Equipment Specialist Supervisor

Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Put your skills to meaningful use, gain unique experience, and work with world-class team members who share the same vision. Join the PECNA team at Panasonic Energy as we expand to De Soto, Kansas, 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 and sustainable transportation.

About the role

The Equipment Specialist Supervisor leads a team of Equipment Specialists in support of equipment reliability, defect reduction, productivity improvement, and safe manufacturing operations. This role provides frontline leadership through workforce planning, employee development, performance management, and operational execution while ensuring alignment with departmental and organizational objectives. The position combines technical knowledge with strong leadership capabilities to develop team performance, improve operational effectiveness, and support business growth.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct leadership, guidance, and support to Equipment Specialists.
• Establish daily priorities and allocate resources to support equipment reliability, productivity, and operational objectives.
• Monitor team performance, work quality, and execution to ensure achievement of departmental goals.
• Manage workforce scheduling, staff coverage, attendance, and workload balancing.
• Remove barriers impacting team performance and escalate issues requiring additional support.
• Ensure equipment recovery, operational readiness, and manufacturing continuity.
• Monitor and communicate key performance indicators (KPIs), taking corrective action as needed.
• Ensure timely completion of assigned projects, corrective actions, and improvement initiatives.
• Provide leadership during equipment-related escalations and support resolution of critical operational issues.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, equipment reliability, productivity, and cost reduction.
• Partner with engineering, production, maintenance, and quality teams to identify improvement opportunities.
• Review root cause investigations and corrective action plans for effectiveness and sustainability.
• Utilize operational, maintenance, and equipment performance data to identify trends and opportunities.
• Support implementation of new equipment, technologies, processes, and operational initiatives.
• Promote PDCA, Root Cause Analysis, Lean Manufacturing, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Lead employee performance management, including goal setting, coaching, and development planning.
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings to support employee engagement and performance improvement.
• Develop succession plans and strengthen technical and leadership capability within the team.
• Oversee onboarding, training, qualification, certification, and skill development activities.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusion, continuous learning, and operational excellence.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to support business objectives and manufacturing performance.
• Communicate departmental priorities, risks, resource needs, and operational performance to stakeholders.
• Participate in operational reviews, production meetings, and leadership discussions.
• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture through leadership and adherence to policies.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, safety, quality, and operational requirements.
• Lead or support investigations related to safety incidents, quality concerns, and equipment failures.
• Ensure compliance with lockout/tagout requirements and safe work practices.
• Monitor workplace risks and implement corrective actions to mitigate concerns.
• Provide direct supervision to Equipment Specialists, including work assignment and performance management.
• Conduct performance evaluations and support employee career development planning.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, disciplinary actions, and workforce planning.

Requirements

• Associate degree in Electronic Technology, Mechatronics, Industrial Maintenance, Manufacturing Technology, Engineering Technology, Business Management, or a related field. Relevant experience may substitute for required education.
• 3+ years of progressive leadership experience or 2+ years as a PECNA Equipment Specialist III.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical, maintenance, manufacturing, or operational teams.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, equipment reliability, and troubleshooting methodologies.
• Experience utilizing operational metrics, KPIs, and performance data to drive decision-making.
• Working knowledge of PDCA, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ability to prioritize resources, manage competing operational demands, and drive execution.
• Strong conflict resolution, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across multiple departments and organizational levels.
• Strong verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office applications, MES, Tableau, and other manufacturing support systems.
• Ability to analyze operational and performance data and translate findings into actionable plans.
• Working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking.
• Alignment to Panasonic’s seven core principles: contribution to society, fairness and honesty, cooperation and team spirit, untiring effort for improvement, courtesy and humility, adaptability, gratitude.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering Technology, Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Technology, Engineering, Business Management, or a related field.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or higher certification.
• Leadership development training or supervisory certification.
• Advanced Root Cause Analysis training.
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing or technical operations.
• Experience supporting highly automated manufacturing environments.
• Strong knowledge of PLC-controlled equipment, automation systems, and manufacturing technologies.
• Demonstrated success leading organizational change, workforce development, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Physical Demands

• Physical activities during the workday:
  • Sit: 30%
  • Walk: 30%
  • Stand: 40%
• Required lifting and carrying frequency:
  • Up to 10 lbs.: Frequent (34-66%)
  • Up to 20 lbs.: Frequent (34-66%)
  • Up to 35 lbs.: Occasional (1-33%)
  • Team-lift only (over 35 lbs.): Occasional (1-33%)
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) may include: full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, bump cap, and full hazmat suit with respirator.

Benefits

• Health Benefits: 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.

Limited travel may be required for training, benchmarking activities, business meetings, or support of operational initiatives.