Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Senior Strategic Planning 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!

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 Senior Strategic Planning Manager oversees all cost and schedule planning activities for construction and equipment installation projects supporting the Kansas facility. This role ensures alignment between project execution, financial performance, and strategic objectives by leading the development and governance of cost control, scheduling, and performance management systems. The Senior Strategic Planning Manager collaborates extensively with internal teams and external partners to optimize efficiency, minimize costs, and eliminate schedule delays.

Essential Duties:

Functional Leadership & Operations:

• Oversee cost management and schedule planning processes across construction and tool installation projects, ensuring data accuracy, transparency, and timeliness
• Develop and manage comprehensive cost-saving initiatives that drive long-term operational efficiency and financial performance
• Review and approve daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual cost-tracking reports and performance summaries
• Ensure consistent application of planning standards, tools, and reporting methodologies across all projects

Strategic Alignment & Continuous Improvement:

• Align planning activities with corporate strategy and long-term business goals to ensure project investments deliver optimal value
• Lead process improvement initiatives to reduce inefficiencies such as tool arrival (TA) waiting time, contractor idle time, work stoppages, and equipment storage costs
• Establish benchmarks, KPIs, and predictive analytics to monitor and improve planning accuracy and cost forecasting
• Drive continuous improvement culture through the integration of lessons learned and best practices into future planning frameworks

Team Development & Knowledge Sharing:

• Manage, mentor, and develop one direct report (Planning Manager) by setting clear goals, providing regular feedback, and supporting professional growth
• Foster a collaborative and knowledge-sharing environment within the Planning team and across departments
• Promote consistency in planning standards and cost-control methodologies across all project teams

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Work closely with the construction team, tool installation team, general contractors, subcontractors, legal, finance, PEC/MEBD, logistics, and equipment partners to maintain seamless coordination throughout project lifecycles
• Synchronize construction and equipment installation schedules with upstream manufacturing, procurement, and logistics activities
• Partner with Finance and senior leadership to ensure cost management and schedule plans support corporate objectives and fiscal responsibility
• Represent the Planning function in executive reviews, presenting key performance data, risks, and recommendations

Quality, Safety, Compliance, & Risk Management:

• Ensure all planning and execution activities comply with corporate policies, contractual terms, and regulatory requirements
• Assess and mitigate project risks related to cost, schedule, and supply chain disruptions
• Maintain strong documentation, governance, and reporting discipline in line with audit and compliance standards
• Promote safety awareness and adherence to EHS standards across all planning and execution activities

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements:

• To ensure health and safety in the workplace and for employee protection, 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. A 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:

Education:

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field
• Preferred: Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), Engineering Management, or a related discipline

Essential Qualifications:

• 8+ years of progressive experience in procurement (sourcing and/or purchasing) with exposure to cost control, planning, or project management functions
• 5+ years of experience in a prior leadership role with direct P&L and Balance Sheet management experience
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional cost and schedule planning in complex construction or equipment installation environments
• Strong analytical, leadership, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced setting
• Proven ability to lead through influence and drive results across diverse teams and external partners
• Must have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking English
• 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:

• Experience in the EV battery, automotive, or advanced manufacturing industries
• Background in logistics (transportation, international trade, warehousing)
• Familiarity with cost estimation and scheduling tools such as Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, or equivalent systems
• Experience implementing and managing ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) for cost and procurement integration
• Knowledge of capital project management methodologies and long-term cost forecasting techniques
• Strong understanding of supply chain interdependencies and risk mitigation within large-scale manufacturing projects
• Experience presenting complex cost and schedule analyses to senior executives and stakeholders

Preferred Certification(s):

• Project Management Professional (PMP) – PMI
• Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) – APICS
• Certified Construction Manager (CCM) or equivalent credential

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: 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.: Not Required
• Team-lift only (over 35 lbs.): Not Required

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.

This is an exciting time to join us as we expand our operations to De Soto, Kansas and build the world's largest lithium-ion battery factory. We will provide 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!

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.

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
• 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
• Collaborative and motivating culture routed in continuous personal and professional growth and much more.

Supplemental Information:

Pre-employment drug testing is required.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, 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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