Manufacturing Engineering Manager

We are proud to announce the establishment of a state-of-the-art Li-ion battery factory, set amidst the beautiful Kansas City Metro. This groundbreaking green-field factory will serve as a pioneering hub for innovation in sustainable energy solutions.

If you are passionate about contributing to a sustainable future and being part of a dynamic team shaping the electric vehicle revolution, this opportunity is tailor-made for you. We are seeking dedicated individuals to join us as full-time, on-site team members at our new, state-of-the-art factory located in the thriving city of DeSoto, Kansas.

The Manufacturing Engineering Manager ensures that engineers in the Manufacturing Department are aligned, take ownership of their work, and maintain focus. The Manager should have a proven track record in people management, production engineering, and technical leadership. In addition, the Manager will lead a team to implement new battery model changes, introduce new materials, and drive process improvements in specific areas.

• Work with the General Manager (GM) and Associate General Manager (AGM) to establish systems and standards promoting sustainability and growth in technical, organizational, and people development areas.
• Responsible for overseeing and participating in material introduction, experimentation, and process improvement for cell manufacturing processes on a commercial scale.
• Lead the engineering team in developing and implementing advanced measurement and control systems to enhance OEE, product quality, and reliability continuously.
• Analyze and optimize production processes to ensure safety, maximize Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), and achieve world-class quality levels cost-effectively.
• Lead continuous improvement projects (CIP) to maximize yield, capacity, and capability.
• Apply technical expertise to innovate, design, and develop processes, procedures, equipment, tooling, and cell formulations.
• Work with cross-functional teams to develop, validate, and improve manufacturing equipment and design manufacturability.
• Enable data-driven operational and financial decisions through predictive insights on tool and process performance. This includes integrating factory data systems and utilizing MySQL, Python, JMP, Tableau, and Ignition software.
• Utilize structured problem-solving techniques such as Design of Experiments (DoE), Five Whys (5W), and Eight Disciplines (8D).
• Monitor and reduce process variation using techniques such as Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA).
• Create and maintain standard work instructions for assigned processes.
• Monitor and audit manufacturing processes to ensure product specifications and standards are achieved.
• Lead the development and maintenance of FMEAs and Control Plans.
• Your responsibilities will be comprehensive, including interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements:

• To ensure the health and safety in the workplace and for the protection of our employees', wearing PPE is a possibility and includes equipment such as a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, and a full hazmat suit that includes a respirator.

The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills and efforts or work conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.

Qualifications: Requirements - Required and/or Preferred

• Essential/Required: Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related discipline.

• Minimum of 8+ years of engineering and leadership experience.
• Strong analytic and decision-making abilities. Able to influence others to move towards a common goal.
• Passionate about developing people and leaders and promoting career development.
• Strong technical aptitude with demonstrated ability to exhibit an in-depth understanding of the company's business, battery-making process, and products.
• Data-driven, but also result-driven. Extensive data analytics experience is a must, as it will guide our decision-making and drive our business forward-proficient skills in MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook).
• Effective communication is key in our global team; a working-level knowledge of English, including reading, writing, and speaking, is a must.

• 10+ years of engineering experience in manufacturing, product development, design, or other related fields.
• Experience with battery manufacturing and high-speed robotic assembly processes is preferred.
• Experience managing dynamic teams of 10 or more people.
• Experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment, such as batteries or electronic devices, with a 1M+ units per day capacity.
• Strong knowledge of Six Sigma methodologies and lean manufacturing.
• Ability to work independently, as part of a team, and with cross-functional groups.
• Resilient, self-motivated, and able to work well under pressure.
• Alignment with Panasonic's seven (7) core principles (contribution to society, fairness and honesty, cooperation and team spirit, untiring effort for improvement, courtesy and humility, adaptability, and gratitude) is not just a requirement but a reflection of your values, which we highly appreciate.

Preferred License(s):

• None

Preferred Certification(s):

• None

Physical Activities: (Percentage of time (equaling 100%) during the normal workday the employee is required to)

• Sit: 40%
• Walk: 30%
• Stand: 20%
• Lift: 10%

Required Lifting and Carrying: (Required frequency is: Not required (0%), Occasional (1-33%), Frequent (34-66%, Continuous %)

• Up to 10 lbs.: Occasional
• Up to 20 lbs.: Occasional
• Up to 35 lbs.: Occasional
• Team-lift only (over 35 lbs.): Not Required

About Us: At the heart of this visionary project, Panasonic is committed to manufacturing cutting-edge cylindrical lithium-ion cells that will power the future of electric mobility. These cells will be meticulously crafted to meet the growing demands of the automotive industry, supporting various electric vehicle manufacturers in their quest for eco-friendly transportation solutions.

This role presents a unique chance to be at the forefront of innovation, working within a forward-thinking organization that is committed to environmental responsibility and the advancement of green technology. Be a part of our mission to power the future and make a difference in the world of electric mobility with Panasonic

Supplemental Information: Pre-employment drug testing is required. Due to the high volume of responses, we will only be able to respond to candidates of interest. All candidates must have valid authorization to work in the U.S. without restriction.

Panasonic is an Equal Opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified individuals are required to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Thank you for your interest in Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America.