Continuous Improvement Training Team Manager

Overview Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Continuous Improvement Training Team 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 https:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tMgKm_71qs ( by clicking this link you are being referred to an external site that is not part of Panasonic ) Meet the

Recruiter:

Anh Martin 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 Continuous Improvement Training Team Manager leads the design, implementation, and continuous enhancement of training programs that support operational excellence and workforce capability in a lithium-ion battery manufacturing environment. This role partners with cross-functional leaders to identify skill gaps, develop impactful learning solutions, and drive continuous improvement initiatives aligned with Lean principles. The manager ensures training programs reinforce safety, quality, and efficiency while supporting business objectives. Additionally, this role integrates training into onboarding and employee development processes while promoting alignment with the PECNA Way System. Through strong leadership and data-driven insights, the manager drives measurable improvements in workforce capability and operational performance.

Essential Duties:

Functional Leadership & Operations:

Lead the development, coordination, and delivery of training programs, including instructor-led sessions, job aids, and structured learning experiences Manage training operations to ensure alignment with manufacturing KPIs, workforce readiness, and production demands Oversee training schedules, resources, and systems to ensure effective and efficient program execution Oversee and, as needed, facilitate training sessions, workshops, and learning events to ensure high-quality participant experiences

Strategic Alignment & Continuous Improvement:

Identify current and future training needs through job analysis, performance evaluations, and business planning Implement Lean principles and continuous improvement methodologies to enhance training effectiveness and production efficiency Evaluate training programs using metrics, feedback, and performance outcomes to drive ongoing improvements Stay current on industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in training and development

Team Development & Knowledge Sharing:

Lead, coach, and develop training team members to build instructional capability and subject matter expertise Develop standardized work and translate processes into effective training materials such as job breakdown sheets Promote a culture of continuous learning, knowledge sharing, and professional development Support onboarding and ongoing employee development through structured training pathways

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement:

Partner with production, engineering, quality, and HR teams to align training programs with operational goals Collaborate with department leaders to identify skill gaps and implement targeted training programs Engage external training providers and educational institutions to enhance training resources and capabilities Participate in management meetings and provide updates on training performance, goals, and initiatives

Quality, Safety, Compliance, & Risk Management:

Champion a "Safety First" culture and ensure all training programs reinforce safe work practices and compliance requirements Ensure training supports quality standards and adherence to company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements Utilize company resources to sustain safe manufacturing and operational excellence Support continuous quality improvement initiatives through training and technical guidance

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Lead and manage a team of training professionals, including hiring, coaching, performance management, and development

Travel Requirement:

Occasional travel may be required to support training initiatives, benchmarking, or external partnerships 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 Education, Industrial Engineering, Organizational Development, Business, Operations Management, or a related field Relevant work experience may substitute for required education

Preferred:

Master's degree in Education, Organizational Leadership, Business Administration, or related field 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)

Essential Qualifications:

5+ years of progressive continuous improvement leadership experience in a high-performance manufacturing, technical operations environment, or equivalent translatable experience Demonstrated experience leading the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of workforce training programs in a manufacturing or technical environment Demonstrated experience applying Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement methodologies, including training, coaching, and implementation in operational environments Proven ability to lead, coach, and motivate teams in a fast-paced, evolving environment Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and solve complex operational and training-related issues Skilled in developing standardized work and translating processes into effective training materials, including job breakdown sheets Experience using performance metrics and KPIs to evaluate training effectiveness and drive operational improvements Strong writing and documentation skills, including development of training materials, reports, and standard operating procedures Effective communication and interpersonal skills across multiple levels of the organization Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and/or other digital tools for training delivery and tracking Experience leading cross-functional collaboration and facilitating structured problem-solving Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment Must have working-level proficiency in English, including reading, writing, and speaking 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 of continuous improvement leadership experience in battery, semiconductor, or advanced manufacturing environments Experience designing and deploying structured training programs in highly regulated or technical manufacturing environments (e.g., automotive, aerospace, electronics, battery) Familiarity with Learning Management Systems (LMS) and digital training tools (e.g., Articulate, Adobe Captivate, or similar) Experience using data analysis and reporting to evaluate training effectiveness and drive operational performance improvements Exposure to

ISO 9001, IATF

16949, or other quality management systems Experience supporting new production line ramp-up, product launches, or operational scale-up efforts Bilingual or multilingual capabilities (especially Japanese or Spanish) to support a diverse workforce Demonstrated success leading change management or culture transformation initiatives related to continuous improvement and workforce development Experience developing or implementing blended learning solutions (e.g., e-learning, on-the-job training, simulations)

Physical Demands:

Physical Activities:

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

Sit:

30%

Walk:

30%

Stand:

40%

Required Lifting and Carrying:

Rare (