HR Business Partner 1

Overview

Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as an HR Business Partner I? 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

HR Business Partner I

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Meet the Recruiter: Perry Golden

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 Human Resources Business Partner 1 (HRBP 1) supports employees and leaders by executing core HR processes, providing HR guidance, maintaining data integrity, and ensuring consistent application of policies and practices. As a trusted and approachable HR partner, this role helps deliver a positive employee experience, supports workforce engagement, and develops expertise in employee relations, compliance, and HR operations. The HRBP 1 typically supports 300-350 employees and frontline leaders while contributing to business success through responsive service, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Essential Duties:

Functional Operations:

• Provide front-line HR support regarding policies, procedures, benefits, payroll, timekeeping, leave administration, and other employment-related processes
• Maintain accurate employee records, HRIS transactions, personnel files, and documentation while ensuring data integrity and compliance
• Process routine HR transactions including employee transfers, status changes, compensation actions, and separations
• Support onboarding activities, including I-9 verification, employment documentation, orientation coordination, and new hire integration
• Create and initiate hiring requisitions in partnership with hiring managers and Talent Acquisition
• Monitor HR service requests, respond to routine employee and leader inquiries, and escalate complex matters as appropriate
• Provide scheduled coverage for the HR Connect Desk and serve as a first point of contact for employee and manager inquiries.

Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement:

• Gather, track, and maintain workforce information including attendance, turnover, training completion, and other HR metrics
• Prepare reports and data to support monthly business reviews and operational reporting
• Identify routine process improvement opportunities and recommend practical solutions to improve service delivery, compliance, or employee experience.
• Participate in HR projects and continuous improvement initiatives by completing assigned deliverables accurately and on time.

Training & Team Support:

• Coordinate training administration activities and monitor training completion requirements
• Support leaders and employees by communicating HR processes, programs, and policy updates
• Assist managers with attendance management processes, documentation preparation, corrective action administration, and follow-up activities

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication:

• Participate in Gemba walks, roundtables, stand-up meetings, and employee engagement activities
• Maintain a visible and approachable HR presence while building effective working relationships with employees and frontline leaders.
• Gather employee feedback and communicate trends or concerns to HR leadership.
• Conduct basic employee relations intakes, document concerns, and escalate issues appropriately.
• Conduct routine floor presence activities to identify employee concerns, answer questions, and support workforce engagement.
• Support communication and implementation of HR initiatives within assigned business areas.

Quality, Safety, & Compliance:

• Maintain personnel files and HR documentation in accordance with company policies and legal requirements
• Assist with I-9 compliance activities, audits, and employment verification requirements
• Support compliance-related reporting, tracking, and documentation requirements for HR and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)
• Protect confidential employee information and maintain appropriate discretion when handling sensitive matters

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 Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field
• Related fields may include Psychology, Sociology, Communications, Finance, Economics, Operations, Industrial Relations, Organizational Development, or other business or behavioral science disciplines.
• Relevant experience may substitute for required education

Preferred:

• SHRM-CP, PHR, or other HR certification coursework in progress
• Exposure to employment law, labor relations, workforce planning, or employee relations concepts through coursework, internships, or work experience

Essential Qualifications:

• 0-2 years of Human Resources, business, operations, employee relations, or related professional experience
• Foundational understanding of HR policies, procedures, and employment practices
• Ability to build effective working relationships with employees and frontline leaders
• Strong customer service, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment
• Basic Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to learn HR systems, processes, and business operations quickly
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and professional growth
• Strong attention to detail, organizational , and time management skills.
• Must have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking English

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2+ years of Human Resources experience obtained through internships, co-ops, or entry-level HR roles
• Experience supporting employees in manufacturing, production, distribution, logistics, or industrial environments
• Experience using HRIS systems such as Workday
• Exposure to employee relations, onboarding, workforce analytics, or compliance activities
• Experience in high-volume battery manufacturing or a related industrial environment such as electronics, automotive, or energy storage

Physical Demands:

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

• Sit: 60%
• Walk: 30%
• Stand: 10%

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.: Occasional
• Up to 20 lbs.: Rare
• Up to 35 lbs.: Rare
• 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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