Maintenance Manager

Panasonic•De Soto, KS

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Panasonic Energy is expanding its operations in De Soto, Kansas, where it is building a lithium-ion battery factory. The Maintenance Manager leads a large team responsible for the performance of manufacturing assets and facilities. The role builds a proactive maintenance culture centered on preventive and predictive strategies to meet production demands, and collaborates with cross-functional teams to improve operations, manage performance indicators and costs, and develop employees through training and performance reviews. The position supports lithium-ion cell production and requires working some irregular hours as dictated by business needs. It is an onsite role. Personal protective equipment may be required, including a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, or a full hazmat suit with respirator. A respirator fit test is required depending on the functional area. Pre-employment drug testing is required.

Requirements

At least 5 years of maintenance management experience in a high-volume manufacturing setting.
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, industrial automation, or robotics, or equivalent experience.
Experience with Lean Six Sigma and continuous process improvement.
Computer skills equivalent to warehouse management systems; ERP/SAP experience; and MS Office skills, including Excel and PowerPoint.
Experience with 6S methodology.
Excellent communication skills.
Willingness to work some irregular hours as dictated by business needs.
Scalable direct supervisory experience, with the ability to manage more than 100 employees.
Working-level English proficiency, including reading, writing, and speaking.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
Valid authorization to work in the U.S. without restriction.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in engineering, industrial automation, or robotics.
Proven leadership skills and ability to optimize team performance and development.
Excellent relationship management skills.
Analytical and problem-solving abilities, including implementation of process improvements.
Results-oriented approach and ability to plan and deliver against production deadlines and goals.
Resilience, self-motivation, and ability to work well under pressure.
Inventory control management experience.
Prior experience with multiple CMMS programs.
Background in weekly and monthly scheduling and headcount planning.
Alignment with Panasonic’s seven core principles: contribution to society, fairness and honesty, cooperation and team spirit, untiring effort for improvement, courtesy and humility, adaptability, and gratitude.

Responsibilities

Manage, establish, and communicate directions and priorities for the maintenance team.
Drive maintenance and reliability initiatives that emphasize preventive and predictive maintenance rather than reactive maintenance.
Develop and maintain department KPIs and goals, monitoring efficiency, labor costs, and other expenses.
Partner with cross-functional teams to establish and maintain production-line maintenance procedures to meet or exceed demand targets.
Maintain manufacturing assets and facilities, parts inventory, purchase-order monitoring, and invoice approvals.
Provide training and continuous development to direct and indirect team members.
Conduct periodic team performance reviews and actively support employee development.
Promote a culture of continuous improvement across maintenance areas, including floor support, schedulers, MRO planners, and leadership.
Improve safety through Behavioral Based Safety, hazard identification, and risk assessment.
Establish work using a sound Asset Care and Reliability (AC+R) process.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, and prescription plans, plus Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
Voluntary life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance.
401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting.
Paid vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer time, and parental and caregiver leave.
Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service.
Health and wellbeing programs, including a Lifestyle Spending Account, EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition support, neurodiversity resources, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, and life stage and fertility resources.
Employee recognition and awards platform, with quarterly and annual recognition.
Opportunity for an annual performance-based bonus.
On-site cafes, snack and beverage kitchens, vendor visits, and employee events.
Competitive salaries.