Senior Strategic Planning Manager

Overview

Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Senior Strategic Planning Manager? Then we're looking for you! Check out the job description and apply now! Put your skills to meaningful use, gain unique experience, and work with world-class team members with diverse backgrounds and expertise who share the same vision.

Join the PECNA team today!

Meet the Recruiter: Eric Laffey

Summary:

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.

Job Summary:

The Senior Strategic Planning Manager oversees all cost and schedule planning activities for construction and equipment installation projects supporting the Kansas facility. This role ensures alignment between project execution, financial performance, and strategic objectives by leading the development and governance of cost control, scheduling, and performance management systems. The Senior Strategic Planning Manager collaborates extensively with internal teams and external partners to optimize efficiency, minimize costs, and eliminate schedule delays.

Essential Duties:

Functional Leadership & Operations:

• Oversee cost management and schedule planning processes across construction and tool installation projects, ensuring data accuracy, transparency, and timeliness
• Develop and manage comprehensive cost-saving initiatives that drive long-term operational efficiency and financial performance
• Review and approve daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual cost-tracking reports and performance summaries
• Ensure consistent application of planning standards, tools, and reporting methodologies across all projects

Strategic Alignment & Continuous Improvement:

• Align planning activities with corporate strategy and long-term business goals to ensure project investments deliver optimal value
• Lead process improvement initiatives to reduce inefficiencies such as tool arrival (TA) waiting time, contractor idle time, work stoppages, and equipment storage costs
• Establish benchmarks, KPIs, and predictive analytics to monitor and improve planning accuracy and cost forecasting
• Drive continuous improvement culture through the integration of lessons learned and best practices into future planning frameworks

Team Development & Knowledge Sharing:

• Manage, mentor, and develop one direct report (Planning Manager) by setting clear goals, providing regular feedback, and supporting professional growth
• Foster a collaborative and knowledge-sharing environment within the Planning team and across departments
• Promote consistency in planning standards and cost-control methodologies across all project teams

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Work closely with the construction team, tool installation team, general contractors, subcontractors, legal, finance, PEC/MEBD, logistics, and equipment partners to maintain seamless coordination throughout project life cycles
• Synchronize construction and equipment installation schedules with upstream manufacturing, procurement, and logistics activities
• Partner with Finance and senior leadership to ensure cost management and schedule plans support corporate objectives and fiscal responsibility
• Represent the Planning function in executive reviews, presenting key performance data, risks, and recommendations

Quality, Safety, Compliance, &

Risk Management:

• Ensure all planning and execution activities comply with corporate policies, contractual terms, and regulatory requirements
• Assess and mitigate project risks related to…