Continuous Improvement Specialist

				Overview:

Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background? 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 mission. Join the Panasonic Energy team today!

Responsibilities:

Meet Panasonic
Meet the Recruiter: Will Downey
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Panasonic Video Our Mission: Create Technologies That Move Us 

Essential Duties:

* Coach and develop line operations leaders from the operators to the general managers through leadership culture and behavior changes, using our PECNA HPL, HPC training methods and the deployment of our newly created production system.
* Coach and develop the full-time hourly CI coaches, *this will mean supporting them on other shifts from time to time and ensuring consistency across shifts* and the multi levels of change leaders to grow their HPC, daily management system/production system knowledge, and coach for change management capabilities.
* Coach all key contributors daily during Gemba walks on developing a highly effective Daily Management process focused on management through visual control, creation of flow, reduction of defects adherence to standard work, and solid implementation of rigorous problem solving.
* Work with the entire value stream organization (salary and hourly) to transform to a culture of significant focus on value for the customer, and rigorous continuous improvement.
* Works with the area's leadership and support team to define and educate the workforce on a lean transformation plan of A3's and JDI's which will lead to achievement of future state targets.
* Act as a change agent to bring about improvement in the processes through the formation and management of plant Rapid Improvement Events (RIEs).
* Identify and invite key participates who will work together to identify opportunities to eliminate waste and focus on improving processes.
* Become an expert on key lean tools, including mechanics and when to apply.
* Conduct regular GEMBA walks and coach for daily improvement and problem solving.
* Ensure A3/A4 thinking is utilized and understood by all levels of the organization.
* Serve as a proactive presence when groups stall or when there is an unwillingness to challenge the status quo through a match-pace-lead approach.
* Support building and implementation of visual management systems and create strong hand-offs to area owners for ongoing success.
* Effectively communicate Lean progress to ensure understanding and implementation.
* Develop communication plan to inform organization of Lean progress made and upcoming Lean activities.
* Establish best practice sharing from shift to shift that have been successful in the implementation of HPC, Gemba walks, and Kaizens.

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.

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:

Requirements - Required and/or Preferred

Education:

* Preferred:  Master's Degree

Essential Qualifications:

* Must have strong technical background, including high volume manufacturing environment.
* Solid background in Process Development & Process Improvement.
* Ability to work effectively at all levels of the organization.
* Excellent communicator: Interpersonal and presentation skills
* Able to influence change without direct authority.
* Must have been on PECNA high performance culture training (if internal candidate)
* Dynamic and engaging facilitation/training skills.
* Ability to convey and communicate complex concepts simply and clearly.
* Experience in Did we win today and servant leadership style culture.
* Strong interpersonal, presentation, and project management skills.
* Experience coaching and mentoring.
* Training and coaching others experience.
* Must have working-level knowledge of the

Preferred Qualifications:

* Must have 2+ years of continuous improvement manufacturing experience.
* Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Access, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
* 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).

Physical Demands:

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

* Sit:                                                       40%
* Walk:                                                   30%
* Stand:                                                 20%
* Lift:                                                      10%

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

* 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:

* 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
* Diversity, equity, and 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, 
			

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Panasonic Corporation of North America