Facilities Fire Systems Manager

• Builds, leads, and develops team of Fire Systems Engineers.
• Oversees, supervises, and manages the coordination and scheduling of fire protection services which includes testing, inspection, maintenance and repairs of systems and equipment to ensure proper functionality and working operations.
• Develops, plans, updates, implements, and monitors the facility’s Fire Management Protocol that addresses facility fire alarm and fire life safety systems.  Facility equipment and systems include, but are not limited to: fire alarm panels, smoke detectors, heat detectors, manual pull stations, horn/strobe components, area speakers, duct smoke detectors, fire dampers, combo smoke/fire dampers, mass notification systems, fire water pumps, fire riser assemblies, dual check detector assemblies, position-indicating valves, sprinklers, kitchen fume hood systems, smoke control doors and grills, and other specialty systems, such as fire suppressant systems and smoke evacuation systems, etc.
• Coordinates with local fire authorities, public agencies, insurance company representatives, and third-party vendors to ensure compliance with the facility’s Fire Management Protocol.
•  Oversees development and maintaining of schedule of preventative maintenance, testing, and repair work for any of the related fire alarm and fire life safety systems.
• Determine code required testing of fire protection systems and frequency of testing.  Assess and determine if any deficiencies need to be taken and corrective action measures.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, codes, rules, regulations, and Panasonic policies, standards, and procedures.
• Consult, coordinate, and communicate with Panasonic’s EHS and other departments for effective and thorough communication and collaboration.  Ensure all stakeholders are properly engaged and understand their roles and responsibilities in fire management and protection of life and property and the schedule for all fire alarm and fire life safety systems testing, inspections, and repairs.
• In coordination with Panasonic EHS department, plan and conduct fire drills to gauge system readiness and preparedness.
• Develop, manage, and update fire safety emergency procedures, fire safety evacuation plans, emergency fire watch procedures, and first responder coordination procedures in coordination with Panasonic EHS, so that occupants know what to do and where to go in the event of an emergency.  Ensure plans are adequate and well-developed for safe and timely evacuations and emergency response.
• Develop, manage, coordinate, and facilitate any training if needed on behalf of the department, for Panasonic personnel.
• Responsible for on-going continued management of third-party vendors (their inspections and repair work) and coordination with Facilities maintenance personnel.
• Provide clear direction, information, and support to various personnel and third-party vendors to make sure they understand their roles, responsibilities, scope of work, and all contract requirements.
•  Supervise staff, consultants, projects, and activities to ensure projects are delivered in a safe, effective, timely, and responsible manner.  Take necessary corrective actions and propose improvements as necessary.
• Inspect, monitor, verify, and review work of consultants, contractors and vendors.  Ensure performance and quality of work is per contract and specified appropriately.
•  Review maintenance contracts for thoroughness and adequacy.  Prepare Request for Proposals (RFPs) for testing, inspection, repair, and maintenance of fire safety systems and assist in reviewing proposals and provide recommendations to Panasonic Procurement.  Assist in bid preparation for projects.  Understanding of bid document requirements, review of contractual language, notices of advertisement, specifications, and plan drawings.
• Identify proper scope of work for various projects and outline proper course of action to complete the project from inception to completion.
• Develop, monitor, and oversee project schedules and budgets.  Undertake calculations, develop tables, charts, and spreadsheets for project and vendor accounting.  Evaluate and review budgets, costs, and expenditures to identify areas of discrepancy or concern not within industry standards.
•  Resolve issues timely and interface with contractors or other professional consultants to resolve disputes through effective communication, negotiation, and contract conformance review.
• Undertake record keeping and project document controls to ensure files are properly provided, updated, retained, and archived.  Such records include but are not limited to:  inspections, assessments, tests, repair work and/or replacement, work orders, certifications, etc.
• Ensure accuracy and maintenance of fire protection drawings and documentation.
• Maintain and manage a facility inventory of the fire-resistance-rated construction, inspections.  Oversee the assessment, any necessary inspections, development of the inventory records, and ensure compliance to maintain appropriate records of the rated systems.  Coordinate with Facilities maintenance staff and other departments to ensure this inventory is completed, updated regularly, and maintained appropriately.
• Assure the timely preparation, maintenance, and distribution of various reports and records as required by federal, state, and local regulations or as required by Panasonic.
• Attend a variety of meetings and participate in company-wide meetings as required.
• Ability to review systems and information to determine best practices, best products, and applications as well as other technologies that may maximize the efficient use of resources.
•  Develop, follow, and implement procedures and best business and engineering practices.
•  Establish and evaluate Panasonic standards for materials, equipment, and systems, as deemed appropriate and necessary, on an on-going basis.
• Dependent upon workload, this position may on occasion be required to assist with other duties related to the department, in addition to primary responsibilities of facility management of systems related to fire protection and fire life safety, under the supervision of the Director or Facilities. 

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 requirement for some roles at PENA 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.

Education:

• Basic/Required:
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, or other facilities-related degree related to area of assignment from an accredited college or university is required; and
• 8+ years of recent experience in relevant areas noted.
• Preferred:
  • *Examples include degrees in Fire Protection Engineering, Fire Science, Fire Protection Technology, and Fire Service Administration.
  • **Examples of engineering fields that are frequently applied to the practice of fire protection include, but are not limited to, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, and Electrical engineering.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a Fire Protection-related discipline* from an accredited college or university, including degrees in engineering fields** that are applied to the practice of fire protection.
• 10+ years of recent experience in relevant areas noted 

Essential Qualifications:

• Specific qualifications:
• Knowledge of building codes, including:  the National Fire Protection Act (NFPA), Life Safety Code (NFPA 101), Kansas Fire Prevention Code, mechanical and electrical codes, and State Building Advisory Commission regulations and bulletins.
• Knowledge of building fire protection standards, system types (fire alarm, dampers, dry/wet, standpipes, deluge, fire hydrants, and fire suppression), sequence of operations, emergency procedures, evacuation plans, emergency fire watch procedures, and first responder coordination procedures.
• Knowledge and experience with public works contracts, bidding process, and applicable laws.
• Ability to conduct job walks, review bidder information and documents, and verify and make recommendations on bid awards.
• Demonstrated experience in managing fire protection systems (i.e., fire alarms, sprinklers, etc.) and maintenance of such systems.
• General qualifications:
• Ability to build, lead, and develop teams.
• Strong project leader with excellent organizational and verbal skills.
• Knowledge of and comfort with Microsoft Office Suite software including Access, Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• Ability and proficiency in collecting, analyzing, and presenting data.
• Solid computer skills and demonstrated general working knowledge of Microsoft Project or equivalent project management software tools.
• Effective planning, organization, time management, and problem-solving skills with a strong attention to detail.
• Able to manage multiple concurrent tasks in a fast-paced environment, effectively prioritize work, and deliver quality results.
• Self-starter who works well independently and an outstanding ability to follow up with minimal direction by seeking answers and a focus on team success.
• Able to make appropriate decisions when confronted with obstacles, think about them before acting, and consistently resolve issues in creative and effective ways.
• A strong work ethic with a “get the job done” approach and consistently delivers excellent customer service, both internally and externally.
• Intuitive, adaptable, creative, and collaborative with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Collaborative nature with strong team-building skills and willing to learn from and accept guidance from others.
• Must have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking English.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience as a Fire Systems Engineer and Fire Systems Manager for a large facility (> 3 million sq. ft.)
• 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 License(s):

·         None

Preferred Certification(s):

• NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS)

Physical Demands: 

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

·         Sit:                                                       40%

·         Walk:                                                   30%

·         Stand:                                                 20%

·         Lift:                                                      10%

Required Lifting and Carrying: (Required frequency is:  Not required (0%), Occasional (1-33%), Frequent (34-66%, Continuous (67-100%)

·         Up to 10 lbs.:                                       Occasional

·         Up to 20 lbs.:                                       Occasional

·         Up to 35 lbs.:                                       Occasional

·         Team-lift only (over 35 lbs.):               Not Required

About Us:

Panasonic Energy of North America (PENA) is collaborating with Tesla at a massive battery factory near Reno, Nevada which is known for its quality of life and expansive outdoor adventures.  Panasonic's role at the Gigafactory is to manufacture and supply cylindrical lithium-ion cells to Tesla for their electric vehicles and energy storage systems.

Over the past few years, the Gigafactory has grown to the largest lithium-ion battery factory in the world.  Together with our partner Tesla, we continue to revolutionize the lithium-ion battery space and accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy and transportation.

Our mission at PENA is to make the vision of affordable Electric Vehicles a reality by producing the world’s safest, high quality, and lowest cost batteries.  Through this effort we will create a clean energy society and our products will change society’s use of and perceptions of electric power.  In addition to an environment that is as innovative as our products, we offer competitive salaries and benefits.

Supplemental Information:

Pre-employment drug testing is required.  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.

Panasonic is an Equal Opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by law.  All qualified individuals are required to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Thank you for your interest in Panasonic Energy of North America.