ResponsibilitiesProduction Training & Capability Development Managerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tMgKm_71qs
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Meet the Recruiter: Eric LaffeySummary: 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:Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America (PECNA) is seeking a Manager, Production Training & Capability Development. This position is responsible for improving workforce capability, productivity, and operational performance through the development and management of training, certification, qualification, and employee development systems.
This position partners with Production, Quality, Safety, Maintenance, Engineering, Continuous Improvement, and Human Resources to identify workforce capability needs and implement effective learning solutions. The role is responsible for establishing and maintaining training governance, skill development frameworks, certification systems, trainer capability programs, and workforce development strategies that support safe, high-quality, and efficient manufacturing operations.
Essential Duties:Training Strategy & Governance- Establish and maintain policies, procedures, and systems that support workforce learning and capability development.
- Develop and execute short-term and long-term training strategies aligned with business objectives.
- Conduct training needs assessments and capability gap analyses.
- Develop annual training roadmaps and workforce capability plans.
- Establish governance processes for training, qualifications, certifications, and workforce development.
Training Program Development- Design, develop, implement, and continuously improve manufacturing training programs.
- Develop instructor-led, hands-on, blended, and digital learning solutions.
- Develop and maintain effective training materials, qualification tools, assessments, and job aids.
- Evaluate learning effectiveness using operational performance data and participant feedback.
- Analyze learning delivery methods and recommend the most effective learning solutions.
Skill Management & Certification- Establish and maintain skill matrices and competency frameworks.
- Define job-level expectations and qualification requirements.
- Develop and maintain certification and recertification processes.
- Lead task validation and competency verification activities.
- Ensure training records, qualification records, and certification records remain accurate and compliant.
Trainer Excellence- Lead, develop, coach, and evaluate Production Trainers.
- Develop trainer qualification standards and trainer certification requirements.
- Prepare and coach subject matter experts to support training delivery.
- Support Train-the-Trainer programs and trainer capability development initiatives.
- Ensure consistency of training delivery across departments, shifts, and sites.
Leadership & Collaboration- Collaborate extensively with Production leadership, supervisors, managers, and cross-functional partners.
- Support workforce planning through capability and succession development initiatives.
- Partner with Operations to identify and prioritize training needs.
- Work effectively with functional training leaders across the organization.
- Attend leadership meetings and provide updates regarding training performance and workforce capability metrics.
Continuous Improvement- Lead continuous improvement initiatives related to learning and workforce development.
- Implement best practices in adult learning, knowledge transfer, and capability development.
- Evaluate new learning technologies and innovative training solutions including simulation and immersive learning technologies.
- Support organizational change initiatives through structured change management practices.
Metrics & Reporting- Develop, track, analyze, and report training and workforce capability metrics.
- Establish KPIs to measure effectiveness of learning and development activities.
- Utilize training data to support business decisions and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Monitor compliance, qualification, certification, and workforce readiness metrics.
Compliance & Records Management- Maintain compliance with internal and external training requirements.
- Support ISO, IATF, and other applicable training-related standards.
- Ensure accurate and reliable maintenance of training records.
- Support audits and compliance reviews related to training and workforce qualifications.
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.
QualificationsRequirements - Required and/or PreferredEducation:Basic/Required: Bachelor's degree in Education, Organizational Development, Business, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Human Resources, or a related field. Equivalent work experience may be substituted for education requirements.
Essential Qualifications: - Minimum 7 years of experience in Learning & Development, Workforce Development, Manufacturing Operations, or related fields.
- Minimum 2 years of people leadership experience.
- Experience leading training functions within a manufacturing environment.
- Experience developing and implementing training programs and workforce capability systems.
- Experience managing skill matrices, certification systems, qualification programs, and training governance processes.
- Strong facilitation, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong Microsoft Office skills including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook.
- Working-level English proficiency including reading, writing, and speaking.
Preferred Qualifications: - Battery manufacturing experience.
- Experience supporting manufacturing startup or rapid expansion environments.
- Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement experience.
- Learning Management System (LMS) administration experience.
- Experience with training technologies, VR, simulation, or immersive learning solutions.
- Knowledge of ISO, IATF, or other manufacturing quality systems.
- Bilingual capability preferred.
Preferred License(s) and/or Certification(s) (one or more):- Certified Training and Development Professional (CTDP)
- Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD - ATD)
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
- Train-the-Trainer certification (e.g., TWI Job Instruction)
Physical Demands:Physical Activities: (Percentage of time (equaling 100%) during the normal workday the employee is required to)
- Sit: 30%
- Walk: 30%
- Stand: 30%
- 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:
- 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.
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