Manager, Materials Engineering

Overview

Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Manager, Materials Engineering? Then we're looking for you! 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!

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.

• Lead execution of assigned cross-functional programs to develop, qualify, and implement a resilient North American supply chain for key battery materials.
• Establish program scope, milestones, timelines, decision points, resource requirements, risk registers, and technical reporting expectations.
• 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 elevate technical, schedule, quality, supply, and resource concerns sufficiently early to support effective decision-making.
• Frequent (weekly) communication with teams in Japan regarding development progress, challenges, and paths forward (must be able to work effectively across time-zone differences)
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• 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.

• Up to 25% travel required

• To ensure the health and safety in…