Production Training & Capability Development Manager

Panasonic•De Soto, KS

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America (PECNA) is seeking a Manager, Production Training & Capability Development to improve workforce capability, productivity, and operational performance through training, certification, qualification, and employee development systems. The role partners with Production, Quality, Safety, Maintenance, Engineering, Continuous Improvement, and Human Resources to identify capability needs and implement learning solutions that support safe, high-quality, and efficient manufacturing operations. The position establishes training governance, skill development frameworks, certification systems, trainer capability programs, and workforce development strategies. It leads the development and continuous improvement of training programs, manages trainer development and qualification systems, supports workforce planning, and uses performance data and workforce capability metrics to guide business decisions and improvement efforts. The role also maintains compliance with training requirements and supports audits and applicable standards, including ISO and IATF. This is an onsite role at Panasonic Energy’s facility in De Soto, Kansas. Work may require personal protective equipment, potentially including a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, bump cap, or a full hazmat suit with respirator. Pre-employment drug testing is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Organizational Development, Business, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Human Resources, or a related field; equivalent work experience may substitute for education requirements.
At least 7 years of experience in Learning & Development, Workforce Development, Manufacturing Operations, or related fields.
At least 2 years of people leadership experience.
Experience leading training functions within a manufacturing environment.
Experience developing and implementing training programs and workforce capability systems.
Experience managing skill matrices, certification systems, qualification programs, and training governance processes.
Strong facilitation, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Strong Microsoft Office skills, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook.
Working-level English proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking.
Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Valid authorization to work in the U.S. without restriction.

Nice To Haves

Battery manufacturing experience.
Experience supporting manufacturing startup or rapid expansion environments.
Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement experience.
Learning Management System (LMS) administration experience.
Experience with training technologies, VR, simulation, or immersive learning solutions.
Knowledge of ISO, IATF, or other manufacturing quality systems.
Bilingual capability.
Certified Training and Development Professional (CTDP).
Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD – ATD).
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.
Train-the-Trainer certification, such as TWI Job Instruction.

Responsibilities

Establish and maintain policies, procedures, and systems that support workforce learning and capability development.
Develop and execute short- and long-term training strategies aligned with business objectives.
Conduct training needs assessments and capability gap analyses; develop annual training roadmaps and workforce capability plans.
Establish governance processes for training, qualifications, certifications, and workforce development.
Design, develop, implement, and continuously improve manufacturing training programs and learning solutions.
Develop and maintain training materials, qualification tools, assessments, and job aids, and evaluate learning effectiveness using operational data and participant feedback.
Establish and maintain skill matrices and competency frameworks, define job-level expectations and qualification requirements, and manage certification and recertification processes.
Lead task validation and competency verification activities and maintain accurate training, qualification, and certification records.
Lead, develop, coach, and evaluate Production Trainers; establish trainer qualification and certification standards.
Prepare and coach subject matter experts, support Train-the-Trainer programs, and ensure consistent training delivery across departments, shifts, and sites.
Collaborate with Production leaders, supervisors, managers, and cross-functional partners; support workforce planning through capability and succession development.
Partner with Operations to identify and prioritize training needs, work with functional training leaders, and report training performance and workforce capability metrics in leadership meetings.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives related to learning and workforce development and apply adult-learning, knowledge-transfer, and capability-development practices.
Evaluate learning technologies and training solutions, including simulation and immersive learning technologies, and support organizational change through structured change management.
Develop, track, analyze, and report training and workforce capability metrics and KPIs; use training data to support business decisions and continuous improvement.
Monitor compliance, qualification, certification, and workforce readiness metrics; support applicable training requirements, ISO and IATF standards, audits, and compliance reviews.

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) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting.
Vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer leave, and parental and caregiver leave.
Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service.
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 program, including 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 and benefits.