Operations Manager- Manufacturing Technology Scaling USA

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

Basic Job Functions:

• Directs and manages operations in a Pilot Manufacturing Facility for next generation photovoltaic panels.
• Responsible for Operational Safety, Regulatory Compliance, Throughput (Mfg. and Engineering Tests), Equipment Maintenance, Inventory Tracking (WIP, BOM) and Crew Competency.
• Defines and develops operating system for pilot manufacturing to pivot with agility between production and technology development and scaling needs.
• Prepares the line and workforce to ramp to 24x7 operations.
• Communicates effectively with teams translating organizational goals into crew level deliverables; communicates regularly reporting on progress against metrics and constraints.
• Ensures that products and processes are introduced are capable of being manufactured to meet the organization''s objectives.
• Acts as an advisor and coach concerning manufacturing related issues to facilitate teamwork and continuous improvement to management and the workforce.
• Controls the AOP spending within approval budget and other operation-related activities.
• Deploys and provide leadership in continuous improvements and safety initiatives, including leading/participating in global alignment activities.
• Establishes and invests in training and development people/upskills associates, technical competencies and standardize training programs for all plants.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering, business administration, or management discipline (MBA or Master of Engineering a plus).

• 8+ years of manufacturing experience w/ 5+ years of Supervisory experience.

• In lieu of a degree:

• 8+ years in managerial experience in a high-tech manufacturing environment.

• 10+ years of manufacturing experience in a technical field or manufacturing environment.

• Direct experience in one or more areas preferred - PV semiconductor, Vacuum Systems, Sputtering, Vision metrologies, Thermal/Oven processes, Wet chemistry and film coating, Scribe Laser, PV module assembly, general robotics/PLC.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Safety First mentality; proven track record of driving safety culture.
• Proven ability to effectively lead salaried and production associates.
• Proven experience using ERP systems, KPI Dashboards, Statistical Process Control and ISO-Systems.
• Proven ability to train and develop associates.
• Proven Employee Relations Skills and Knowledge of Human Resources Practices.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as experience with cross-functional coordination required.
• Demonstrated record of quality, cycle time and cost improvements using TOC, Lean Manufacturing, and Kaizen concepts.
• Technical competency with proven ability to work with and advise engineers on technical matters.
• Solid knowledge of inventory management and control.
• Knowledge of manufacturing equipment and processes.
• Experience in Structured Problem-Solving Techniques.
• Communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing with all levels of the organization.
• Provides leadership and training to accomplish First Solar goals and objectives.
• Attracts, challenges, and develops people of diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills; Fluent in English.
• Excellent organizational and managerial skills.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Safety & 5S:

• Member of site-safety steering committee; drives and inculcates a strong "safety-first" culture and world class house-keeping standards within plant operations to enable a zero-recordable rate.

• Timely and appropriate resolution of equipment or process safety concerns.

• Work with local EHSS team to ensure all equipment & processes are compliant with local regulatory compliances, ISO & RBA requirements in term of Environment Health and Safety for operation, provide safety leadership to improve safety culture.

• Operations:

• Provide operational leadership to 24/7 shift teams to ensure all tool/process KPI/KPOs are meeting targets (P90).

• Accountable for ISO & RBA -compliance in their area through up-to-date process and equipment documentation and training records.

• Drives the workforce towards a world class environment by applying the 5S methodology and ensuring housekeeping is kept at the highest level of cleanliness and maintained at all times.

• Develops strategy for bottle-neck management in the module operations area that include setting OEE goals (Uptime, Unplanned Downtime, G2G/ MTTR, Yield) and deploying right resources to address chronic issues.

• Initiates or vets' continuous improvement work-streams ensuring they pass through relevant change-management forums.

• Establishes a DMAIC mindset among associates as a way of problem solving and a Kaizen approach to improvement.

• Follows TOC (Theory of Constraints) concepts to resolve bottlenecks as it pertains to daily operations or road-map execution.

• Engineering & Continuous Improvement:

• Participates in global forums, escalates process technology challenges that are a risk to P90 and collaborates on local and global solutions for the same.

• Collaborates with New Process Introduction and Global Technology teams to develop implementation plan for new process or equipment and closes gaps identified during execution.

• People:

• Ensure the team is properly trained and developed through structured plans. Provide coaching and support to the team in dealing with any potential issue.

• Conduct performance appraisal, provide feedback, and create succession plan for key associates.

• Engage, Recognize and Reward associates. Supervises and motivates a team of associates creating a culture of personal Accountability and continuous improvement.

• Other duties as assigned.

• Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:

• This position reports to Manager or Sr. Manager, Manufacturing Technology Scaling.
• This position will have direct reports.

Travel:

• 5%- 10%

Estimated Salary Range:

• $131,200- $187,000 annually

US Physical Requirements:

• Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to 12 hours per day.
• Will climb stairs or steps on a frequent basis.
• Will lift up to 58 pounds on an occasional basis, according to work instruction.
• Will lift up to 37 pounds on a frequent basis.
• Will push or pull up to 50 pounds of force on an occasional basis.
• Will push or pull up to 37 pounds of force on a frequent basis.
• Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.
• 20/40 vision in each eye separately and both eyes (with or without correction), the ability to distinguish between red, yellow, and green and peripheral vision >70 degrees is required.
• May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
• May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
• Must comply with all safety standards and procedures.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including, but not limited to: steel-toed shoes, cut-resistant gloves, jackets, aprons &/or arm guards, safety glasses or goggles, hearing protection & respirators) as 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. 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 and 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.