Inventory Clerk Lead - Level 4

Panasonic • De Soto, KS

9d • Onsite

About The Position

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 Inventory Clerk Lead – Level 4 serves as the lead for daily inventory operations, coordinating execution to ensure accurate material control, system integrity, and uninterrupted support to production in a high-volume manufacturing environment. This role provides task-level direction, technical guidance, and on-shift coordination for Inventory Clerks Levels I–III, without formal people management authority. The Lead is accountable for inventory accuracy, physical counts, discrepancy resolution, and adherence to safety, quality, and Panasonic Production System (PPS) standards, while escalating personnel-related matters to supervisory leadership as appropriate. This role promotes a safety-focused, high-performance work environment and drives continuous improvement aligned with Panasonic’s seven core principles.

Requirements

• High school diploma, GED, or 2 years of prior experience in functional area
• Defensive Driving Certification
• Equipment Operation Certification (MORTREC, Walkie-Rider, Sit-Down Forklift)
• 3+ years of experience in inventory management, logistics, warehouse, or manufacturing operations
• Demonstrated leadership experience in inventory or materials operations
• Advanced working knowledge of ERP and manufacturing systems, including SAP and MES
• Proven experience with durable labeling systems (Brady or equivalent)
• Strong understanding of Panasonic Production System (PPS), TSW, HPL, and 6S methodologies
• Ability to lead teams, assign work, and hold others accountable for performance and accuracy
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) for reporting, analysis, and communication
• Strong decision-making, prioritization, and problem-solving skills
• Working knowledge of dangerous goods handling, shipping, and documentation requirements
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, compliance, and continuous improvement
• Must have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking English
• 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)

Nice To Haves

• Associate’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, or related field
• OSHA Safety Training or equivalent
• APICS / ASCM Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM)
• 6+ years of experience in high-volume manufacturing, warehouse, or inventory environments
• Experience supporting lithium-ion battery manufacturing or other regulated industries
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and resolve complex operational issues
• Demonstrated success developing and mentoring inventory team members
• Bilingual (Japanese) preferred

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day operational coordination and task-level direction for inventory activities
• Oversee and audit inventory transactions related to receipts, transfers, production usage, adjustments, lot codes, and part traceability within SAP and MES systems
• Ensure proper execution of SAP Receiving (GR), MES material transfers, refurbished part tracking, and shipping transactions to maintain end-to-end traceability
• Establish and maintain inventory control practices that achieve and sustain a 99% cycle count accuracy standard
• Review, analyze, and validate inventory, cycle count, and performance reports prior to escalation or submission; identify trends, risks, and systemic gaps requiring corrective action
• Ensure all materials, storage locations, and refurbished parts are accurately labeled using approved durable label makers (Brady or equivalent) and Panasonic printers
• Direct refurbished parts shipping activities and ensure all documentation, handling, and traceability requirements are met
• Ensure materials are stored, issued, and replenished in accordance with FIFO principles and audit-ready traceability standards
• Oversee indirect receiving operations, internal deliveries, and production/MRO replenishment to support uninterrupted manufacturing operations
• Lead layout, racking, bin, and cabinet improvements to optimize material flow, ergonomics, and storage efficiency
• Ensure coverage for all scheduled shift hours and coordinate overtime and weekend support as required to meet operational needs
• Lead cycle count programs, discrepancy investigations, and root cause analysis efforts, driving corrective and preventive actions
• Own execution and results of monthly and year-end physical inventory counts, ensuring accurate reconciliation and documentation
• Establish accountability for inventory accuracy, scrap control, refurbishment, and recovery processes
• Lead implementation and sustainment of Total Supply Warehouse (TSW) and High-Performance Logistics (HPL) initiatives in alignment with Panasonic global standards
• Identify, prioritize, and drive continuous improvement initiatives related to inventory accuracy, material flow, system performance, and standard work
• Monitor performance metrics and implement countermeasures to address recurring issues or gaps
• Provide task-level guidance, coaching, and real-time work feedback to Inventory Clerks Levels 1-3, escalating formal performance concerns to supervisory leadership
• Ensure consistent training, qualification, and adherence to standard work across the inventory team
• Maintain and govern the New Clerk Training Tracker, ensuring onboarding, certification, and progression milestones are met
• Coordinate daily work assignments, balance workload, and adjust priorities within established schedules and staffing plans
• Serve as the primary escalation point during the shift, making informed, business-minded decisions within established policies and escalation guidelines
• Model and reinforce expectations for accuracy, safety, accountability, teamwork, and professionalism
• Act as the primary inventory point of contact for production, logistics, engineering, quality, and maintenance teams
• Communicate inventory risks, constraints, and performance trends clearly to leadership and stakeholders
• Lead cross-functional problem-solving efforts related to material flow disruptions, system issues, or inventory discrepancies
• Support system integration, process alignment, and operational readiness initiatives
• Ensure strict adherence to Panasonic 6S Minimum Standards, maintaining audit readiness and workplace organization
• Coordinate and verify dangerous goods handling and shipment processes in accordance with regulatory, customer, and company requirements
• Ensure safe operation of material handling equipment and maintenance of all required certifications
• Enforce compliance with Defensive Driving, internal transport, and site driving requirements
• Ensure adherence to all safety, ergonomics, PPE, respiratory, hazard communication, spill containment, and emergency response procedures
• Lead response to quality, safety, or compliance issues and ensure corrective and preventive actions are implemented

Benefits

• Health Benefits – Offering medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, plus Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
• Voluntary Benefits – Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance.
• Panasonic Retirement Savings & Investment Plan (PRSIP) – 401(k) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting.
• Paid Time-Off Benefits – Vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer, and parental & caregiver leave.
• Educational Assistance – Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service.
• 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.
• Employee Recognition Program - High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition
• Annual Bonus Program - Opportunity for an annual performance-based bonus.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED