Project Manager – EV or Battery Industry

HappyGlobal Service; Illinois; On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

HappyGlobal Service seeks a Senior Manager to lead a two-person PM team focused on battery cell and pack programs. You will guide end-to-end execution from concept through high-volume manufacturing, bridging US operations with China engineering.

You will require deep Li-ion system knowledge, experience with MS Project or Primavera P6, and bilingual fluency in English and Mandarin to coordinate with global stakeholders and suppliers on complex programs.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of project or program management in the battery, cell, and pack industry (EV or energy storage preferred).
• Budget leadership on programs exceeding $50 million in scope.
• Experience leading analysts, coordinators, or junior project staff.
• Proficient in MS Project or Oracle Primavera P6 for complex scheduling.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Mandarin (highly preferred).
• Deep understanding of Li-ion battery cells, packs, and manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Direct a two-person PM team including a Project Analyst to maximize efficiency.
• Manage lifecycle of battery programs from planning through procurement, construction, and launch.
• Build and oversee resource-loaded schedules using MS Project or P6.
• Coordinate across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, EHS, and external contractors.
• Oversee DV/PV, APQP, and PPAP activities for automotive and energy storage customers.
• Bridge US Manteno site with China HQ; lead RFQ/RFI workshops and updates.
• Mitigate risks with long-lead equipment and supplier timelines; ensure on-time delivery.

Skills

Project management

Team leadership

Budget management

Scheduling

Cross-functional

Technical validation

Bilingual English/Chinese

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Project

Oracle Primavera P6

Job description

In this pivotal role, you will lead a specialized two-person project management team—comprising yourself as the Senior Manager and a dedicated Project Analyst—to drive the end-to-end execution of battery cell and pack manufacturing programs. You will oversee large-scale capital and production initiatives from concept through high-volume manufacturing, managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects. Serving as the crucial bridge between local operations and global engineering, this position requires strong technical acumen in Li-ion battery systems, mastery of enterprise project management tools, and bilingual fluency in English and Chinese.

• Team Leadership & Delegation: Direct the workflow of a dedicated Project Analyst, delegating data analysis, schedule tracking, reporting, and administrative project controls to ensure the two-person team operates at maximum efficiency.
• Program & Capital Management: Direct the lifecycle of battery cell and pack programs from planning and engineering through procurement, construction, commissioning, and product launch. Manage simultaneous project.
• Project Controls & Scheduling: Build, maintain, and actively oversee complex, resource-loaded project schedules and work breakdown structures using Microsoft Project or Oracle Primavera P6.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Coordinate across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, EHS, and external contractors to ensure alignment on program deliverables, timelines, and costs.
• Technical Validation: Oversee product development and manufacturing validation processes, including DV/PV (Design/Production Validation), APQP, and PPAP for automotive and energy storage customers.
• Global Communication: Serve as the primary liaison between the US-based Manteno site, North American customers, and the headquarters/engineering teams in China. Facilitate technical workshops, executive updates, and RFQ/RFI responses.
• Risk & Supply Chain Mitigation: Partner with logistics and supply chain teams to coordinate long‑lead equipment purchases, monitor supplier manufacturing timelines, and proactively mitigate risks to keep project schedules on track.
• On‑Site Execution: Oversee equipment integration, staging, commissioning, and facility setup specifically related to cell and pack production lines, ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, and building codes.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Schedule Adherence: Achieve 100% on‑time delivery for critical path milestones (e.g., equipment delivery, site commissioning, Start of Production) tracked accurately via enterprise scheduling software (MS Project/P6).
• Budget Variance: Maintain capital and program expenditures strictly within the $50M+ allocated budget parameters.
• Team Output & Efficiency: Successfully manage and develop the dedicated Project Analyst, ensuring accurate and timely delivery of project reports, risk registries, and financial tracking.
• Quality & Validation Pass Rate: Secure first‑pass approvals for critical automotive/OEM quality gateways, such as PPAP and DV/PV sign-offs.
• Risk Mitigation Efficiency: Maintain a documented risk registry and ensure zero project delays caused by foreseeable supply chain bottlenecks or lack of cross‑functional alignment.
• Safety Compliance: Achieve a zero‑incident safety record during the installation and commissioning phases of the cell and pack production lines.

Experience Level & Qualifications

• Industry Experience: Minimum of 5 years of dedicated project or program management experience within the battery, cell, and pack industry (EV or energy storage preferred).
• Financial Scope: Proven track record of successfully leading complex manufacturing, facility, or product development projects with budgets explicitly exceeding $50 million.
• Management Experience: Prior experience leading, mentoring, or directing analysts, coordinators, or junior project staff.
• Software Proficiency: Demonstrated functional proficiency in Microsoft Project or Oracle Primavera P6 for managing complex Gantt charts, resource allocation, and critical path analysis.
• Language Proficiency: Bilingual proficiency in English and Chinese (Mandarin) is highly preferred/required to seamlessly facilitate technical discussions and bridge the US‑based team with global counterparts.
• Technical Acumen: Deep understanding of Li‑ion battery cell chemistry, pack systems, and manufacturing processes.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Materials) or a related technical discipline.
• Work Setting: Ability and willingness to work 100% on‑site

HappyGlobal Service and its clients are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.