Director of Application Operations

Job Title: Director of Application Operations

Location: Pune, India

Tenneco is one of the world's leading designers, manufacturers and marketers of automotive products for original equipment and aftermarket customers, with approximately 66,000 team members working at more than 200 sites worldwide. Through our four business groups, DRiV, Performance Solutions, Clean Air and Powertrain, Tenneco is driving advancements in global mobility by delivering technology solutions for diversified global markets, including light vehicle, commercial truck, off-highway, industrial, motorsport and the aftermarket.

The Director of Global Applications Operations is a pivotal leadership role within the IT department, responsible for the strategic and operational management of a complex and globally distributed application landscape. This individual will oversee the performance and delivery of application managed services provided by an external vendor, ensuring high-quality service and adherence to SLAs. The role requires managing a diverse set of applications, including ERP systems (SAP, QAD, Plex), engineering systems (Teamcenter SAP-PLM, PTC-Windchill, CATIA, NX), and CAE applications, across over 200 manufacturing locations worldwide.

The Director will lead a global team, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence, and will be accountable for the seamless integration and interoperability of applications. This role involves handling escalations, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and implementing cost reduction strategies to enhance overall team performance year over year. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in managing global application operations, a deep understanding of the automotive or manufacturing industry, and a proven track record of successfully managing external vendors and complex application landscapes.

Key responsibilities include ensuring the integrity and security of applications, optimizing processes, and maintaining robust governance frameworks. The Director will also be responsible for monitoring and reporting on performance metrics, providing regular updates to senior management, and ensuring that all operations align with the organization’s strategic goals.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Leadership & Team Management:
• Lead and oversee the global applications operations team, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture within the team.
• Set performance goals, conduct regular evaluations, and provide ongoing feedback and support to team members.
• Vendor Management:
• Manage the relationship with the external vendor responsible for application managed services.
• Hold the vendor accountable for meeting SLAs and delivering high-quality work.
• Monitor vendor performance, conduct regular reviews, and address any issues or escalations promptly.
• Help negotiate contracts and ensure cost-effective service delivery.
• Operational Management:
• Oversee the operational management of a complex application landscape, including ERP systems (SAP, QAD, Plex) and engineering systems (Teamcenter SAP-PLM, PTC-Windchill, CATIA, NX, CAE applications).
• Ensure seamless integration and interoperability of applications across over 200 manufacturing locations.
• Implement and maintain governance processes to ensure the integrity and security of applications.
• Continuous Improvement:
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance overall team performance and service delivery.
• Identify opportunities for process optimization and cost reduction.
• Implement best practices and innovative solutions to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Escalation Management:
• Handle escalations related to application operations, ensuring timely resolution and minimal impact on business operations.
• Develop and implement escalation procedures to manage critical issues effectively.
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting:
• Monitor and report on the performance of global applications operations, including vendor performance and service delivery metrics.
• Provide regular updates to senior management on the status of application operations and improvement initiatives.
  

Minimum Requirements

Education: (EDUCATION REQUIREMENT)

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
  
  

Experience: (# OF YEARS EXPERIENCE)

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in application operations management.
• Proven experience in leading, governing and managing global teams (including managed service staff).
• Strong expertise in ERP systems (SAP, QAD, Plex) and engineering systems (Teamcenter SAP-PLM, PTC-Windchill, CATIA, NX, CAE applications).
  
  

Skills

• Excellent leadership and team management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in project management and solution architecture.
• Knowledge of ITGC controls and audit preparation.
• Proficiency in vendor management and contract negotiation.
• Knowledge of industry standards and best practices for application operations.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities.
  
  

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.