Production Manager

The Asahi Kasei Group operates with a commitment of creating for tomorrow.  Our business sectors, Material, Homes, and Health Care, contribute to the development of society by anticipating the changing needs of those around the world. We look for candidates that offer a fresh perspective and a variety of skills to help us achieve our commitment.

We are currently seeking applications to fill the following job opening at Celgard where we develop and manufacture membrane battery separators that are critical components used in lithium-ion batteries for electric drive vehicles (EDVs) and energy storage systems (ESS).

Company:

Celgard, LLC

Job Description:

Production Manager

Celgard – Charlotte, NC

About Us

For more than 50 years, Celgard has been a proven global leader in the development and production of high-performance membrane technology.  Our products are used in a broad range of energy storage and other barrier-type applications, including lithium-ion batteries, lithium primary and other specialty battery solutions, technical textiles such as waterproof breathable apparel and medical personal protective equipment (PPE) and other specialty applications.  Headquartered in the United States, we operate manufacturing facilities in the USA and China and have sales and technical service staff located strategically throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. 

Celgard is part of Polypore International, a leading global high technology company specializing in microporous membranes. Polypore brings advanced development and manufacturing know-how as well as unique problem-solving capabilities to customers' lithium-ion and lead-acid battery development teams. Polypore is an Asahi Kasei Group company, which is a diversified group of companies led by holding company Asahi Kasei Corp., with operations in the material, homes, and health care business sectors.  We are creating for tomorrow!

About the Role

We are seeking a Production Manager to join our Operations team in Charlotte, NC. This individual will lead the Production team through the startup and operational ramp-up of our new coating and finishing lines.

Reporting Relationships

This position directly reports to the Plant Manager and supervises Production Supervisors, Production Engineering personnel and Production Training personnel.

Asahi Kasei’s Values

• Sincerity – Being sincere with everyone
• Challenge – Bolding taking challenges, continually seeking change
• Creativity – Creating new value through unity and synergy

Key Accountabilities

• Work safely and ensure safety considerations are paramount in any work outputs that he/she may influence.

• Ensure safety, environmental policies and procedures are followed

• Develop effective measures to implement action to achieve established strategic goals across all production departments and shifts

• Recruit, train, and lead a high-performing production team capable of sustaining safe, efficient, and high-quality operations.

• Promote culture of continuous improvement and effective problem solving

• Challenge status quo by developing and recommending modifications to existing processes and methodologies with a constant focus on continuous improvement and cost reduction

• Drive Lean Manufacturing initiatives including 5S, waste elimination, and value stream optimization.

• Coordinate Production with Sales & Operations Planning team – setting production plans/priorities to achieve business objectives

• Ensure all resources and equipment are used efficiently and maintained

• Monitor technician certification and progression in line with overall organizational direction

• Collaborate across functional groups – Environmental Safety & Health, Process and Project Engineering, Warehouse, Maintenance, and Quality to effectively plan and troubleshoot operation related issues

• Participate in root-cause analysis for any customer complaints as required

• Provide individual feedback to technicians and supervisors along with appropriate communications with all production teams. Resolve personnel issues by analyzing data, investigating, identifying solutions, and recommending action 

• Manage, coach, and develop staff; work with direct reports to set goals in development, performance, and career planning

• Plan, recommend, and justify annual operating budgets and financial targets in accordance with known operational needs, strategies, and objectives

• Disciplined operation of all equipment and processes consistent with standard operating procedures and standard operating conditions

• Provide written and oral reports as required

Qualifications

Education Background:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required.

Knowledge & Experience: 

• Must possess at least 7 years of professional manufacturing experience and at least 3 years in a production or plant leadership role with direct reports
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing individual talent and people leaders required.
• Proven ability to build and work well within teams, mentor others, with a data driven management style
• Experience with Six Sigma, TPM, TPS or equivalent preferred
• Self-driven work ethic with high performance expectation
• Strong problem-solving skills and experience with typical Continuous Improvement problem solving tools required. (ie: fishbone, 5 why, process flow map)
• Ability to analyze data to determine solutions and improvement opportunities required. 
• A change agent who generates urgency and meets high safety and quality standards while effectively motivating team members to achieve results

Key Attributes:

• Ability to support a 24-7 process and answer calls on nights and weekends as needed.
• Ability to flex schedule to support night shift as needed.
• Must be able to communicate with all levels of the organization
• Able to maintain confidential information
• Proficient computer skills to include Microsoft Office
• Can work on a high performing team creating an environment where open and honest communication is the norm
• Ability to build effective workplace relationships, motivating employees, and supporting employee development
• Know how to evaluate the team effectiveness, and how to improve the team’s performance
• Must be able to deal with conflict productively, bringing forth issues that need to be discussed and work to forge a mutually beneficial outcome.

Travel:

• Required travel up to 10% for domestically and abroad for training and visiting other company locations

Working Environment

This position is in a manufacturing plant setting that would require working in a production environment around chemicals.  Work will require standing and walking for up to 80% of the time.  Lighting and temperature are adequate.  You may be required to lift up to 35 pounds and/or force necessary to push, pull, or otherwise move objects.

Celgard manufacturing sites are IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 certified.

Location Information

Charlotte, NC, known as the Queen City, is a thriving metropolitan area of over 2.6 million people across 15 counties and is situated just north of the South Carolina border, within a weekend drive to the mountains and the beach.  It is comprised of diversity in people, industries and living, from urban to rural.  It is ranked second among 25 largest cities for most desirable place to purchase a home by Nerdwallet.com and is ranked eight among the top 10 big booming cities by CNNmoney.com.  Charlotte is home of one of North Carolina’s largest college campuses, UNC Charlotte.  Along with a friendly southern culture, Charlotte offers dining, arts, museums, major league basketball, football and soccer teams, a minor league baseball team, NASCAR, shopping, festivals, a variety of amenities and quick access to several parks and reserves for people who love the outdoors.

#LI-MN1

As an equal opportunity employer, Asahi Kasei believes a diverse workforce will provide us with the ability to continuously support the changes in the economy, society, and environment.