Factory Operations Program Manager

Overview:
Panasonic Energy is expanding to De Soto, Kansas, building the world’s largest lithium-ion battery factory. This role is for a Factory Operations Program Manager who will lead a portfolio of factory operations programs and projects to drive strategic initiatives, operational efficiency, and capital expansion in a high-volume manufacturing environment. The Program Manager will oversee interdependent initiatives, provide people leadership to Project Managers and PMO Analysts, and partner with Factory Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain leadership.

The role requires comfort operating in an agile, ambiguous, and fast-paced manufacturing setting, strong judgment, and the ability to balance strategic leadership with execution-focused oversight.

• Meet the Recruiter:
  Eric Laffey
• Lead a portfolio of factory operations programs and projects to achieve on-time, on-budget delivery
• Develop execution plans, resource strategies, and critical path analyses in partnership with Factory Operations and project leadership
• Drive hands-on program execution with focus on schedule adherence, cost control, and operational readiness
• Provide problem-solving support to remove barriers to factory execution
• Define and manage program scope, success criteria, deliverables, budgets, and resource plans
• Create and govern integrated master schedules across engineering, operations, procurement, and construction
• Track and report program KPIs, milestones, and risk/resolution status
• Optimize resource allocation and sequencing to balance capacity, cost, and schedule

• Operate effectively in ambiguous environments by reprioritizing work based on factory needs and business impact
• Design scalable planning, prioritization, execution, and sustainment mechanisms for factory programs
• Provide thought leadership in program and portfolio management and drive adoption of PMO best practices
• Identify and manage interdependencies and align initiatives with strategic objectives and timelines
• Apply insights and lessons learned to refine delivery approaches and PMO practices
• Support long-term planning by aligning program execution with evolving business needs and capital strategy

• Lead, coach, and develop Project Managers and PMO Analysts through performance management and career development
• Foster accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement across teams
• Ensure consistent application of PMO standards, tools, templates, and methodologies
• Promote knowledge sharing to strengthen program delivery maturity

• Build relationships with Factory Operations leaders, distributed teams, and external vendors
• Communicate program status, risks, scope changes, and impacts clearly to stakeholders
• Serve as the primary liaison between program teams and senior leadership with data-driven updates
• Facilitate steering committee meetings, stakeholder reviews, and executive briefings
• Translate complex technical information into clear, actionable communications

• Identify and manage program risks, scope changes, and execution issues with mitigation strategies
• Define, approve, and align project documentation and deliverables with operational expectations
• Ensure program execution complies with company policies, regulatory requirements, and EHS standards
• Maintain governance artifacts and audit readiness
• Reinforce safety, quality, and compliance across all program activities

• Direct supervision of Project Managers and PMO Analysts, including work assignment, performance oversight, training, and safety adherence

• Wearing PPE is required and includes items such as Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, and a respirator where applicable; respirator fit testing may be required

Note:

The foregoing description is not exhaustive and reflects the general nature and level of the job.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Computer Science, or related technical/operations field.…