Plant Manager

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

About the Role

We are seeking a Plant Manager to be a part of a new plant start-up based in Port Colborne, Ontario, CA. The Plant Manager is responsible for setting direction that will drive operational performance efficiency and effectiveness for the manufacturing location. This includes setting and implementing strategies that drive overall improvements in environmental safety and health (EHS) compliance, product quality, productivity (cost structure), asset utilization, improved work processes, waste reduction and minimizing variation throughout the business.

Reporting Relationships

This position directly reports to the SVP of Integrated Supply Chain and will hire and supervise the ES&H Manager, Plant Engineering Manager, Process Engineering Manager, Production Manager, Warehouse Manager and plant administrative assistant.

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

• Provide leadership in driving and sustaining a “Zero Harm” work environment
• Build team from the ground up for new plant operations in line with the cultural attributes of Asahi Kasei
• Establish and manage operational objectives, key performance indicators, and standardize business processes and metrics across the global operations
• Establish an annual productivity plan; track and build contingency plans to meet financial and operational commitments
• Set and monitor the performance of the plant against standards and targets in areas such as manufacturing and administration efficiency, cost control, sales revenue, legal compliance, and human resource management
• Responsible for maintenance, manufacturing, quality control, engineering, supply and logistics
• Develop annual plant operating budget consistent with business strategy
• Develop, implement, and monitor annual capital plans
• Promote a culture of commitment to continuous improvement of plant processes to positively affect operational manufacturing cost, product quality, and process variability
• Ensures general practices are consistent with company policies, environmental and safety standards, service standards and applicable laws and regulation
• Drive the development of employee capability and potential
• Provide meaningful feedback and communication to employees on a consistent basis
• Promote a culture of empowerment and recognition to all levels of the plant team
• Demonstrate high energy level with sense of urgency and bias for action
• Set high level of expectations and drive accountability at all levels within the plant
• Understands local perspective and proactively finds ways create positive company brand across the community
• Other tasks may be added according to future operation

Qualifications

Education Background:

• Bachelor’s degree is required. B.S. Mechanical or Chemical Engineering or equivalent technical degree is strongly preferred. Master’s degree is preferred.

Knowledge & Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of progressively increasing responsibility in manufacturing management with 5 years in a senior level production or plant management role is required
• Previous green field experience, conception to production, is required
• Must have proven track record of quantitative operational results with demonstrated ability to (1) exceed productivity and product quality goals, (2) motivate the work force, (3) develop strong functional leaders, and (4) manage manufacturing operations ethically and profitably
• Must possess previous experience in a continuous improvement environment
• Must have experience managing both engineering and production talent as well as manufacturing support functions
• Comprehensive knowledge and successful experience driving lean manufacturing, kaizen, and six sigma methodologies
• Coating manufacturing experience is preferred
• Must possess strong understanding of financial principles, manufacturing cost controls, inventory management techniques, budgeting, supply chain operations, and maintenance operations
• Japanese language skills are preferred

Travel:

Must be able and willing to travel up to 15% 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

The 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.

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 industries 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.