Process Engineering Leader

The Asahi Kasei Group operates with a commitment of creating for tomorrow. Our business sectors, Materials, Homes, and Health Care, contribute to the development of society by anticipating the changing needs of those around the world. We look for candidates that offer a fresh perspective and a variety of skills to help us achieve our commitment.

Asahi Kasei is a long-trusted supplier of lithium-ion battery separators - polymer-based microporous membranes that are a key component of the lithium batteries used to power electric vehicles, renewable energy storage systems, and more. We are currently seeking applications to fill the following job opening at Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Canada, where we are in the process of constructing a new lithium battery separator manufacturing facility to support increasing North American demand.

Company:
Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Canada Corporation

Job Description:

About the Role

We are seeking a Process Engineering Leader to be a part of a new plant start-up based in Port Colborne, Ontario. This role shares responsibility in establishing the manufacturing process design for the plant, and once established, driving continuous improvement initiatives. The incumbent will collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality products while maintaining compliance with industry standards.

Reporting Relationships

This position initially will report to the Sr. Director of Operations and does not supervise others at this time. The Process Engineering Leader will eventually build a team of process engineers to support the plant.

Asahi Kasei Values

• Sincerity - Being sincere with everyone
• Challenge - Bolding taking challenges, continually seeking change
• Creativity - Creating new value through unity and synergy

Key Accountabilities

• Manage the process engineering team; the incumbent will eventually build a process engineering team.
• Design, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes.
• Responsible for reporting area budget for Process Engineering.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and cost reduction.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant industry standards and regulations.
• Collaborate with other engineers and professionals to design new production equipment.
• Prepare technical documentation and reports related to the process design.
• Test the designed processes and make necessary adjustments.
• Provide technical support and training for staff.
• Ensure disciplined operation of all equipment and processes consistent with standard operating procedures and standard operating conditions.
• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators to drive process improvements.
• Promote culture of continuous improvement and effective problem solving.
• Monitor engineering technician certification and progression in line with overall organizational direction.
• Participation and managing root cause investigations to identify and mitigate systemic issues impacting productivity, quality and safety of the process.
• Facilitate cross functional effectiveness for planning and troubleshooting with other functions.
• Challenge status quo by developing and recommending modifications to existing processes and methodologies with a constant focus on continuous improvement and cost reduction.
• Provide written and oral reports as required.
• Provide individual feedback to engineers and technicians along with appropriate communications; resolve issues by analyzing data, investigating, identifying solutions, and recommending action.
• Maintain a positive work atmosphere and oversee the on-going development of the Process Engineering department staff.
• Participate in employee performance management (goal setting, performance expectations and standards, performance reviews, on-going feedback, pro-active coaching, development planning, and corrective action); develop and maintain a sustainable system for the training, evaluation, and development of process engineering staff.
• Direct, maintain, and enforce the safety program for the process engineering departments; review safety records to uphold standards of maximum safety for all department staff and employees.

Qualifications

Education Background:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering is required; Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering degree is preferred; Master's degree is a plus.
• PMP (Project Management Professional) and P.Eng. (Professional Engineer) certifications are preferred.

Knowledge & Experience:

• 7+ years of relevant manufacturing process design and relevant engineering experience with demonstrated success in fast paced and dynamic environment is required; must have 3+ years of experience leading a team.
• Strong technical skills with emphasis on manufacturing processes and improvement methodologies is required.
• Experience with Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing/JIT, Kaizen, Kanban, 5S, and Poke Yoke techniques is required.
• Prior experience with capital projects and automation are strongly preferred.
• Previous greenfield / startup experienced is preferred.
• Experience with plastic extrusion equipment, web handling equipment, and rotation equipment is preferred.
• Experience in ISO 9000 or similar quality system is preferred.
• Must be experienced with execution of multiple projects and people/team leadership.
• Must be proficient computer skills to include Microsoft Office; experience with AutoCAD, CMMS, process simulation software, ERP systems, and data analytics tools is strongly preferred.
• Experience working for a global organization with cross cultural interaction is strongly preferred.

Key Attributes:

• Must possess ability to work collaboratively across departments.
• Must possess well-developed communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills with ability to effectively communicate with all levels of the organization.
• Must possess strengths in collaboration, initiative and attention to detail.
• Must be able to maintain confidential information.
• Must have the ability to work on a high performing team creating an environment where open and honest communication is the norm.
• Must have ability to build effective workplace relationships, motivating employees, and supporting employee development.
• Must know how to evaluate the team effectiveness and how to improve the team's performance.
• Must be able to deal with conflict productively, bringing forth issues that need to be discussed and work to forge a mutually beneficial outcome.

Travel:

• Must be able and willing to travel up to 20% domestically and abroad for training and visiting other company locations.

Schedule:

• Must be able and willing to work a flexible schedule for emergencies and to attend in-person meetings and conference calls outside of normal business hours. The incumbent can flex working hours to accommodate.

Working Environment

This position will be based in a temporary structure on or near a construction site until the permanent office is built in 2026. The final work environment will be at a 24/7 manufacturing operation. This position is in support of manufacturing and requires working in a production environment around chemicals. The manufacturing facility will be a state of the art in terms of automation and being temperature and humidity controlled. This will be a clean and comfortable environment due to the nature of the products being produced.

Work may require standing and walking for up to 80% of the time. Lighting and temperature are controlled and adequate. You may be required to lift up to 35 pounds and/or apply force necessary to push, pull, or otherwise move objects.

This position has been identified as safety sensitive and involves operating heavy equipment and frequent exposure to chemicals and moving mechanical parts in a construction and manufacturing environment.

About Us

Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Canada, an Asahi Kasei Company, is a pioneer in battery technology and a long-trusted supplier of lithium battery separators, which are polymer-based microporous membranes that are key components of lithium-ion batteries (LIB).

The company's Hipore brand of separators have been commercially available since the lithium battery market's inception in the early 1990s and they are found primarily in electric drive vehicles (EDVs) as well as in consumer electronics (CE) such as smartphones, tablets and personal computers. Hipore membrane separators bring high porosity and excellent energy transfer, while contributing to battery safety and reliability and they are especially well matched for the high-capacity batteries required for power plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and full battery (BEV) vehicles.

Asahi Kasei is accelerating its next phase of global growth with proactive investment and capacity expansion in battery separators to meet increasing demand for electric vehicle applications. Expansions have been announced at existing Asahi Kasei LIB separator facilities in the United States, Japan, and South Korea, with start-up scheduled in succession from the first half of fiscal year 2026. Asahi Kasei will continue investing to further build its LIB separator infrastructure for automotive applications to meet growing demand in North America where significant expansion of electric vehicle production is forecasted.

We are now in the early phases of staffing our new greenfield site, in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada, that will have an investment of about 1.57 billion CAD$ to further build its LIB separator infrastructure for automotive applications to meet growing demand in North America where significant expansion of electric vehicle production is forecasted.

The Asahi Kasei Group is a diversified group of companies led by holding company Asahi Kasei Corp., with operations in the material, homes, and health care business sectors. With more than 48,000 employees around the world, the Asahi Kasei Group serves customers in more than 100 countries. We are Creating for Tomorrow!

Location Information

Port Colborne, Ontario is a charming harbour town situated in the Niagara Region on the coast of Lake Erie. The Niagara Region is made up of 12 municipalities and has a population of approximately 478,000. It is an international trade hub with industry ranging from agriculture, construction, manufacturing, technology, tourism, transportation and warehousing. There are two regional airports, easy access to four international airports, railway, and other public transportation. It is home to Brock University, Niagara College Canada, McMaster University, as well as public and private schools that offer a selection of concentrations. The area offers a safe, affordable lifestyle with a hometown community feel. Recreational attractions include Humberstone Speedway, Niagara Falls, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, the Welland Canal, Canada's largest casino, wineries, sporting and entertainment venues for concerts and festivals. Other amenities include the Niagara Heath System, a variety in dining, farmer's markets, ample parks, trails and outdoor activities. Within driving distance, the greater Ontario province offers modern cities and countryside that are rich in culture, history, and natural beauty. It is about a 90-minute drive to Mississauga, Toronto, and Brampton.

The Company is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities in its workplaces. If accommodation is required in the application process, please contact Human Resources at careers@ak-bsc.ca.

Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Canada is an equal opportunity employer that embraces diversity in the workplace and encourages applications from qualified women, men, visible minorities, aboriginal peoples, and persons with disabilities. We are committed to providing accommodations throughout the interview process for needs that are made known in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

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As an equal opportunity employer, Asahi Kasei is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce. Asahi Kasei believes that its diverse workforce strengthens the company's ability to adapt and thrive in a changing world .