Human Resources Generalist

Date: Feb 3, 2026

Location: South Bend, IN, US

Company: 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.

 

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

 

GENERAL SUMMARY

This position is a back up to the HR Manager, encompassing a wide range of duties for the plant to support personnel at all levels. This position is responsible for hourly hiring and payroll processes, cares & concerns and recognition processes, and maintaining personnel records and databases. This position is responsible for contributing to a safe workplace and minimizing negative environmental impacts by complying with the EHS policies, procedures, work instructions outlined in the EHSMS Training Assessment for this position.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Champions the hourly hiring processes including regular status updates to managers, pre-screening applicants, interviewing, pre-employment background and drug screenings, and maintaining a talent pool as needed.
  • Provides orientation for new employees by training to processes, procedures, and polies as well as  gathering withholding and other payroll information, explaining benefit programs, and building the plant culture.
  • Administers hourly payroll changes and updates including shift preference logs, transfers, tuition & safety shoe reimburesements, and various leave updates.
  • Coordinates and implement team events, committee meetings, various lunches, and training meetings.
  • Maintain Human Resources records for employees by recording the hiring, transfer, training, termination, change in job classifications, and merit increase updates as well as tracking holidays, leaves, and personal time.
  • Assists production supervisors and employees with questions, concerns, and suggestions for improvement.
  • Conducts exit interviews and maintains the unemployment claims database as needed.
  • Creates employment identification badges for employees and contractors as needed.

 

GENERAL DUTIES:

  • Work safe, smart, and effectively.
  • Do your best.
  • Support teamwork.
  • Respect fellow Team Members.
  • Continue learning.
  • Be on time.
  • Abide by our values.
  • Demonstrate high standards of performance, integrity, and ethics.
  • Have a positive attitude.
  • Focus on quality.
  • Keep your work area clean and organized.
  • Take ownership, responsibility, and accountability for your actions.
  • Initiate continuous improvement.
  • Treat the business as if you own it.
  • Ensures compliance with all EHSMS policies and procedures.
  • Instructs on safe work practices and promotes safety consciousness while practicing safety procedures, enforcing policy regarding safety and making recommendations when needed. 
  • Sees that company policies and programs are effectively made known; cooperates and assists in the development of effective communications.
  • Promotes a positive employer-employee relation. 
  • Maintains departmental efficiency regarding timeliness and quality of reports and procedural requirements.
  • Maintains inter-departmental relationships of such a caliber as to promote confidence, integrity and cooperation.
  • The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must have the ability to maneuver around plant machinery, work near moving mechanical parts and work in an environment with varying temperatures.  The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
  • Each employee has the authority to initiate action to prevent the occurrence of non-conformities relating to the product, process and quality system and has the authority to stop further work on non-conforming suspect product until the deficiency or conditions have been corrected.
  • All employees will abide by their location’s EH&S policy endorsed by the local management, comply with the legal and other requirements and operational controls established under its EHSMS, work toward achieving established objectives and targets, and conform to procedures consistent with the ISO 14001 standard.  All employees will also understand all of the environmental aspects of his/her job. An employee should report, and if necessary, stop any activity that does not conform to the policy or may injure himself/herself.
  • Capable of providing support as requested by supervisor.
  • Other duties as assigned.

 

 

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION:

  • Business degree and/or two years of Human Resources experience preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

  • Knowledge of federal and state requirements in the area of labor law.
  • Basic understanding and working knowledge of employee relations, recruitment, benefit administration and safety/OSHA compliance.
  • Must have previous experience or training on a personal computer and printer and utilize word processing and computer spreadsheets.
  • Exceptional time management and organizational skills
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Good interpersonal skills needed to interface with internal and external contacts.
  • Must be able to maintain confidentiality of sensitive issues and documents.

 

 

 

 

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

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.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

  • Must be able to lift, push, and/or pull up to 40 pounds occasionally.
  • On a continuous basis must be able to sit for extended periods of time.
  • Able to be on call 24/7 for customer and manufacturing sites.
  • Able and willing to work around fuel mixtures, moving parts, and electrical power.
  • Must be able to make occasional trips to maufacturing sites and customers by air and by automobile.

 

APTITUDES

The following aptitudes are needed in at least a medium degree, ranging from slightly below to slightly above average as compared to the normal population:

 

  • Intelligence/general learning ability specifically oriented toward problem solving and multitasking.
  • Form perception/ability to perceive pertinent detail in structural duties.
  • Thorough knowledge of labor laws.
  • Computer literacy (MS Office, MS EXCEL, ECT).

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


Nearest Major Market: South Bend