Supervisor - Purchasing

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.

Basic Job Functions:

• Supervise team of buyers for all purchasing activities supporting the First Solar Module Manufacturing organization (North America).
• Responsible for assuring Purchase Orders are placed and deliveries are scheduled & maintained to meet production requirements for the Module Manufacturing organization.
• Provides support with alignment, coaching, and talent development for all subordinates.
• Implements and enforces global purchasing processes and procedures.
• Supports efforts to optimize inventory turns, minimize stock outs, and prevent production disruptions.
• Contributes to the development of Global Purchasing processes and procedures.
• Measures supplier performance metrics
• Responsible for obtaining bids, negotiating price reductions, and placing orders for supplies, materials, services, and equipment.
• Supports the qualification of new suppliers.

Education & Experience:

• 8 years purchasing experience with an associate degree or 5 years purchasing experience with Bachelor's Degree. Experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.
• Has thorough knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures within the Purchasing field
• Knowledge of engineering databases and managing specification changes with suppliers.
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• The candidate must be able to work independently across functions and at multiple levels.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• In depth knowledge of MRP concepts leveraging one or more ERP systems.
• Demonstrated ability to manage suppliers and supplier relationships.
• Broad knowledge of techniques used in negotiating cost reductions along with terms and conditions with suppliers.
• Ability to provide direction to subordinates to ensure actions are aligned with corporate goals, Ability to train, coach and provide guidance to Associates to enable talent development.
• An understanding of internal controls, and audit practices and procedures.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Proficient use of all Microsoft Office suite programs.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Responsible for Supervising assigned Buyers; providing daily direction, as needed, to ensure alignment.
• Responsible for training Assigned Buyers, as well as providing coaching and guidance for talent development.
• Responsible for processing purchase orders according to established guidelines and in a cost-efficient manner.
• Utilizing MRP and other inputs, as well as independent analysis, to determine what items need to be ordered and in what quantity, and place Purchase Orders with approved suppliers to meet manufacturing requirements.
• Identifies potential stock-outs; takes proactive steps to minimize their impact, and effectively communicates and informs necessary organizations.
• Expedite or de-expedite deliveries, as required, by changing scheduled quantities to meet changes in production or requirements, including working with Logistics to schedule and arrange timely and cost-effective deliveries.
• Responsible for successful implementation and sustainment of global purchasing processes and procedures.
• Responsible for the development, management, and tracking of key purchasing metrics.
• Responsible for negotiating pricing for assigned materials and/or services to improve product cost,
• Responsible for resolving payment issues with suppliers to ensure on time payment processing and mitigation of potential credit hold situations.
• Responsible for managing the commercial relationship between First Solar and its key local suppliers.
• Perform on-site audits/visits to potential or current suppliers as necessary.
• May negotiate contractual agreements with defined pricing and terms and conditions for non-strategic materials, goods, and services and/or capital equipment.
• Independently investigates new suppliers for improved price, delivery, and quality.
• Participates in, and may lead, supplier selection, qualification, evaluation, and re-evaluations for new and current suppliers.
• May work with engineering to modify or finalize specifications.
• Maintains effective communications levels and fosters team building.
• Adheres to all First Solar internal processes and procedures, including safety, SOA, ISO9000, SIO14000, and housekeeping standards.
• Adheres to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
• Accountabilities:
• Ensure no downtime of the manufacturing process at First Solar due to purchasing execution.
• Supplier relationships are maintained and improved with excellent communication.
• Product cost and cash flow are positively impacted.
• Cross functional support with other First Solar Module Manufacturing sites
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:

• This position will be responsible for the supervision and oversight of the Buyers supporting the Module Manufacturing operations.
• This is a working manager role

Travel:

• If hiring to a new plant prior to plant start, associate will be required to spend extended time (60-80%) in another plant in either Ohio or Alabama for training until their assigned plan starts equipment installation

Estimated Annual Salary Range:

• $89,000 - 125,000 Annual Salary

US Physical Requirements:

Hybrid Physical Requirements:

• Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift.
• Will climb stairs on an occasional basis.
• Will lift, push, or pull up to 27 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.
• 20/40 vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required.
• Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.
• May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
• May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including but not limited to; steel toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, protective jacket or apron and arm guards).
• All associates working on the production floor may be required to wear a respirator at any given time and thus, the ability to wear a respirator is a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair).

Office Physical Requirements:

All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting. In order to best service our customers, internal and external, all associates must be able to communicate face-to-face and on the phone with or without reasonable accommodation. First Solar is committed to compliance with its obligations under all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, it attempts to reasonably accommodate applicants and employees in accordance with the requirements of the disability discrimination laws. It also invites individuals with disabilities to participate in a good faith, interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made without imposing an undue hardship.

Potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role. All candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully complete a background check band any other tests that may be required.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: First Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.