Manager, Materials Engineering

Manager, Materials Engineering

Panasonic Energy is seeking a Manager, Materials Engineering, reporting to the Director of Materials Engineering. This position will lead programs to establish and qualify multiple sources of key battery materials for Panasonic Energy's North American lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing operations. The Manager will oversee the full material-development and introduction lifecycle, including initial technical feasibility assessment, laboratory evaluation of physical and chemical properties, production-scale trials, qualification, and implementation.

The role will lead a technical team and coordinate closely with suppliers and cross-functional stakeholders in Engineering, Production, Quality, Procurement, Maintenance, and global development organizations.

Essential Duties:

• Lead execution of assigned cross-functional programs to develop, qualify, and implement a resilient North American supply chain for key battery materials.
• Direct material evaluation activities from initial technical feasibility assessment through laboratory analysis, production trials, qualification, and mass-production implementation.
• Coordinate effectively with Production, Engineering, Quality, Procurement, global development teams, and supplier-quality organizations to deliver program objectives.
• Ensure appropriate laboratory capabilities, analytical methods, and resources support the safe, accurate, and timely evaluation of material properties required for development and qualification.
• Lead the development, validation, and implementation of new or improved analytical methods, working internally and with suppliers as appropriate.
• Maintain productive technical relationships with prospective and existing suppliers to facilitate qualification and project execution.
• Partner with Engineering, Production, Quality, and Procurement teams to plan, execute, and evaluate production trials.
• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of Panasonic Energy's material-introduction process.
• Provide concise, data-driven updates to senior leadership regarding program status, technical results, risks, decisions, and required actions.
• Identify program risks and escalate technical, schedule, quality, supply, and resource concerns sufficiently early to support effective decision-making.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Recruit, onboard, develop, and retain a technically capable and collaborative team of engineers, supervisors, and other assigned personnel.
• Establish clear responsibilities, priorities, performance expectations, and development plans for the Materials Engineering team.
• Plan and assign work, monitor execution, provide timely coaching and feedback, appraise performance, recognize contributions, and address performance or conduct concerns in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Develop short-term and mid-term team plans aligned with business objectives and material-development priorities.
• Manage resources within approved plans, including team budget, staffing, equipment, and other resources required to meet approved program objectives.
• Build organizational capability through technical mentoring, leadership development, and appropriate delegation.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, technical rigor, continuous improvement, and timely execution.

Travel Requirement:
Up to 25% travel required

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 possibility 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.

Qualifications Requirements - Required and/or Preferred

Required Education, Certifications, and Licenses:
Bachelor's degree in Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related discipline.

Preferred Education, Certifications, and Licenses:
Master's degree in Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related discipline is highly desirable. PhD preferred.

Essential

Qualifications:

8+ years of progressively responsible experience in engineering, materials science, material development, manufacturing, supplier quality, or a related technical field, including at least 3years of formal people management, supervisory, or substantial technical leadership experience. Demonstrated knowledge of lithium-ion battery materials, manufacturing processes, or associated supply chains. Experience supporting the sourcing, development, qualification, or industrialization of raw materials. Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional, geographically distributed, and global teams to execute complex technical programs in a fast-paced environment with evolving business priorities.

Demonstrated ability to develop people, delegate effectively, provide constructive feedback, and build team capability. Strong program and project-management skills,…