping.
• Quality Control Points – Where and why you implement checks within a specific process.
• Root Cause Analysis – Your methodology for solving recurring technical failures (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone diagrams).

Example questions or scenarios:

• "You mentioned working in a cement factory previously; walk me through the entire process of manufacturing cement, highlighting the most critical variables."
• "Tell me about a time a product failed quality testing. How did you trace the failure back through the manufacturing process?"

People Management & Conflict Resolution

As an Operations Manager, you are the primary link between the plant's strategy and its workforce. You will be evaluated on your ability to manage diverse teams and handle the "firefighting" that comes with high-pressure manufacturing environments.

Be ready to go over:

• Labor Relations – Managing unionized or non-unionized workforces and handling grievances.
• Change Management – How you convince a skeptical workforce to adopt new processes or technologies.
• Performance Management – Handling underperforming supervisors or teams.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "How do you handle a situation where two shift leads are in direct conflict regarding resource allocation?"
• "Describe a time you had to implement a major change that was unpopular with the floor staff. How did you ensure buy-in?"

Key Responsibilities

The day-to-day life of an Operations Manager at Tenneco is fast-paced and requires constant context-switching between the office and the factory floor. Your primary responsibility is the execution of the production schedule. You will start most days by reviewing the previous 24 hours of data—looking at safety incidents, quality yields, and production targets—and adjusting the day's plan accordingly.

You will collaborate closely with the Engineering and Maintenance teams to ensure equipment reliability and with the Quality department to maintain Tenneco’s rigorous standards. A significant portion of your role involves financial oversight; you will work with the Financial Controller to manage labor costs, overtime, and operational expenses to keep the plant within budget.

Beyond daily production, you are a driver of long-term initiatives. You will lead Kaizen events, oversee the installation of new manufacturing cells, and mentor junior supervisors. In the automotive world, "firefighting" is a reality, and you will be the point of escalation for critical issues that threaten to stop the line or delay a shipment to a key OEM customer.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

To be competitive for this role, you must demonstrate a blend of "boots-on-the-ground" experience and strategic management capability.

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in ERP systems (like SAP), deep knowledge of Lean Manufacturing (Six Sigma Green or Black Belt preferred), and familiarity with ISO/IATF quality standards.
• Experience: Typically 8-12 years in a manufacturing environment, with at least 3-5 years in a significant leadership or supervisory capacity. Prior experience in the automotive tier-1 supply chain is a major advantage.
• Soft Skills: Exceptional communication skills are required to translate complex operational data for executive leadership while remaining relatable and authoritative to floor staff.
• Must-have: A proven track record of improving SQDC (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost) metrics in a high-volume environment.
• Nice-to-have: An MBA or an advanced degree in Engineering or Supply Chain Management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How technical is the interview process? A: It is highly technical regarding process management. You don't necessarily need to be an engineer, but you must be able to explain the "physics" and "logic" of your production lines in great detail.

Q: What is the culture like for Operations Managers at Tenneco? A: The culture is results-oriented and pragmatic. Success is measured by your metrics. It is a high-pressure environment, but it offers significant autonomy for managers who can prove they have their operations under control.

Q: How much weight is given to Lean Manufacturing certifications? A: While certifications like Six Sigma Black Belt are respected, the interviewers care much more about your practical application. Be ready to describe a specific Kaizen event you led and the measurable ROI it produced.

Q: What is the typical timeline from the first interview to an offer? A: The process usually takes 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the urgency of the fill and the availability of the senior leadership team for final rounds.

Other General Tips

• Know the Product: Research the specific products made at the plant you are interviewing for (e.g., shocks, struts, or exhaust systems). Understanding the specific challenges of those products will set you apart.
• Prepare Your "Stories": Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method, but place extra emphasis on the "Result." Use hard numbers whenever possible (e.g., "Reduced downtime by 15%").
• Be Candid About Challenges: If you’ve faced a "terrible" situation or an unorganized plant in the past, explain how you navigated it professionally. Tenneco values leaders who can bring order to chaos.

Summary & Next Steps

The Operations Manager position at Tenneco is a demanding but rewarding role that sits at the heart of the automotive supply chain. By managing the delicate balance of people, processes, and technology, you will play a vital role in delivering the components that keep the world moving.

To succeed in this interview, you must move beyond generic management speak. Focus on the "how"—the specific methodologies, data points, and leadership tactics you use to drive excellence. Tenneco is looking for a leader who is comfortable in the boardroom but thrives on the factory floor.

The salary range for this role reflects the high level of responsibility and the technical expertise required. When discussing compensation, keep in mind that Tenneco often looks at total packages, which may include performance-based bonuses tied to plant KPIs. Ensure you understand the full scope of the role's expectations, including potential overtime, to accurately evaluate the offer. For more detailed insights and community-driven data, explore the resources available on Dataford. Good luck—your preparation today is the first step toward leading a world-class operation.