Overview:
Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Sr. Manufacturing Performance Strategist? Then we're looking for you! Check out the job description and apply now! Put your skills to meaningful use, gain unique experience, and work with world-class team members with diverse backgrounds and expertise who share the same vision. Join the PECNA team today!
Responsibilities:
Sr. Manufacturing Performance Strategist
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Meet the Recruiter: Anh Martin
Summary:
Join us at Panasonic Energy as we expand to De Soto, Kansas, where we’re building the world’s largest lithium-ion battery factory. This is an exciting opportunity to grow your career while contributing to the future of electric vehicles. As part of our team, you’ll help push the limits of battery technology, enhancing performance and efficiency in sustainable transportation.
Our state-of-the-art facility, just outside the Kansas City Metro, will be a hub for innovation in green energy solutions. If you're passionate about sustainability and eager to contribute to the electric vehicle revolution, we invite you to be part of our dynamic team. Join us and make a meaningful impact on the future of energy and transportation.
Job Summary:
The Senior Manufacturing Performance Strategist serves as a strategic partner to Manufacturing Operations and leadership teams by analyzing manufacturing and business performance data to drive operational excellence, improve decision-making, and support strategic initiatives across lithium-ion battery manufacturing operations while influencing operational strategy, business performance, and manufacturing transformation efforts. This role develops and maintains reporting, dashboards, analytics tools, and performance metrics that provide actionable insights related to safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and customer satisfaction. The Senior Manufacturing Performance Strategist leverages data from manufacturing systems, MES, ERP, quality, maintenance, and operational databases to identify trends, optimize manufacturing performance, support operational planning, and enable data-driven business decisions related to capacity expansion, automation, digital transformation, and continuous improvement.
Essential Duties:
Functional Operations:
- Analyzes production performance across all manufacturing processes, including Electrode Manufacturing, Cell Assembly, Formation, Aging, Packaging, and Material Handling Operations
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Monitors throughput, OEE, yield, downtime, scrap, labor productivity, capacity utilization, inventory performance, customer delivery metrics, and cost-per-unit trends
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Develops, maintains, and continuously improves operational reporting, dashboards, KPI scorecards, visualizations, and executive-level performance reports that support leadership decision-making, business reviews, audits, and customer requirements
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Extracts, validates, analyzes, and governs data from MES, ERP, Quality, Maintenance, and other manufacturing systems to ensure accuracy, consistency, and standardized reporting practices
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Supports annual operating plans, production forecasting, capacity planning, workforce planning, and capital investment analysis activities
Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement:
- Identifies performance gaps, operational trends, manufacturing constraints, and business opportunities, providing strategic analytical recommendations to improve operational performance
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Conducts root cause analysis related to production losses, quality issues, process variability, and operational inefficiencies
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Develops forecasting tools, predictive models, and analytical solutions that support operational planning, decision-making, and evaluation of operational and financial impacts
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Supports Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and operational excellence initiatives through performance measurement and reporting
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Leads large-scale analytics, reporting automation, and performance-improvement initiatives by establishing priorities, defining analytical strategies, coordinating cross-functional execution, and tracking business outcomes
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Champions Industry 4.0, Smart Factory, digital manufacturing, automation, and operational transformation initiatives through the development and implementation of innovative analytical solutions and advanced performance measurement strategies
Training & Team Support:
- Serves as the primary subject matter expert for manufacturing analytics, reporting, and performance measurement, providing strategic guidance to manufacturing leadership and cross-functional teams on KPI strategy, reporting methodologies, and analytical best practices
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Exercises independent judgment in determining analytical approaches, prioritizing business needs, and developing innovative solutions to support manufacturing performance and business objectives
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Provides guidance, training, and consultation to stakeholders on KPI management, reporting requirements, data interpretation, and analytics tools to support data-driven decision-making
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Provides technical mentorship and promotes data literacy, analytical best practices, and a culture of data-driven decision-making throughout the organization
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication:
- Collaborates with cross-functional stakeholders across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Maintenance, Finance, HR, IT, and Digital Manufacturing to address operational challenges and achieve business objectives
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Presents findings, recommendations, and performance insights to manufacturing leadership and senior management
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Supports customer audits, operational reviews, business reviews, and customer-facing reporting requirements
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Develops business cases and provides data-driven recommendations that influence operational, strategic, and capital investment decisions
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Supports manufacturing expansion, startup, and scale-up activities through data analysis and performance reporting
Quality, Safety, & Compliance:
- Ensures the accuracy, integrity, consistency, and timeliness of manufacturing and operational data
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Maintains compliance with company policies, reporting standards, data governance requirements, and applicable regulatory requirements
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Supports safety, quality, environmental, and operational compliance initiatives through reporting and performance analysis
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Promotes a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence
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Follows all Panasonic safety policies, procedures, and workplace expectations
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements:
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To ensure the health and safety in the workplace and for the protection of our employees, wearing PPE is a possibility and may include equipment such as a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, bump cap, 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
Education, Certifications, and Licenses:
Required:
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Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Data Analytics, Statistics, Operations Research, Business Analytics, Computer Science, Information Systems, Supply Chain Management, or a related technical discipline
Preferred:
- Master's degree in Engineering, Data Science, Statistics, Operations Research, Business Analytics, or a related technical field
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Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification
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Professional certifications related to data analytics, business intelligence, Power BI, SQL, Tableau, or similar analytical tools
Essential Qualifications:
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7+ years of experience in manufacturing analytics, industrial engineering, operations analysis, business intelligence, data analytics, or a related analytical discipline, including experience supporting high-volume manufacturing operations
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Demonstrated experience analyzing manufacturing performance metrics (e.g., throughput, OEE, yield, scrap, downtime, productivity, capacity utilization, and quality) and translating findings into actionable business recommendations
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Experience developing and improving operational reporting, dashboards, KPI scorecards, business intelligence solutions, and performance analytics
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Experience extracting, validating, and analyzing data from manufacturing and business systems, including MES, ERP, quality systems, maintenance systems, and operational databases
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Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root cause analysis skills
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Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or similar data visualization and business intelligence tools
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Working knowledge of SQL and database querying tools
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Ability to communicate complex analytical findings effectively to technical and non-technical stakeholders, including senior leadership
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Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver accurate results in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
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Must have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking English
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Alignment to Panasonic's seven (7) core principles (contribution to society, fairness and honesty, cooperation and team spirit, untiring effort for improvement, courtesy and humility, adaptability, gratitude)
Preferred Qualifications:
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10+ years of experience in manufacturing analytics, business intelligence, industrial engineering, or related analytical disciplines, including experience leading complex analytical initiatives, influencing operational strategy, and serving as a subject matter expert within manufacturing environments
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Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders, provide technical leadership, and drive adoption of data-driven decision-making across cross-functional teams
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Experience supporting executive-level operational reviews, strategic planning activities, and customer-facing reporting requirements
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Experience in high-volume battery manufacturing or a related industrial environment such as electronics, automotive, or energy storage
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Experience supporting Industry 4.0, Smart Factory, digital manufacturing, automation, or manufacturing transformation initiatives
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Experience with forecasting, predictive analytics, statistical modeling, or machine learning applications in manufacturing environments
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Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma methodologies, continuous improvement principles, and operational excellence practices
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Knowledge of manufacturing cost accounting, operational finance, capital project analysis, and business case development
Physical Demands:
Physical Activities: Percentage of time (equaling 100%) during the normal workday the employee is required to:
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Sit: 50%
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Walk: 30%
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Stand: 20%
Required Lifting and Carrying: Rare (<1%), Occasional (1-33%), Frequent (34-66%), Continuous (67-100%)
For this position, the required frequency is:
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Up to 10 lbs.: Occasional
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Up to 20 lbs.: Occasional
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Up to 35 lbs.: Occasional
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Team-lift only (over 35 lbs.): Rare
Benefits & Perks - What's In It For You:
Panasonic Energy prioritizes total well-being and offers comprehensive benefits options to support physical, emotional, financial, social, and environmental health:
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Health Benefits – Offering medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, plus Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
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Voluntary Benefits – Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance.
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Panasonic Retirement Savings & Investment Plan (PRSIP) – 401(k) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting.
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Paid Time-Off Benefits – Vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer, and parental & caregiver leave.
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Educational Assistance – Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service.
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Health Management and Wellbeing Programs –Lifestyle Spending Account, EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition, neurodiversity, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, and life stage and fertility resources. Available to eligible employees starting the first day of the month following your start date. Eligibility for each benefit may vary based on employment status, location, and length of service.
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Employee Recognition Program - High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition
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Annual Bonus Program - Opportunity for an annual performance-based bonus.
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On-site Food Options: Several on-site cafes, plentiful snack and beverage kitchens, revolving on-site vendor visits and employee events.
Where You'll Be:
For our onsite roles, Panasonic Energy is committed to fostering an ideal working environment that goes beyond the conventional. We understand the significance of moments that matter in your onsite experience, and we prioritize creating a workspace that not only promotes productivity but also ensures a fulfilling and positive work atmosphere. Join us at Panasonic Energy, where your onsite presence is valued, and we strive to make each moment count in your professional journey.
Who We Are:
Meet Panasonic Energy! At Panasonic Energy, you'll do work that matters as we are dedicated to transforming the world through the acceleration of sustainable energy. By producing safe, high-quality lithium-ion batteries, you become part of a team that plays a crucial role in creating technologies that move us.
Our journey began in 2017, and now, as the world's largest lithium-ion battery factory, we are expanding operations to De Soto, Kansas, providing you with the opportunity to experience career growth in more ways than one.
As an innovative thinker, you'll thrive here, as we continually push the boundaries of lithium-ion battery technology and production capabilities to enhance efficiency and performance in EVs.
Being part of Panasonic Energy means positively contributing to society, aligning with our commitment to building a better world through sustainable energy solutions.
We care about what you care about, fostering an environment where your contributions make a meaningful impact on the future of energy and transportation. Join us and be part of a team that values your work, encourages innovation, and actively contributes to a positive societal impact.
In addition to an environment that is as innovative as our products, we offer competitive salaries and benefits.
We Take Opportunity Seriously:
At Panasonic Energy, we are committed to a workplace that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. Fairness and Honesty have been part of our core values for more than 100 years and we are proud of our diverse culture as an equal opportunity employer.
We understand that your career search may look different than others and embrace the professional, personal, educational, and volunteer opportunities through which people gain experience. If you are actively looking or starting to explore new opportunities, submit your application!
Supplemental Information:
Pre-employment drug testing is required.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. All qualified individuals are required to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
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.
Thank you for your interest in Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America.
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