SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Salary: USD 165,000 - 208,000 / annual
Sila Nanotechnologies is a next-generation battery materials company on a mission to power the world's transition to clean energy. The company engineers and manufactures breakthrough battery materials that significantly increase energy density while reducing size and weight, enabling smaller, more powerful batteries for consumer devices and electric vehicles.
As Pilot Production Manager, you will lead the execution and reporting of manufacturing operations for Sila's innovative Silicon Anode production lines at the Alameda facility. You will drive operational improvements and support the growth of people, processes, and systems, ensuring on-time delivery of materials to high-profile customers.
Key responsibilities include:
- Operational Leadership & Improvement: Lead and optimize Alameda manufacturing operations, driving discipline and strategic initiatives. Directly oversee projects like Lean implementation and continuous improvement with material flow alignment to company goals.
- Asset Ownership & Reliability: Act as the plant asset owner, managing MOC (Management of Change) processes and partnering with engineering and maintenance to maximize equipment reliability and rapid incident recovery.
- Culture & Workforce Development: Build a safe, high-performing team through structured hiring, training, transparent feedback, and a strong culture of safety, quality, and empowerment.
- Organizational Optimization: Streamline workstreams, troubleshooting methodologies, and operational systems to establish an efficient, scalable, and highly effective production environment.
- Production Planning & Financial Oversight: Partner with supply planning to develop production planning systems and collaborate with Finance to minimize manufacturing variances, report COGS, and monitor inventory levels.
- Goal Alignment & Performance Management: Set clear expectations, allocate responsibilities, track progress against key metrics, and support direct reports in navigating operational roadblocks.
The role requires wearing personal protective equipment (lab coat, gloves, safety glasses, steel-toe shoes), moving long distances between buildings, and spending extended periods stationary. You will operate computers and office equipment in a fixed location.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline (engineering preferred) or equivalent direct operations leadership experience
- Minimum 7 years of industrial work experience, including management of non-exempt personnel
- Strong background in chemical or materials manufacturing with solid grasp of industrial manufacturing operations
- Deep understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles and proven track record of applying them to production processes
- Strong mentoring, coaching, and training skills focused on empowering individuals, developing talent, and driving safe operating behaviors
- Hands-on, solution-oriented approach to diagnosing issues and resolving operational challenges
- Strong communication, listening, and influencing abilities with initiative in leading meetings and driving organizational alignment
