Project Manager - Battery Manufacturing Equipment - Forge Nano

Project Manager – Battery Manufacturing Equipment

Forge Nano Inc. is a fast-growing materials company with a focus on manufacturing nano-scale coatings across a wide range of markets and is now expanding into Battery Manufacturing. Forge Nano is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Project Manager – Battery Manufacturing Equipment to oversee the development and implementation of lithium battery equipment projects. This position will report into / support the Advanced Manufacturing Engineering team, ultimately enabling Forge Nano brand to be recognized for the Highest Quality Batteries made in USA.  As a Project Manager, you will be leading cross-functional teams, coordinating project activities, and ensuring the successful execution of lithium battery equipment projects from initiation to completion. Your expertise in project management within the battery industry, will be crucial in driving efficiency, maintaining quality standards, and delivering projects on time and within budget. 

SKILLS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Project Planning:  Through collaboration with vendors and cross-functional teams, drive successful project outcomes including:
• Develop comprehensive project plans, including Risks & Mitigation activities
• Define project scope, goals, and deliverables to execute engineering and customer objectives against project performance targets
• Develop and manage project budgets, tracking expenses and ensuring efficient resource allocation.
• Create project timelines, milestones, resource allocation plans,
• Team Leadership:
• Leads and motivates cross-functional project teams,
• Ensures effective collaboration and communication amongst team members, provide guidance and support as needed
• Collaborates resolving obstacles, able to balance priorities
• Makes sound / timely judgments in an ambiguous environment, identifies & mitigates risks
• Escalates appropriately when help is needed to timely resolve challenges or conflicts.
• Deliverables Management:
• Collaborate with stakeholders to secure necessary resources and equipment for project execution.
• Familiar with engineering drawings to understand manufacturing required for equipment fabrication, commissioning, and validation.
• Create and implement innovative solutions that will deliver world class KPI targets including safety, quality, productivity, cycle time, and cost.
• Work closely with Purchasing/Finance to manage / track scheduled payments, and all change cost impacts against the approved CapEx budget.
• Planning / integration management of activities including purchasing MRO supplies / spare parts, hiring contractors, validating / shipping / commissioning of equipment & tools, ensuring that all materials are on time in the correct quantities for validation / testing / SOP, and meet our quality standards for battery production.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
• Foster strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Communicates clearly and appropriately including globally diverse audiences where language challenges may exist,
• Manages expectations, addresses concerns or issues that arise during project implementation,
• Applies technical and behavioral competencies in order to deliver high-impact business results.
• Understands the development of equipment, communicating with clients / vendors, reviewing designs / controls, coordinating with engineering and site readiness plans.
• Quality Control:
• Establish and enforce safety / quality control standards throughout the project lifecycle.
• Conduct regular inspections and audits to ensure compliance with safety regulations, industry standards, and customer requirements. 
• Apply basic APQP principles, to assure our equipment meets specifications.
• Project Monitoring and Reporting: Monitor project progress, track key performance indicators (KPIs), and generate timely reports to stakeholders. Provide regular updates on project status, risks (mitigation activities), and deviations from the plan. Prioritize work, delegating tasks and responsibilities. Conduct regular meetings with manufacturing staff / vendors to:
• ensure that deadlines are met and work is progressing steadily (deliverables on time / project within budget)
• detailed tracking / reporting / forecasting of changes and the impacts on time / cost
• discuss production schedules and resolve challenges that arise
• document / maintain the roadmap status from equipment kickoff through ramp up to full capacity / sign-off
• Continuous Improvement:
• Identifies, organizes and oversees areas for process improvement and integrates best practices to enhance project management methodologies.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing within the project team.
• Assure a 3P Lean footprint integration of manufacturing processes and flows exists and communicates with staff to determine possible design changes to improve efficiency or manufacturability.

EXPERIENCE / EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: A Bachelor's degree in engineering, manufacturing or business related fields.  Master's degree or beyond is a plus.
• Certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent OJT is desirable.
• Experience:  5 years in Project Management, with 2-3 years relevant manufacturing process / equipment experience in Battery manufacturing including cylindrical and/or pouch style battery electrodes, cell assembly & testing.  Module and Pack manufacturing in an Automotive working environment experience is a plus.
• Knowledge:  Strong understanding of Cell manufacturing equipment (ideally Lithium Batteries) and the necessary APQP skills to effectively manage projects, with a track record of successfully managing multiple projects with demonstrated results
• Project management skills:  Proven track record of adhering to timelines and budgets. Proficient in project management tools, and software
• Leadership and Communication:  Excellent leadership and team management skills. Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholders at various levels. Results oriented, positive “Can Do” attitude, fostering a “Blameless Learning Environment”
• Problem-Solving: Ability to anticipate and mitigate project risks and effectively resolve issues as they arise. Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills. Exposure to Lean Manufacturing Process Improvement methodologies, and knowledge of basic engineering techniques (6Sigma, Shainin) to optimize manufacturing processes.
• Organizational Skills: Exceptional organizational and time management skills to prioritize tasks and meet project deadlines.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work will be in an office or manufacturing environment.  A balance of remote and onsite work is expected, as dictated by the needs of the work required.  The employee will be required to wear appropriate safety PPE including but not limited to eye protection, gloves, steel toe shoes, lab coat, and a hard hat. Strict adherence to corporate and/or plant policies, rules and regulations in these areas is required. Forge Nano follows all recommended COVID-19 safety protocols and accepted candidates must be willing to adhere to these policies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee occasionally will work near moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is moderate. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear (communicate). The employee may be required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

TRAVEL

Frequent travel (25% to 50%) may be required. International travel to Asia/Europe will be necessary and occasionally for extended time durations.  Therefore, all candidates must currently possess a non-expired passport.

Compensation/Benefits

130K – 155K depending on experience

Medical/dental/vision/disability and life insurance, holidays, PTO, Flexible Spending Account, and 401(k) plan with company match.  Additional voluntary benefits.

Forge Nano is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.