Production Manager, Assembly - D Shift (Battery Manufacturing)

Location: De Soto, Kansas, United States; onsite. D shift: 6:45 PM–7:30 AM on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and every other Wednesday.

Company

Panasonic Energy produces lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and sustainable energy solutions at a large-scale manufacturing facility.

What you will do

• Own safety, quality, cost, delivery, and productivity performance across multiple production lines.
• Lead and develop Production Supervisors and oversee hourly production personnel.
• Manage capacity planning, labor optimization, resource allocation, operating expenses, and production plans.
• Drive Lean manufacturing, 6S, standardized work, continuous improvement, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Analyze SQDCP metrics, lead structured problem-solving, and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, EHS, and HR on operational execution, workforce planning, PFMEA, capacity expansion, and new product introductions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related technical field; relevant experience may substitute.
• 5+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in a high-volume, 24/7 production environment.
• Experience owning safety, quality, cost, and delivery metrics, with strong data-driven decision-making and financial skills.
• Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing, 6S, structured problem-solving, and continuous improvement.
• Experience with ERP/MES systems such as SAP, Oracle, or FactoryTalk, plus Microsoft Office proficiency.
• Must have valid authorization to work in the U.S. without restriction and working-level English proficiency.

Nice to have

• 7+ years of manufacturing leadership experience and experience leading organizations of 100+ employees.
• Master’s degree, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher, or OSHA 30-Hour General Industry certification.
• Experience with automated manufacturing, productivity improvement, operational transformation, new product introductions, or major capacity expansions.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills, such as Japanese or Spanish.

Culture & Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, prescription, HSA, and FSA options.
• 401(k) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting.
• Paid vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer, parental, and caregiver leave.
• Tuition reimbursement after six months of service, wellbeing programs, and employee recognition awards.
• Annual performance-based bonus and onsite cafes, snacks, beverages, vendors, and employee events.
• PPE, pre-employment drug testing, and respirator fit testing are required where applicable.