Assistant to the Head of Planning and Production - (Job Number: ST.000093)

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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.

We are currently looking for an Assistant to the Head of Planning and Production based out of St. Thomas, ON

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 seeking a skilled Assistant to the Head of Planning and Production to join our team at the PowerCo Canada Inc for our battery cell production line in St. Thomas. In this role, you will be responsible for organizational and process-related support for the department manager and the associated managers and teams.

This is a temporary flex hybrid model requiring 2 days in the St. Thomas office, subject to change based on the needs and nature of this project. During certain phases of the build, a full-time onsite presence may be a requirement.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Prepare and coordinate key internal and external meetings on behalf of the Head of VSM1, manage schedules, agenda topics, communication and action plans follow up as required.
• Effectively manage on a timely basis: expenses, calendar & travel management, correspondence, company car / IT concerns, teleconference set-up, appointment booking, translation ad hoc requests, onboarding new direct reports, etc.
• Plan and coordinate approaches to committees and prepare project-specific decisions for relevant committees
• Prepare, follow up, and collate protocols for management and departmental meetings
• Serve as the point of contact for the Head of VSM 1 in their absence
• Support the coordination of divisional manager assignments/projects, including time plans, tracking, and decision implementation
• Monitor and track the cost center budget
• Perform maintenance and publishing on SharePoint
• Work closely together with the Executive Assistant of the COO/CEO
• Interface with all levels of the organizations within Canada as well as with headquarter in Germany, and other global factory locations
• Provide active support to the management level within the department
• Safeguard the interests of the department head, including representing planning and project management issues
• Assist in developing, planning, and conducting workshops on technical and organizational topics, as well as internal and external events relevant to the department
• Participate in projects and manage smaller projects or sub-projects within the division, include plan implementation and task execution
• Support collaboration with global technical teams
• Prepare meeting agendas, presentations and itineraries as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned or as they might pertain to the position
• Work closely with other team members, providing support as required to ensure the smooth operation of the department
• Facilitate collaboration with global technical teams and manage regular departmental communications, including newsletters and organizational changes
• Oversee onboarding for management staffs and support the onboarding process for technical staffs
• Assist in procurement activities: prepare specifications, evaluate service provider offers, support the procurement process, present and obtain budget approvals in committees, and onboard service providers
• Undertake individual or special tasks based on the job holder’s specific knowledge and experience

Desired Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Project Management, or a related field
• 5+ years’ experience of working in large scale production plant with sufficient knowledge of production organization
• Ability to adapt to and maintain flexibility with the juggling of multiple projects
• High degree of discretion and confidentiality required
• Significant experience with multi-tasking, attention to detail, and ability to deal with ambiguity
• Advanced competency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), OneDrive, SharePoint, MS Teams, Concur and SAP
• Demonstrate success in developing strong working relationships across many layers of an organization and across cultural boundaries. Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills building positive relationships, collaborate effectively and resolve conflicts diplomatically
• Proven ability to prioritize, stay organized and maintain professional composure at all times.
• Take initiative, is self-reliant and can work well under minimum supervision
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment, understand and handle last minute changes with professional demeanor and tact.
• Ability to analyze situations and propose solutions to overcome challenges efficiently.
• Proactively identify opportunities to support & improve processes, adding value and contributing to the company ramp-up
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Experience in project management and budgets
• Ability to maintain flexible work hours to account for time zone differences with Europe and/or Asia, when necessary
• Overtime may be required to meet ramp-up deadlines
• Exceptional comprehension and strong written communication skills
• Ability to travel both within Canada/US and internationally up to ~ 10%
• Experience in battery cell manufacturing would be considered a strong asset
• Experience in a busy corporate and/or ramp-up setting is an asset
• German language skill is 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.