Process Development and Implementation Senior Manager

Drive your Career!

We love our cars, but it’s the people behind them who make them what they are. To market, sell, and service great cars, we need great people. That’s why at Volkswagen Group Canada, we are passionate about our cars and our brand and foster this same passion and drive in our people. We know that the right people in the right positions can do incredible things, and we love making that happen.

Our mission has started. Volkswagen Group’s largest cell factory in St. Thomas will carry out all battery activities – from processing raw materials to developing a unified Volkswagen battery to managing the European and North American gigafactories. Headquartered in Salzgitter, Germany, we are experiencing the transformation of mobility up close. Our goal is to contribute a positive impact to our global society, the environment and the economy. To reach these goals we need your POWER!

We are looking for a Process Development and Implementation Senior Manager based out of the St. Thomas, Ontario office.

As the Process Development and Implementation Senior Manager, you will be at the forefront of innovation in battery manufacturing, leading the development of cutting-edge processes in Electrode, Assembly, and F&A. Join a team dedicated to excellence and be part of shaping the future of energy storage technology.

Reporting to the Head of Technical Support Functions, The Process Development and Implementation Senior Manager will lead and oversee the strategic planning, development, and implementation of new processes across Electrode, Assembly, and Forming & Aging (F&A) departments in a battery manufacturing facility. This role is responsible for ensuring the successful transition of processes from R&D into full-scale production while driving continuous improvement and ensuring high standards of quality, efficiency, and scalability. The Senior Manager will lead cross-functional teams, managing both the development and the implementation phases of new technologies and processes, ensuring alignment with the company's production goals.

This is a full time, in-person position located in the St. Thomas office.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and manage process development teams across Electrode Manufacturing, Assembly, and F&A.
• Set clear performance objectives for each team, ensuring alignment with organizational production and quality goals. Mentor and develop team members.
• Oversee the development, optimization, and scaling of electrode, assembly, and F&A processes, ensuring production efficiency, product quality, and cost-effectiveness.
• Collaborate with R&D to transition new technologies and processes from pilot stages to full-scale production, ensuring a smooth integration.
• Work closely with R&D, production, maintenance, and quality teams to troubleshoot process issues and implement corrective actions.
• Act as the liaison between the Process Development department and production teams to ensure a seamless transfer of processes and technology to full-scale operations.
• Collaborate with external suppliers and vendors to evaluate new equipment and technologies for process improvements.
• Lead process development and implementation projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and meet all performance objectives.
• Manage resources, timelines, and project scope to ensure that development and implementation projects are delivered effectively.
• Regularly report on project status, key performance metrics, and process implementation progress to senior leadership.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives targeting process efficiency, product quality, and reduction of waste in the manufacturing processes.
• Monitor and analyze key metrics such as throughput, yield, defect rates, and cycle times, and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Lead and manage multiple process development projects, including equipment installations, technology trials, and process scaling efforts.
• Ensure all projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet desired performance outcomes.
• Report on project progress, key metrics, and process development updates to senior management regularly.
• Ensure that all electrode, assembly, and F&A processes comply with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Conduct regular safety audits and ensure team members are properly trained on safety protocols and equipment use. Promote a culture of safety and environmental stewardship.
  
  

Desired Skills

• Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Material Science, Industrial Engineering or a related technical field.
• Years of Relevant Experience Required: 7+
• Years of Supervisory Experience Required: 5+
• Strong understanding of the assembly manufacturing process.
• Familiarity with analytical software and programming languages (e.g. JMP, Minitab, MATLAB, Python etc.)
• Ability to follow through and make significant progress in a fast pace, dynamic environment.
• Experience in initial phase of a battery cell production plant would be considered an asset.
• 6 sigma green belt certificate will be plus
• Integrity and value-driven working style, complaint to rules and regulation.
• Adaptable to international teams with cross-cultural communication skills.
• Experience in process development, optimization, and scale-up from pilot to full production is a plus.
• Knowledge of safety standards and environmental regulations related to chemical processes, battery manufacturing, and high-tech production environments.
• Proven experience in leading process engineering teams.
• Strong understanding of assembly manufacturing processes and quality standards in battery production.
• Familiarity with statistical process control (SPC), lean manufacturing, and Six Sigma methodologies.
• German language skills are considered an asset.
  
  

What you’ll get in return: 

• A flexible and collaborative team dynamic 
• Opportunities for development 
• Opportunities to participate in exciting company events that give back to the community. 
• Competitive employer paid benefits and overall compensation package 
• And much more! 
• Please note that we appreciate the interest of all candidates, however only those under consideration will be contacted.
  
  

Volkswagen Group Canada Inc. is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, family status, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, or local laws.

Volkswagen Group Canada Inc. is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities including during the application process. If you require an accommodation because of a disability, we will work with you to determine what reasonable accommodation may be available to meet your needs whether it be as an applicant or an employee. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance. If you are selected for an interview and require an accommodation, you are encouraged to advise the Recruiter who will consult with you to determine an appropriate and reasonable accommodation. rid