Q: What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core of this role involves executing cradle-to-gate product carbon footprint (PCF) calculations and maintaining complex LCA models. You will be tasked with identifying emission hotspots within the manufacturing process and analyzing material datasets to uncover reduction opportunities. Beyond technical modeling, you will play a central role in sustainability data governance by collecting and structuring information from global supply chains. This ensures all customer submissions and regulatory filings are based on auditable, high-quality environmental data. Finally, you will support cross-functional teams during the RFQ process. This means translating technical sustainability data into actionable insights for engineering and purchasing departments , helping the company balance cost versus carbon trade-offs effectively.

Q: Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain deep expertise in specialized LCA software like GaBi, SimaPro, or openLCA, which are industry standards for environmental modeling. This role offers a unique window into the technical complexities of automotive manufacturing and material science from a carbon perspective. There is also a significant opportunity to learn about global regulatory frameworks such as the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and specific automotive standards. You will develop professional experience in managing data flows within a massive, matrixed international organization. Mentorship from the Global Sustainability Director provides a high-level view of how corporate ESG strategy is executed on the ground. You will learn how to align local manufacturing realities with global carbon neutral ambitions.

Q: How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate holds a degree in Environmental Engineering, Data Analytics, or Mechanical Engineering . While this is an early-career role, a strong grasp of lifecycle thinking and carbon accounting principles is essential to hit the ground running. Advanced proficiency in Excel and data structure is a must, as the role involves managing vast amounts of supplier information. You should be someone who enjoys 'diving into the numbers' to find trends that others might miss. Soft skills are equally important; you need to be a clear communicator in English who can explain technical carbon data to stakeholders who may not have a sustainability background. An interest in the industrial and automotive sector is vital.

Q: What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The primary focus is on Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) and decarbonizing the product lifecycle. This involves looking closely at raw material extraction, manufacturing energy intensity, and the environmental impact of specific automotive components. There is also a strong emphasis on supply chain transparency . You will likely work on projects related to material traceability and ensuring that suppliers meet the company's rigorous sustainability standards. Finally, the role supports regulatory readiness . As global reporting requirements become more strict, your work ensures the company can provide credible, data-backed evidence of its progress toward net-zero and other ESG commitments.

Q: What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the toughest challenges will be data fragmentation across a global supply chain. Gathering consistent, high-quality sustainability data from hundreds of different suppliers can be a slow and complex process that requires persistence. You may also face the challenge of balancing competing priorities . In a manufacturing environment, you must learn to navigate the tension between cost-efficiency, technical performance, and carbon reduction goals. Working in a global matrix structure means navigating different time zones and regional manufacturing standards. Success requires excellent organizational skills to keep global projects on track while reporting to a leadership team based elsewhere.

Q: How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might start with updating LCA models based on new material specifications from the engineering team. You would then move into a meeting with procurement to review sustainability data collected from tier-one suppliers. During the afternoon, you might focus on data visualization , creating dashboards that help regional managers understand the carbon hotspots in their specific plants. You would likely correspond with colleagues in the US or Asia to align on global reporting standards. Your day often concludes with technical documentation . ensuring all data points used in a customer carbon report are accurately recorded and prepared for future internal or external audits.

Q: What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

This role is a springboard into Senior Sustainability Management or specialized environmental engineering tracks. As the automotive industry shifts toward EVs and circularity, your skills in LCA will become increasingly valuable. You could eventually move into a Strategic Procurement role or lead regional sustainability initiatives for a different business unit. The global nature of the position provides high visibility, making lateral moves into operations or compliance possible. Furthermore, becoming an internal subject matter expert in carbon analytics positions you as a key asset for future leadership roles as ESG becomes more integrated into the core business strategy.

Q: The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with the Global Engineering teams to discuss material choices and their impact on a product's carbon footprint. Purchasing and Procurement teams are also key partners in your effort to gather supplier data. Externally, you will support interactions with International OEM customers , providing the technical data they require for their own sustainability reporting. This occasionally involves presenting data to technical leads at major car brands. Internally, you report to the Sustainability Director and collaborate with regional operations managers. You act as the 'data glue' between the factory floor and the global corporate strategy office.

Question 1

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Accepted Answer

The core of this role involves executing cradle-to-gate product carbon footprint (PCF) calculations and maintaining complex LCA models. You will be tasked with identifying emission hotspots within the manufacturing process and analyzing material datasets to uncover reduction opportunities. Beyond technical modeling, you will play a central role in sustainability data governance by collecting and structuring information from global supply chains. This ensures all customer submissions and regulatory filings are based on auditable, high-quality environmental data. Finally, you will support cross-functional teams during the RFQ process. This means translating technical sustainability data into actionable insights for engineering and purchasing departments, helping the company balance cost versus carbon trade-offs effectively.

Question 2

Key learning opportunities for this job

Accepted Answer

You will gain deep expertise in specialized LCA software like GaBi, SimaPro, or openLCA, which are industry standards for environmental modeling. This role offers a unique window into the technical complexities of automotive manufacturing and material science from a carbon perspective. There is also a significant opportunity to learn about global regulatory frameworks such as the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and specific automotive standards. You will develop professional experience in managing data flows within a massive, matrixed international organization. Mentorship from the Global Sustainability Director provides a high-level view of how corporate ESG strategy is executed on the ground. You will learn how to align local manufacturing realities with global carbon neutral ambitions.

Question 3

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

Accepted Answer

The ideal candidate holds a degree in Environmental Engineering, Data Analytics, or Mechanical Engineering. While this is an early-career role, a strong grasp of lifecycle thinking and carbon accounting principles is essential to hit the ground running. Advanced proficiency in Excel and data structure is a must, as the role involves managing vast amounts of supplier information. You should be someone who enjoys 'diving into the numbers' to find trends that others might miss. Soft skills are equally important; you need to be a clear communicator in English who can explain technical carbon data to stakeholders who may not have a sustainability background. An interest in the industrial and automotive sector is vital.

Question 4

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Accepted Answer

To stand out, move beyond just listing your degree and focus on your analytical project experience. If you have used LCA software in a university project or internship, detail the specific methodology and data challenges you overcame. Show that you understand the automotive industry's unique challenges, such as Scope 3 upstream emissions and material traceability. Tailoring your application to show how you handle 'data hygiene' and auditability will demonstrate you are ready for a global corporate environment. Highlight any experience working in cross-functional environments. Tenneco is a global matrix organization, so proving you can collaborate with people from different departments and cultures is a major advantage.

Question 5

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

Accepted Answer

The primary focus is on Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) and decarbonizing the product lifecycle. This involves looking closely at raw material extraction, manufacturing energy intensity, and the environmental impact of specific automotive components. There is also a strong emphasis on supply chain transparency. You will likely work on projects related to material traceability and ensuring that suppliers meet the company's rigorous sustainability standards. Finally, the role supports regulatory readiness. As global reporting requirements become more strict, your work ensures the company can provide credible, data-backed evidence of its progress toward net-zero and other ESG commitments.

Question 6

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

Accepted Answer

One of the toughest challenges will be data fragmentation across a global supply chain. Gathering consistent, high-quality sustainability data from hundreds of different suppliers can be a slow and complex process that requires persistence. You may also face the challenge of balancing competing priorities. In a manufacturing environment, you must learn to navigate the tension between cost-efficiency, technical performance, and carbon reduction goals. Working in a global matrix structure means navigating different time zones and regional manufacturing standards. Success requires excellent organizational skills to keep global projects on track while reporting to a leadership team based elsewhere.

Question 7

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

Accepted Answer

A typical day might start with updating LCA models based on new material specifications from the engineering team. You would then move into a meeting with procurement to review sustainability data collected from tier-one suppliers. During the afternoon, you might focus on data visualization, creating dashboards that help regional managers understand the carbon hotspots in their specific plants. You would likely correspond with colleagues in the US or Asia to align on global reporting standards. Your day often concludes with technical documentation. ensuring all data points used in a customer carbon report are accurately recorded and prepared for future internal or external audits.

Question 8

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

Accepted Answer

This role is a springboard into Senior Sustainability Management or specialized environmental engineering tracks. As the automotive industry shifts toward EVs and circularity, your skills in LCA will become increasingly valuable. You could eventually move into a Strategic Procurement role or lead regional sustainability initiatives for a different business unit. The global nature of the position provides high visibility, making lateral moves into operations or compliance possible. Furthermore, becoming an internal subject matter expert in carbon analytics positions you as a key asset for future leadership roles as ESG becomes more integrated into the core business strategy.

Question 9

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Accepted Answer

You will interact daily with the Global Engineering teams to discuss material choices and their impact on a product's carbon footprint. Purchasing and Procurement teams are also key partners in your effort to gather supplier data. Externally, you will support interactions with International OEM customers, providing the technical data they require for their own sustainability reporting. This occasionally involves presenting data to technical leads at major car brands. Internally, you report to the Sustainability Director and collaborate with regional operations managers. You act as the 'data glue' between the factory floor and the global corporate strategy office.

Sustainability Specialist

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