Maintenance Manager

Overview:

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

Responsibilities:

Maintenance Manager

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Meet the Recruiter: Eric Laffey

 

Summary: 

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:

The Facilities Maintenance Manager is responsible for leading and optimizing the maintenance and reliability of facility infrastructure, utilities, building systems, and critical assets across the site. This role provides direct leadership to Facilities Maintenance personnel and contracted service providers while ensuring safe, reliable, compliant, and cost-effective maintenance operations. The Facilities Maintenance Manager oversees preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs supporting HVAC, electrical distribution, plumbing, steam process, compressed air, chilled water, vacuum, RODI, wastewater, chemical process systems, and other site infrastructure. This position partners closely with Facilities Operations, Engineering, EHS, Construction, and Manufacturing teams to drive asset reliability, operational excellence, workforce development, and continuous improvement initiatives that support site and business objectives.

 

Essential Duties:

Functional Leadership & Operations:

• Provide overall leadership and operational oversight of facilities maintenance activities across assigned areas and systems

• Establish maintenance priorities and execution strategies that support asset reliability, production continuity, and facility performance objectives

• Lead preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs for critical facility infrastructure and utility systems

• Ensure maintenance activities are planned, scheduled, and executed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with established standards and procedures

• Drive rapid response and effective resolution of equipment failures, facility issues, and operational disruptions to minimize downtime and business impact

Strategic Alignment & Continuous Improvement:

• Lead facility reliability initiatives through asset criticality assessments, reliability-centered maintenance (RCM), preventive maintenance optimization, and root cause analysis processes

• Monitor CMMS data and key performance indicators (KPIs), including asset availability, MTBF, MTTR, work order completion, backlog management, and recurring failures

• Utilize reliability metrics, trend analysis, and maintenance data to identify opportunities for system improvements and lifecycle asset management

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, reliability, maintenance effectiveness, equipment uptime, and cost optimization

• Establish and maintain standardized maintenance practices, procedures, and documentation across facilities systems and teams

• Develop and manage maintenance budgets, forecasts, labor planning, contract expenditures, and maintenance cost controls

• Provide regular reporting on maintenance KPIs, reliability performance, equipment health, backlog status, and improvement initiatives

• Identify opportunities for cost optimization while maintaining safety, compliance, and asset reliability standards

• Ensure maintenance resources are aligned with operational priorities and business objectives

Team Development & Knowledge Sharing:

• Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing Facilities Maintenance organization through coaching, mentoring, performance management, and employee development

• Establish training plans, cross-training opportunities, and succession strategies to strengthen workforce capability and operational readiness

• Partner with Human Resources to support hiring, onboarding, workforce planning, employee engagement, and performance management activities

• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, continuous learning, and operational excellence

• Promote safe work practices and ensure team members receive appropriate technical and safety training

• Provide direct leadership to Facilities Maintenance personnel and oversight of contracted maintenance service providers

• Responsible for performance management, workforce planning, scheduling, employee development, and organizational effectiveness within Facilities Maintenance

• Establish clear performance expectations and accountability measures aligned with departmental and site objectives

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Partner closely with Facilities Operations, Engineering, Manufacturing, Construction, Project Controls, Procurement, EHS, and other stakeholders to support site objectives

• Provide maintenance and reliability input for facility expansions, capital projects, system upgrades, startup activities, and commissioning efforts

• Communicate maintenance performance, reliability risks, priorities, and project status effectively to leadership and business partners

• Support long-term asset management planning and infrastructure lifecycle improvement strategies

• Represent Facilities Maintenance in cross-functional meetings, audits, project reviews, and operational planning activities

• Manage contractor and vendor relationships supporting facilities maintenance services, ensuring alignment with safety, quality, service, and performance expectations

• Oversee contractor selection, scope development, scheduling, permits, site access, and execution of maintenance and repair activities

• Monitor contractor performance and ensure compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and site safety standards

• Partner with Procurement and vendors to support inventory availability, critical spare parts strategies, and cost management objectives

• Ensure vendor-supported work is completed on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with quality requirements

Quality, Safety, Compliance, & Risk Management:

• Ensure compliance with all environmental, health, safety, quality, and regulatory requirements applicable to facility maintenance operations

• Establish expectations and accountability for safe work practices, including LOTO, confined space entry, energized work, chemical handling, working at heights, and PPE compliance

• Partner with EHS to support audits, inspections, corrective actions, incident investigations, and safety improvement initiatives

• Lead maintenance support activities during facility emergencies, utility outages, and incident response events to ensure rapid restoration of operations

• Ensure accurate maintenance records, compliance documentation, permits, inspections, and audit readiness activities are maintained

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, Certifications, and Licenses

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Facilities Management, Construction Management or related field

• Relevant work experience may be substituted for required education

Preferred:

• Master’s Degree (MBA or MS) in a related discipline

• Certified Facility Manager (CFM) or Facilities Management Professional (FMP)

• Building Operator Certification (BOC)

• HVAC Technician Certification

• OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Certification

• LEED Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)

• Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) Trainer

• HAZWOPER 8- or 40-hour Certification

• EPA Universal Certification (or equivalent refrigerant handling certification)

• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

Essential Qualifications:

• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in Facilities Maintenance

• Strong knowledge of Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) and maintenance planning processes

• Strong knowledge of building systems and critical utilities, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical distribution, steam process, compressed air, chilled water, vacuum, RODI, wastewater, chemical systems, and associated SCADA, BMS, and FMS Platforms

• Experience with Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM), preventive maintenance, and predictive maintenance programs

• Knowledge of OSHA regulations and regulated-environment safety programs, including LOTO, confined space entry, energized work, and chemical handling

• Demonstrated ability to lead maintenance operations in a manufacturing, industrial, or large-scale facilities environment

• Effective communication, leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills

• Experience managing contractors, vendors, maintenance schedules, and capital improvement activities

• Strong data analysis and reporting capabilities, including maintenance KPI tracking and reliability metrics

• Must have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking English

• Requires valid State-issued driver's license

• 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)

Preferred Qualifications:

• 7+ years progressive leadership experience in Facilities Maintenance

• Proven record of accomplishment managing multiple facilities, large-scale operations, or critical utilities infrastructure

• Proficiency in maintenance management software and business applications such as Microsoft Office, Excel, SAP, CMMS, BMS, SCADA, and FMS platforms

• Experience supporting facility expansions, utility startups, commissioning activities, or major infrastructure upgrades

• Advanced understanding of reliability KPIs, asset lifecycle management, and continuous improvement methodologies

• Strong communication skills with employees, contractors, vendors, and leadership teams

Physical Demands:

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

• Sit: 40%

• Walk: 30%

• Stand: 30%

Required Lifting and Carrying:Rare (<1%), Occasional (1-33%), Frequent (34-66%), Continuous (67-100%)

 

For this position, the required frequency is:

• Up to 10 lbs.: Continuous

• Up to 20 lbs.: Occasional

• Up to 35 lbs.: Occasional

• Team-lift only (over 35 lbs.): Rare

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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