Manager, Manufacturing

AESC is looking to add a Manufacturing Manager to our team in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

• Full-Time
• On-site
• Bowling Green, Kentucky

About AESC US LLC

AESC is an exciting, newly created global organization committed to solving the challenges of a sustainable future and becoming the leading supplier of full-value-chain battery solutions. Our lithium-ion batteries can be found in nearly one million electric vehicles worldwide and have a stellar safety record of zero-critical issues. AESC US is leading the way in battery technology. We design and manufacture EV battery technology for various electric vehicles and equipment. We are working hard towards unlocking the full potential of sustainable energy and climate change mitigation. We will continue to build upon our successes and expand into new markets and industries, producing innovative and competitive products and technologies that advance the goal of a zero-carbon emission future. AESC is headquartered in Japan and has battery manufacturing locations in Japan, UK, China, and the U.S.

AESC Mission

Our mission is to solve the challenges for a sustainable future. Together, we can make a meaningful impact.

About the Role

As a key member of AESC US LLC, you will play a crucial role in advancing our mission to lead in full-value-chain battery solutions for a sustainable future. Reporting to the Senior Manager of Operations, you will be responsible for providing leadership to the Manufacturing department. The ideal candidate will partner with the management on key initiatives and will develop, implement, and manage various projects and programs in support of overall business effectiveness.

Your work within the Manufacturing Team will directly impact our strategic goals and contribute to our position as a global leader in battery technology.

• Understand the overall project schedule and develop a detailed hiring plan for Manufacturing team members as well as other key Operations team members in conjunction with the core project team
• Make necessary revisions to the hiring plan to align with the overall project schedule
• Create a master training plan, training requirements and an evaluation system in accordance with the AESC Production way
• Review overall progress of the training activity and its effectiveness and make necessary adjustments to ensure success
• Work with the local and State government officials to develop necessary training requirements and programs
• Oversee daily activities of the team to maximize real-time utilization of resources; interface with Management to achieve smooth coordination to the project schedule and maximization of schedule adherence
• Lead and participate in production equipment buyoff and training activities
• Manage pilot production and reporting KPIs
• Monitor and track equipment uptime. Investigate and implement ways to improve overall equipment uptime. Plan corrective action on downtime issues. Enact contingency plans as needed when troubleshooting is required or to escalate issues
• Ensure Supervisors coordinate technicians’ schedules and manage schedule adherence; analyze and recommend scheduling of personnel and staffing increase or decreases to ensure optimum results
• Conduct staff meetings and positively leads the team to achieve all KPI meetings and institute countermeasures to the top technical issues
• Develop and manage In-House budget. Participate in daily, weekly and monthly KPI meetings and institute countermeasures to the top technical issues
• Review and approve expense reports, P-card purchases and participate in the selection of potential vendors to assist in various manufacturing-related activities
• Maintain a favorable working relationship with all employees to foster and promote a corporative and harmonious work environment. Monitors safety performance and facilitates implementation of action to improve safety performance. Proactively identifies and addresses safety concerns before an accident occurs
• Manage Manufacturing Supervisors, Leaders, and Technicians
• Lead the team to achieve the plant metrics
• Has non-exempt through journey-level exempt subordinates or contractors. Supervise and provide leadership, coaching, guidance, training and staff development; interview and select employees; plan and evaluate employee performance; may recommend merit increases, transfer and promotions; counsel and discipline employees as necessary; recommend termination when appropriate; monitor time and attendance of subordinates and approve timesheets
• Ensure all 5-S standards and requirements are met within the facility
• Define and communicate expectations clearly per the Senior leadership guidelines

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a related discipline
• A minimum of 5 years of experience working in a manufacturing environment involving complex automated equipment
• A minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience, providing leadership, coaching, guidance, and training and contributing to staff development.
• Working knowledge of MS Office products
• Understands and follows all standards of IATF16949 and VDA 6.3 quality standards.
• Understands and follows all standards of ISO14001 environmental standards.

• Knowledge of battery manufacturing, EV manufacturing, or refinery operations
• Proficiency in additional languages beyond English is advantageous.
• Cross-cultural experience.
• Manufacturing environment experience.
• Start-up experience.

Welcome to our state-of-the-art Gigafactory, where you'll have the opportunity to tackle the world's most fascinating challenges alongside exceptionally talented individuals who are driven to make a difference. At AESC, we offer a comprehensive compensation package, including a competitive salary and a rewarding AESC bonus program. In addition, we provide a range of valuable benefits, such as 401(k), and health insurance. We strive to ensure that our employees are well taken care of, enabling them to focus on their work and contribute to our collective mission of changing the world.

• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development.
• Highly automated, clean, safe, and temperature-controlled production environment
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• HSA and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with company match
• Life Insurance (Company-paid and additional voluntary life available)
• Paid Vacation and 14 Paid Holidays
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage (Company Paid)
• Tuition reimbursement

Even if you don't meet every requirement listed, if you believe this role suits you well, we encourage you to apply. Your application gives us the opportunity to learn more about you and explore potential fits within our team.

Following the submission of your application, we are committed to providing timely responses to all applicants, though response times may vary depending on the volume of submissions. If you do not receive an immediate response, please rest assured that this in no way reflects on the quality of your candidacy. Your application will be retained in our files, and we may reach out to you for future roles that align with your skills and interests. As our organization experiences rapid growth, we appreciate your patience in this process. We are actively working each day to enhance our application procedures to ensure a smoother and more efficient experience for all applicants. Thank you for your understanding and enthusiasm for joining our dynamic team.

At AESC, we are committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to all individuals. We participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S Join us in our passion to design, manufacture, and sell high-performance products, contributing to a sustainable and zero-carbon emission future.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
• Ability to read, write, speak, hear; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach and lift with hands and arms frequently throughout the day.
• Required to occasionally lift, push, pull and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally required to lift, push, pull and/or move up to 35 pounds.

The work environment is primarily an automated manufacturing plant with a concrete floor and is characterized by some temperature extremes, moderate noise, and forklift traffic. The individual must be able to perform all essential functions as appropriate on the plant floor, in meetings, and with employees, management, customers and suppliers.

Candidate must perform the essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation efficiently and accurately, and without causing significant safety threat to self or others. The statements made herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive and inclusive list of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required of personnel so classified.

Hiring is contingent upon successful completion of drug screen and background check. AESC US LLC is a drug-free workplace.