Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Maintenance Planner? 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:

We are proud to announce the establishment of a state-of-the-art Li-ion battery factory, set amidst the beautiful Kansas City Metro. This groundbreaking green-field factory will serve as a pioneering hub for innovation in sustainable energy solutions.

If you are enthusiastic about contributing to a sustainable future and being part of a dynamic team shaping the electric vehicle revolution, this opportunity is tailor-made for you. We are seeking resolute individuals to join us as full-time, on-site team members at our new, state-of-the-art factory located in the thriving city of DeSoto, Kansas.

Job Summary:

The Maintenance Planner coordinates the workflow between production departments and maintenance management. This position will be vital to implementing a new computerized maintenance management system, Panasonic PanaCIM. Given that PanaCIM is currently in its initial stages of deployment, the Planner must rapidly acquire proficiency in the system.

The key responsibilities of the Planner include reviewing master production schedules and work orders, establishing priorities, and adjusting schedules by work order specifications. Furthermore, the Planner will play an instrumental role in guiding the maintenance department towards an initiative-taking approach, as opposed to a reactive mindset.

Essential Duties:

Functional Operations

• Coordinating and preparing all maintenance resources and activities according to the staff's specific skills in maintaining comprehensive schedules for daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual tasks
• Collaborate with internal teams to coordinate, plan, and schedule all maintenance activities in the maintenance management system, including preventative, reactive, project, repairs, calibrations, equipment updates, and more
• Ensure resource availability when planning maintenance schedules and performance expectations, including maintenance and operations staff, materials, documents, work orders, change orders, parts availability, and necessary approvals to conduct work as planned
• Organize and coordinate unscheduled or emergency equipment repairs while collaborating with production and operation teams
• Conduct initial screening of incoming repair requests and maintenance work orders while communicating with inventory parts teams and maintenance supervisors to develop necessary planning levels
• Participate in the maintenance and production teams to maximize equipment production and availability

Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement

• Adhere to industry best practices for asset management planning and scheduling
• Continuously improve, develop, implement, and ensure compliance with the PanaCIM system

Training & Team Support

• Audit assignments of work orders

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication

• Integrate new equipment and their maintenance strategies into PanaCIM, verifying relevant information with the Production and Engineering teams

Quality, Safety, & Compliance

• Prepare reports and metrics by leveraging tracking tools and KPIs within PanaCIM to ensure performance goals are met

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 includes equipment such as a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, and a full hazmat suit that includes a respirator. Respirator fit test will be required based on functional area.

The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills and efforts or work conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.

Qualifications:  Required and/or Preferred

Education:

• Required: High School Diploma, General Education Development (GED), or minimum two years of production/manufacturing experience 
• Preferred: Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Essential Qualifications:

• Two years of experience in the role of a maintenance planner.
• Must possess mechanical aptitude, effective planning, and high self-motivation.
• Experience in electronics, heavy industry asset management, or facilities management.
• To facilitate more efficient planning, working experience of asset management functions, including labor and materials, mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic issues, as well as maintenance, general troubleshooting, and repair of manufacturing equipment.
• Extensive computer knowledge, including experience with a computerized maintenance management system to oversee maintenance activities in a manufacturing setting.
• Proficient knowledge and experience with SAP software.
• Ability to effectively communicate the Maintenance department’s initiatives, strategy, and goals.
• Effectively communicate site problems concerns and observations to management promptly.
• Demonstrates exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in the English language, encompassing adeptness in reading, writing, and verbal communication.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency with programs and software, including enterprise asset management, Manufacturing Execution System software, and Palantir software, is preferred.
• Professional etiquette and the ability to work effectively in a distributed team environment.
• Willingness to adjust working hours to support the company's initiatives and priorities.
• The ability to prioritize multiple tasks and demands on resources to accomplish goals.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, high-performance organization.
• Results-orientated with the ability to plan and deliver against production deadlines and goals.
• Resilient, self-motived, and able to work well under pressure.

Physical Demands:

Physical Activities: Percentage of time (equaling 100%) during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 25%
• Walk: 25%
• Stand: 25%
• Lift: 25%

Required Lifting and Carrying: Not required (0%), Occasional (1-33%), Frequent (34-66%, Continuous (67-100%)

For this position, the required frequency is:

• Up to 10 lbs.: Occasional
• Up to 20 lbs.: Occasional
• Up to 35 lbs.: Occasional
• Team-lift only (over 35 lbs.): Not Required

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:

• Health Benefits – Offering medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, plus Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
• Voluntary Benefits – Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance.
• Panasonic Retirement Savings & Investment Plan (PRSIP) – 401(k) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting.
• Paid Time-Off Benefits – Vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer, and parental & caregiver leave.
• Educational Assistance – Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service.
• Health Management and Wellbeing Programs –Lifestyle Spending Account, EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition, neurodiversity, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, and life stage and fertility resources. Available to eligible employees starting the first day of the month following your start date. Eligibility for each benefit may vary based on employment status, location, and length of service.

• Employee Recognition Program - High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition

• Annual Bonus Program - Opportunity for an annual performance-based bonus.
• On-site Food Options: Several on-site cafes, plentiful snack and beverage kitchens, revolving on-site vendor visits and employee events

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, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics 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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