Battery Lab Operations Specialist
Team: Technology - Anovion Center of Excellence
Reports To: Director of Cell Materials & Development
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Sanborn, NY
Post Expiration Date: 2/28/2023
Job Summary
Anovion is North America’s premier developer and manufacturer of synthetic graphite anode products for the lithium-ion battery industry. Our facility in Sanborn, NY is home to our pilot scale manufacturing operations, our world class battery materials and prototype cell assembly laboratory and is home to our Technology team. These combined capabilities are known as the Anovion Center of Excellence (ACE), focused on process development, new product development, and the battery and materials characterization laboratory. The ACE capabilities enable Anovion to develop, test, and evaluate all aspects of anode manufacturing from raw materials through the conversion processes, thermal treatments, and finally the relationship to battery performance characteristics.
We seek a Battery Lab Operations Specialist to join our growing Technology team. This person will help develop and oversee the scheduling, supply and other operational aspects of our battery prototyping and testing laboratory. The right candidate will become intimately familiar with all of the different lab operations and resources and be an integral part of the day to day operations of the lab. Maintaining exceptional standards for efficiency, safety, cleanliness, precision and quality of data is key to our team’s mission and this position will have a direct impact on the achievement of these goals and development of the systems used in doing so.
The position reports to our Director of Cell Materials & Development and will work closely with our engineers and scientists as well as our purchasing and EH&S teams. Technical expertise, battery experience and hands-on skills are not required but a technical background is a plus.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Experience:
· Bachelors or Masters Degree in Engineering, Operations, or related field.
· Experience managing production or lab schedules preferred
· Technical project management skills a plus
· Post academic experience of 2+ years in a lab or operations environment preferred
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
Core People Skills. Ability to positively interact and work collaboratively with a diverse group of people at all levels of the organization and across the globe. Genuine with high ethical standards and values, and personal integrity and honesty. Displays humility and adaptability. Ability to apply a large measure of common sense to a variety of situations.
Communication Skills. Ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, listen and obtain clarification, and respond well to questions. Proficiency in writing clearly and concisely and editing work for spelling and grammar.
Computer/Applications Skills. Proficient MS Office computer skills, especially Excel and Powerpoint.
Core Business Skills. Exceptional prioritization, time management and organizational skills. Highly organized, detail oriented and self-disciplined. Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, judgment and keen attention to detail and accuracy. Ability to exercise sound judgement and discretion in handling of proprietary and confidential information. Ability to work collaboratively within a matrix environment. High level of self-motivation and willingness to identify issues and raise them to technical leadership.
Professional Investment. Demonstrated commitment to own personal professional development and learning.
Essential Functions/Responsibilities
1. Help develop and then manage the battery cell assembly and testing schedules
2. Support the efforts of researchers, engineers and technicians
3. Ensure adherence to lab standards and safety practices
4. Learn and understand logistics of multiple cell assembly and testing processes in order to promote operational effectiveness
5. Coordinate management of materials inventory and supplies
6. Assist with developing lab best practices and documentation including safety, PPE, cleaning, equipment maintenance
7. Work with technical management to understand project priorities and deliverables and work with the engineers and technicians to ensure deliverables are met on time
8. Assist with lab documentation and organization including work instructions, equipment maintenance schedules and data / file storage organization
9. Help set up our existing lab operations in our new facility
10. Install equipment, develop equipment maintenance documentation, calibration procedures and perform routine maintenance of equipment and tools
11. Develop standard operating procedures for battery assembly process steps as well as measurement techniques to ensure / improve quality and repeatability
12. Assist with lean process development efforts utilizing 5s methodology to improve performance & efficiency
13. Assist with technical project management
14. Assist with the preparation and shipping of samples and test articles
15. Accurately complete all documents as required
16. Ensure proper use of equipment and required PPE at all times
17. Adhere to the Anovion Code of Conduct at all times
18. Clearly communicate with your supervisor, with reasonable advanced notice, of any vacation, personal, or family needs that result in time away during working hours19. Actively and positively participate in problem resolution, demonstrating constructive communication, timely response and effective resolution skills. Work effectively within team environments both within your department and across the organization
20. Cooperate and comply fully with all Anovion policies and procedures. Actively support and follow the Anovion Safety Program
21. Participate in company/department meetings, training activities, continuing education programs and other associated activities
22. Perform other tasks as assigned
Physical/Sensory Requirements
The following physical activities described here are representative of those required by a team member to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation, if feasible, will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions of position.
While performing the duties of this job, the team member is constantly required to stand; frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel, kneeling and reach with hands or arms; occasionally required to climb stairs, ladders, scaffolds and power lifts, talk or hear. Team member is required to lift or carry up to 25 pounds occasionally.
Working Environment
While performing the essential responsibilities of this position the team member will work in multiple areas including research and manufacturing environments. The team member may also be exposed to moderate background noise, moderate amounts of airborne graphite dust, presence of natural and artificial light, exposure to work temperatures from ambient to controlled, hard surfaces for standing and walking. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) may be required.