SOP Project Manager

Panasonic Avionics Corporation; De Soto (KS); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Benefits

401(k) matching

Paid Time-Off Benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Employee Recognition Program

Annual Bonus Program

On-site Food Options

Job summary

Panasonic Avionics Corporation is seeking a Project Manager to lead cross-functional project execution in De Soto, Kansas. The role involves managing project scope, schedules, and risks for capital improvements and production scalability at the world's largest lithium-ion battery factory.

Ideal candidates should have 5+ years of project management experience, a related degree, and excellent communication skills, supporting a commitment to sustainability and electric vehicle innovation.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on project management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to manage project scope, schedule, and cost.
• Strong working knowledge of project management tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of mid- to large-scale projects.
• Define project scope, schedules, and deliverables.
• Coordinate vendor execution and procurement timelines.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Risk management

Technical fluency

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field

Master’s degree or project management certification preferred

Tools

MS Project

Smartsheet

JIRA

Job description

Overview

Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Project Manager? Then we're looking for you! Join the PECNA team today!

Responsibilities

SOP Project Manager

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tMgKm_71qs

Meet the Recruiter: Eric Laffey

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 Project Manager leads cross‑functional project execution for facility operations, capital improvements, and production scalability within a high‑volume manufacturing environment, operating within established program priorities and organizational objectives. This role manages project scope, schedule, budget, and risk to ensure safe, compliant, and timely delivery. Working closely with engineering, procurement, operations, and vendor partners, the Project Manager drives alignment and execution without direct people leadership. Ideal candidates bring strong planning discipline, technical fluency, and the ability to influence cross‑functional teams in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment.

Essential Duties

• Lead planning and execution of mid‑ to large‑scale projects supporting infrastructure, production, and capital initiatives
• Define project scope, schedules, deliverables, and resource requirements in partnership with key stakeholders
• Develop and maintain integrated project schedules, managing critical path activities and interdependencies
• Coordinate vendor execution, procurement timelines, and construction or installation milestones
• Execute assigned projects in alignment with established program plans, governance, and sequencing priorities

Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement

• Proactively identify project risks and implement mitigation strategies to protect cost, schedule, and scope
• Track project performance using established KPIs and dashboards to drive timely decision‑making
• Support continuous improvement by applying and suggesting improvements to project workflows, templates, and standard processes
• Capture lessons learned and contribute to project closeout documentation to support continuous improvement efforts

Training & Team Support

• Lead and facilitate recurring project meetings, ensuring accountability and alignment across teams
• Provide guidance to cross‑functional contributors on project expectations, timelines, and deliverables
• Support adoption and effective use of project management tools and standard practices

Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Communication

• Serve as primary point of contact between engineering, operations, procurement, vendors, and leadership
• Deliver clear, consistent project communications through status reports, dashboards, and presentations
• Resolve project conflicts, remove execution barriers, and elevate risks or issues through defined governance channels as appropriate

Quality, Safety, & Compliance

• Ensure project execution aligns with internal quality, safety, and regulatory requirements
• Maintain audit‑ready project documentation and support internal or external inspections as required
• Reinforce safety expectations across project teams and vendor partners

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

• Employees may be required to wear PPE such as a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, bump cap, and a full hazmat suit that includes a respirator

Qualifications

Education, Certifications, and Licenses

Required: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Computer Science, or related technical/operations field. Relevant work experience may be substituted for required education.

Preferred: Master’s degree (e.g., MBA, MS in Project Management, Engineering Management, or Data Analytics); PMP, CAPM, or equivalent project management certification; Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

Essential Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands‑on project management experience delivering technical, construction, manufacturing, or capital projects
• Demonstrated ability to manage project scope, schedule, cost, and risk for mid‑ to large‑scale initiatives
• Proven experience developing and maintaining detailed project schedules and managing critical path activities
• Strong working knowledge of project management tools such as Smartsheet, MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, JIRA, or similar platforms
• Ability to coordinate cross‑functional teams and external vendors without direct authority
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for delivering clear project status, risks, and mitigation plans to diverse audiences
• Experience operating within established governance, standards, and program or PMO frameworks
• Must have working‑level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking English
• 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, gratitude)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in lithium‑ion battery or high‑volume manufacturing environments
• Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, Agile, or other structured methodologies
• Understanding of engineering drawings, capital expenditure projects, or facility systems
• Advanced proficiency in enterprise platforms (e.g., SAP, Oracle)
• Demonstrated ability to drive change and improve processes in fast‑paced or evolving settings

Physical Demands

• Sit: 40%
• Walk: 30%
• Stand: 30%

Required Lifting and Carrying: Rare (< 1%), Occasional (1‑33%), Frequent (34‑66%), Continuous (67‑100%). For this position: up to 10 lbs.: Occasional; up to 20 lbs.: Occasional; up to 35 lbs.: Occasional; team‑lift only (over 35 lbs.): Rare.

Benefits & Perks

• Health Benefits – 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 may vary)
• 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

Where You'll Be

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.

Who We Are

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.

In addition to an environment that is as innovative as our products, we offer competitive salaries and benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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. Pre‑employment drug testing is required.