Occupational Health & Safety Manager (Lithium-Ion Battery Manufacturing)

Location: Onsite in De Soto, Kansas, United States. Candidates must have valid authorization to work in the U.S. without restriction.

Company

Panasonic Energy produces lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and is expanding a large-scale battery manufacturing facility in Kansas.

What you will do

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of occupational health and safety management systems for battery manufacturing operations.
• Manage OHS programs covering Lockout/Tagout, machine guarding, confined space, fall protection, respiratory protection, and industrial hygiene.
• Establish safety KPIs and leading indicators, analyze trends, and implement risk-reduction and continuous-improvement initiatives.
• Oversee risk assessments, Job Hazard Analyses, Process Hazard Analyses, Management of Change, incident investigations, audits, and corrective actions.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, engineering, facilities, HR, auditors, consultants, and regulatory agencies.
• Supervise, coach, and develop Health and Safety Partners and site safety champions while strengthening the safety culture.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety and Health, EHS, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Science, Engineering, or a related technical field; relevant experience may substitute.
• At least 5 years of progressive leadership experience in occupational health and safety or regulatory compliance within manufacturing, industrial, or high-hazard environments.
• Working knowledge of OSHA, NFPA, ANSI, and applicable regulatory standards.
• Experience with safety management systems such as ISO 45001 or ISO 14001, incident investigations, root cause analysis, risk assessments, PHA, and MOC.
• Experience with EHS management systems, reporting tools, and digital compliance platforms such as Enablon, Intelex, or VelocityEHS.
• Working-level English proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking, plus the ability to wear required PPE, including respirators and hazmat suits.

Nice to have

• Master’s degree or certifications such as CSP, CIH, ISO Lead Auditor, CHMM, Lean Six Sigma, HAZWOPER, First Aid/CPR, or Emergency Response.
• 7+ years of progressive OHS or regulatory compliance leadership experience.
• Experience in lithium-ion battery, chemical, semiconductor, or automotive manufacturing.
• Experience with industrial hygiene, ergonomics, behavioral safety, emergency response, hazardous materials, contractor safety, and engineering design reviews.

Culture & Benefits

• Onsite work environment at a new lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility.
• Medical, dental, vision, prescription, HSA, and FSA options, plus voluntary insurance programs.
• 401(k) plan with company matching and immediate vesting.
• Paid vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer leave, and parental and caregiver leave.
• Tuition reimbursement after six months, wellbeing programs, employee recognition, and an annual performance-based bonus opportunity.
• Onsite cafes, snack and beverage kitchens, vendors, and employee events.

Hiring process

• Pre-employment drug testing is required.
• Applications are reviewed and candidates of interest will be contacted.