Director Of Quality Operations And Engineering (Finance)

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Director of Quality Operations and Engineering is responsible for developing and leading various teams that proactively manage manufacturing operations, systems and programs that ensure our customers' quality expectations are met and continually improve production quality performance. The Director will drive effective quality management and quality engineering practices that deliver design to quality value, reduce total cost of quality and grow and develop quality engineering professionals. The Director will be a change agent that works closely with Leaders in all areas of the company to initiate and drive a PECNA Quality Culture. The individual will direct teams and work closely with Quality Systems and Compliance, Quality Supplier Management and Customer Quality, Continuous Improvement, Design Engineering and execute corrective and preventive actions with accountable teams in Manufacturing, Maintenance and Engineering to resolve customer and internal issues.

This is a high-visibility role, serving as a conduit between Quality and Engineering to VPs, and supporting the KS team. The position may involve travel to the De Soto plant and is viewed as a succession role with potential advancement to VP of Quality. Quality is also being considered for a shared service function

Essential Duties:

• Lead and manage the Quality Operations and Quality Engineering organizational activities and established priorities to meet company and department goals and objectives.
• Develop high performing team and future leaders by coaching and improving individual capability through performance management systems, processes, and talent acquisition.
• People leader responsible for maintaining and improving employee morale to minimize attrition.
• Establish and monitor the team's performance ensuring aligned KPIs to the organization's strategic objectives and with all other functional groups while ensuring compliance to company policies.
• Plans and administers department budget, capital expenditures and direct/indirect labor costs by maintaining inventory and head count controls.
• Reviews and leads reporting of company performance data (sales, profitability, productivity, quality, finances, staffing, etc.) utilizing this data to make department structure and strategy recommendations in support of the business.
• Leads the establishment of company Business Plan KPI targets for Quality across all business units, drives accountability of business units to achieving Business Plan and escalates risk to Sr. Management quickly.
• Leads Quality Engineering continuous improvement cost avoidance projects to reduce total cost of quality, optimize processes efficiency and decrease non-conformance.
• Champion design to quality principals and quality first behaviors, transparency, and collaboration to internal and external stakeholders
• Assure compliance and continuous improvements to all quality management systems as well as the integration with other management systems such as, IATF 16949:2016, ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, etc. required for all vehicle manufacturers suppliers.
• Develop and execute continuous improvement plans on standards, methods, metrics, and procedures for inspecting, testing, and evaluating the precision, accuracy, and reliability of our product and equipment.
• Lead failure investigation and corrective action for production, quality, and customer related failures, and facilitate customer quality & reliability interactions.
• Drive on-time root cause analysis and corrective preventive actions to resolve equipment design and product design deficiencies.
• Be a key player in the local leadership team for all issues by providing leadership during problem resolution events, such as S1, F1, and management of change opportunities.
• Champion and support all corporate Quality initiatives and core business processes such as Hoshin, Obeya, 4M, QRRPR.
• Work closely with three direct reports and collaborate across quality and engineering teams.
• Experience detecting waste and flaws in manufacturing processes is highly desirable.
• Ideal candidates will be able to hit the ground running and preferrably be operating at the director level.
• Ability to travel as required of the position and other duties as may be assigned.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements:

To ensure the health and safety in the workplace and for the protection of our employees, wearing PPE is a requirement for some roles at PENA 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.

Qualificatoins:

• Basic/Required: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Reliability, Continuous Improvement, or related supply chain and manufacturing field.
• 10+ years minimum Quality & Reliability experience required in high volume manufacturing (battery, automotive, semiconductor, medical devices at 1M+ units per day).
• Experience utilizing quality management tools including statistical decision-making methods, process capability analysis, Measurement System Analysis (MSA), Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility (GR&R) and Design of Experiments (DoE)
• Experience in continuous improvement and structure problem solving techniques and tools such as 8-D, fishbone, FTA, FMEA and other quality tools
• Must be team oriented with attention to detail and excellent verbal and written communication skills are required
• Ability to interact effectively with various levels of management is required
• Knowledge of 6 Sigma methods and techniques, process control systems, process capability, measurements, and analysis, FMEA, preventive action, and continuous improvement programs required
• Experience with ISO 9001 quality management systems and auditing
• Proficient in MS Office Suite, especially Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Must have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking English

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preferred: Master's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical, or related fields).
• Experience integrating AI and machine learning tools is highly desirable, especially in smart factory environments. Familiarity with Palantir and foundry systems is a plus
• Battery manufacturing experience preferred; automotive or semiconductor backgrounds also highly relevant.
• Previous work experience in a cross-culture; international environment or Japanese business culture a big plus.
• 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)

BENEFITS & PERKS - WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU:

Panasonic Energy prioritizes total well-being and offers comprehensive benefits options to support physical, emotional, financial, social, and environmental health:

• Highly inclusive and class-leading healthcare options to include family planning, mental health, and pet insurance
• Employee assistance programs that support total well-being with complimentary session offered each and every month
• Company-matched and fully vested 401K retirement program that starts immediately from date of enrollment
• Annual bonus program, High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition
• Simplified access to self-guided and representative-supported short and long-term financial wellness and retirement planning
• Educational Assistance & Reimbursement Program
• Inclusion programs and associated employee resource groups that promote representation and belonging
• Leadership, career, and mentorship development programs opportunities at all levels across the organization
• Several on-site cafes, plentiful snack and beverage kitchens, revolving on-site vendor visits and employee events
• Collaborative and motivating culture routed in continuous personal and professional growth and much more.
• Shuttle rides to and from work

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. Join us and be part of a team that values your work, encourages innovation, and actively contributes to a positive societal impact.

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

WE TAKE OPPORTUNITY SERIOUSLY:

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. If you are actively looking or starting to explore new opportunities, submit your application!

Supplemental Information:

Pre-employment drug testing is required.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristic 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.

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