General Manager of Maintenance
Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America in De Soto, Kansas, is building the world’s largest lithium‑ion battery factory. The General Manager of Maintenance leads the long‑range strategic planning for manufacturing operations, directs 24/7 maintenance activities, and partners with Production, Quality, and Engineering to ensure safety, reliability, and operational excellence.
This role demands a proven maintenance leadership track record in high‑volume manufacturing, expertise in Lean and
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required; relevant work experience may substitute for education
- Master's degree preferred in engineering/operations management or related field
- Must have strong English proficiency and exceptional communication skills.
Responsibilities
- Lead maintenance operations to achieve KPIs in a 24/7 manufacturing environment
- Develop and maintain maintenance strategies, plans, budgets, policies, and procedures
- Build Autonomous Maintenance and Preventive Maintenance capabilities, including 6S initiatives
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean principles and best practices
- Collaborate with Production, Engineering, Facilities, EHS, and QC to resolve operational challenges and support plant priorities
- Promote safety, quality systems compliance, and reliability across the facility
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a General Manager of Maintenance? Then we're looking for you!
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.
The General Manager of Maintenance drives the long‑range strategic planning process for manufacturing operations by leading maintenance functions across the production facility. This role establishes operational goals, advances maintenance technologies, and resolves complex manufacturing challenges in partnership with Production, Quality, Engineering, and other functional leaders. The General Manager develops operations‑related plans, budgets, policies, and procedures while ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, equipment reliability, and operational excellence.
- Lead maintenance operations to achieve manufacturing KPIs and operational objectives
- Direct maintenance activities for a 24/7 manufacturing environment, ensuring equipment reliability, uptime, and operational effectivenessDevelop and maintain maintenance strategies, plans, budgets, policies, and procedures that support business objectives
- Build and maintain Autonomous Maintenance and Preventive Maintenance capabilities throughout the organization, including 6S initiatives
- Establish and role model organizational standards that promote operational excellence and accountability
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational performance, productivity, and business results
- Lead improvements in production efficiency through the implementation of Lean principles and best practices
- Lead change management initiatives that align with business objectives and plant priorities
- Evaluate and improve maintenance technologies, systems, and processes to optimize performance and reliability
- Support strategic planning efforts by identifying opportunities for operational improvements and long‑term capability development
- Empower, develop, recognize, and reward individuals and teams to achieve performance and growth objectives
- Manage employee performance through goal setting, performance management, competency development, engagement, recognition, and well‑being initiatives
- Ensure employees receive the training, coaching, and developmental experiences necessary to improve performance and advance organizational capabilities
- Build and develop a high‑performing maintenance leadership team through servant leadership, clear vision, and strategic development of talent
- Collaborate proactively with Production, Engineering, Facilities, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), Quality Control (QC), and other functional teams to incorporate best practices into manufacturing and maintenance operations
- Partner with manufacturing, quality, and engineering leaders to resolve operational challenges and achieve business objectives
- Foster a culture of teamwork and collaboration across cross‑functional groups to support plant performance and continuous improvement initiatives
- Communicate operational priorities, technical information, and business objectives effectively with stakeholders at all organizational levels
- Promote and implement safety principles, environmental responsibility, and employee health and wellness initiatives
- Maintain compliance with all quality systems and standards to achieve quality objectives
- Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory, safety, and environmental requirements within the production facility
- Drive safety improvements through behavior‑based safety practices, hazard identification, risk assessments, and employee engagement
- Identify operational risks and implement corrective and preventive actions to maintain safe and reliable operations
- Directly and indirectly manage Maintenance leaders and technicians, establish operational expectations, drive accountability, develop organizational capabilities, and foster a culture of safety, reliability, and continuous improvement
- Occasional travel may be required to support business needs, training, benchmarking activities, or corporate initiatives
- 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.
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical discipline
- Relevant work experience may be substituted for required education
- Master's degree in Engineering, Engineering Management, Business Administration (MBA), Operations Management, or a related field
- Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP), Certified Reliability Leader (CRL), Lean Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt, Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or equivalent certifications
- 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in maintenance, engineering, manufacturing operations, or reliability functions within a high‑speed, high‑volume manufacturing environment
- Experience leading maintenance functions within a large‑scale 24/7 manufacturing operation
- Experience working in a high‑performance culture within cross‑functional team environments
- Experience with Lean Six Sigma, continuous improvement methodologies, and Lean manufacturing principles
- Demonstrated success driving safety improvements through behavior‑based safety programs, hazard identification, and risk assessment processes
- Experience working within a world‑class maintenance and reliability organization utilizing preventive and predictive maintenance best practices
- Experience utilizing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, preferably SAP
- Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to explain and present technical information effectively
- Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills
- 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)
- Prior experience in a Director or senior management role leading maintenance teams in large‑scale manufacturing environments
- Experience leading maintenance and reliability programs in highly automated manufacturing environments utilizing robotics, automated material handling systems, PLC‑controlled equipment, process automation, and advanced manufacturing technologies
- Background in battery manufacturing, chemical processing, automotive, or energy‑related industries
- Experience leading electromechanical and instrumentation technicians
- Knowledge of industrial battery charging systems
- Sit: 30%
- Walk: 30%
- Stand: 40%
Rare (<1%), Occasional (1-33%), Frequent (34-66%), Continuous (67-100%)
- Up to 10 lbs.: Continuous
- Up to 20 lbs.: Frequent
- Up to 35 lbs.: Occasional
- Team‑lift only (over 35 lbs.): Occasional
Panasonic Energy prioritizes total well‑being and offers comprehensive benefits options to support physical, emotional, financial, social, and environmental health:
- 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.
- On‑site Food Options: Several on‑site cafes, plentiful snack and beverage kitchens, revolving on‑site vendor visits and employee events.
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.
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.
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.
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.
R-106012
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