Sr. Project Manager - ESS (Cell and Pack)

Role Overview

In this pivotal role, you will lead a specialized two-person project management team—comprising yourself as the Senior Manager and a dedicated Project Analyst—to drive the end-to-end execution of battery cell and pack manufacturing programs at the Gotion Manteno facility. You will oversee large-scale capital and production initiatives from concept through high-volume manufacturing, managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects with budgets exceeding $50 million. Serving as the crucial bridge between local operations and global engineering, this position requires strong technical acumen in Li-ion battery systems, mastery of enterprise project management tools, and bilingual fluency in English and Chinese.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Delegation: Direct the workflow of a dedicated Project Analyst, delegating data analysis, schedule tracking, reporting, and administrative project controls to ensure the two-person team operates at maximum efficiency.
• Program & Capital Management: Direct the lifecycle of battery cell and pack programs from planning and engineering through procurement, construction, commissioning, and product launch. Manage simultaneous project budgets explicitly exceeding $50 million.
• Project Controls & Scheduling: Build, maintain, and actively oversee complex, resource-loaded project schedules and work breakdown structures using Microsoft Project or Oracle Primavera P6 .
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Coordinate across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, EHS, and external contractors to ensure alignment on program deliverables, timelines, and costs.
• Technical Validation: Oversee product development and manufacturing validation processes, including DV/PV (Design/Production Validation), APQP, and PPAP for automotive and energy storage customers.
• Global Communication: Serve as the primary liaison between the US-based Manteno site, North American customers, and the headquarters/engineering teams in China. Facilitate technical workshops, executive updates, and RFQ/RFI responses.
• Risk & Supply Chain Mitigation: Partner with logistics and supply chain teams to coordinate long-lead equipment purchases, monitor supplier manufacturing timelines, and proactively mitigate risks to keep project schedules on track.
• On-Site Execution: Oversee equipment integration, staging, commissioning, and facility setup specifically related to cell and pack production lines, ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, and building codes.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Schedule Adherence: Achieve 100% on-time delivery for critical path milestones (e.g., equipment delivery, site commissioning, Start of Production) tracked accurately via enterprise scheduling software (MS Project/P6).
• Budget Variance: Maintain capital and program expenditures strictly within the $50M+ allocated budget parameters.
• Team Output & Efficiency: Successfully manage and develop the dedicated Project Analyst, ensuring accurate and timely delivery of project reports, risk registries, and financial tracking.
• Quality & Validation Pass Rate: Secure first-pass approvals for critical automotive/OEM quality gateways, such as PPAP and DV/PV sign-offs.
• Risk Mitigation Efficiency: Maintain a documented risk registry and ensure zero project delays caused by foreseeable supply chain bottlenecks or lack of cross-functional alignment.
• Safety Compliance: Achieve a zero-incident safety record during the installation and commissioning phases of the cell and pack production lines.

Experience Level & Qualifications

• Industry Experience: Minimum of 5 years of dedicated project or program management experience within the battery, cell, and pack industry (EV or energy storage preferred).
• Financial Scope: Proven track record of successfully leading complex manufacturing, facility, or product development projects with budgets explicitly exceeding $50 million .
• Management Experience: Prior experience leading, mentoring, or directing analysts, coordinators, or junior project staff.
• Software Proficiency: Demonstrated functional proficiency in Microsoft Project or Oracle Primavera P6 for managing complex Gantt charts, resource allocation, and critical path analysis.
• Language Proficiency: Bilingual proficiency in English and Chinese (Mandarin) is highly preferred/required to seamlessly facilitate technical discussions and bridge the US-based team with global counterparts.
• Technical Acumen: Deep understanding of Li-ion battery cell chemistry, pack systems, and manufacturing processes.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Materials) or a related technical discipline.
• Work Setting: Ability and willingness to work 100% on-site at the Manteno, IL gigafactory