Factory Operations Indirect Procurement Associate Category Manager

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

Tenneco is one of the world’s leading designers, manufacturers and marketers of automotive

products for original equipment and aftermarket customers. Through our DRiV, Performance

Solutions, Clean Air and Powertrain business groups, Tenneco is driving advancements in

global mobility by delivering technology solutions for light vehicle, commercial truck, offhighway, industrial, motorsport and the aftermarket.

The Factory Operations Indirect Procurement Associate Category Manager for the Americas will be responsible for leading value generation, sourcing, and profitability improvement initiatives of corporate goods and services. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong negotiation skills, an analytical mindset, and the ability to build effective relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.  Success will be measured on spend addressed, savings achieved, and working capital impact. The central challenge of the position is to capture value from indirect spend categories while meeting key business objectives such as service, quality, timing, and security of supply.  The position may be based in Northville, MI and reports directly to the Executive Director, Factory Operations Indirect Procurement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Strategic Sourcing:
• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for Factory Operations Indirect Facility Services categories.
• Demonstrate expertise in vendor management, contract negotiation, spend analytics, stakeholder management and deployment of end-to-end strategic sourcing strategies.
• Identify and capture profit improvement opportunities beyond leveraged sourcing, e.g., demand management opportunities, insource versus outsource decisions, efficiencies in the company’s comprehensive supply chain, and/or other strategic and operational process improvements.
• Conduct market research to identify potential suppliers, assess market trends, and evaluate new products and technologies.
• Manage the planning and launch of RFx events, leveraging eSourcing tools as appropriate. 

2. Purchasing & Contracting
• Develop global/regional contracts that are commercially sound, provide optimum protection of company assets and requirements.
• Effectively manage renewal schedules and workload planning to achieve optimum results.

3. Supplier Management:
• Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers based on quality, cost, delivery, and service capabilities.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure optimal performance and continuous improvement.
• Negotiate contracts, terms, and pricing with suppliers to achieve favorable conditions and cost savings.
• Lead global business reviews with strategic suppliers to ensure performance against contracted obligations and business unit expectations.
• Anticipate and minimize performance issues via use of key performance indicators (KPIs).
• When performance issues emerge, identify root causes and drive for efficient resolution of issues at hand by working across both internal and external stakeholders.

4. Internal Alignment:
• Oversee the procurement process for Facility Services categories, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery.
• Collaborate with internal teams to forecast needs, understand business requirements, and align on strategy.
• Support internal teams on project implementation and successful execution of corporate strategies.

5. Cost Management:
• Monitor and analyze commodity costs, identify cost-saving opportunities, and implement cost-reduction strategies.
• Prepare and present reports on commodity performance, cost savings, and procurement metrics.

6. Compliance & Risk Management:
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements related to corporate services procurement.
• Assess and mitigate risks associated with supplier performance and market volatility.

7. Continuous Improvement:
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in procurement processes and supplier performance.
• Implement best practices and innovative solutions to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Minimum Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Purchasing, Business Administration, or a related field; MBA or relevant certification (e.g., CPM, CPSM) is a plus.

Experience: Proven experience (3+ years) as a Commodity Manager, Procurement Manager, or in a similar role with a focus on corporate services.

Skills

• Experience managing indirect spend categories using multi-step strategic sourcing processes.
• Strong knowledge of corporate suppliers, markets, and industry trends.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including being comfortable working with all levels of management.
• Strong negotiation skills including understanding of terms, conditions, and contracting techniques for managing risk.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, develop strategies, and manage supplier relationships.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills (strong background in data collection & analysis is a must have) to drive fact-based decision making.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Track record of managing change through influence; capable of driving major commercial decisions across a diverse set of internal stakeholders.
• Proficiency in procurement software and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

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

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