Job Description

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

Basic Job Functions:

• Sets clear direction for leadership to drive and execute cost roadmap cross-functionally. 
• Uses knowledge of manufacturing to identify gaps and opportunities for cost reduction that enables achieving or exceeding the site cost per watt target.
• Acts as source of truth for cost impact and reporting for new process integration (NPI) and manages the delivery of cost projects from cross functional groups. 
• Champions manufacturing AOP budget detail roll-up for finance team.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business administrator or management discipline (MBA or Master of Engineering a plus).
• 7 – 10 years of experience in production operations, engineering, supply chain, planning, or finance. Must have good understanding of cost modeling and analysis.
• Proven track record of successful cost reduction project implementation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience in accounting/finance, cost accounting, inventory management, or forecasting methodologies preferred. 

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Is able to interact with and influence people at all levels inside the department, across groups, and externally to the company.
• Demonstrates ability to identify problems, develop and implement solutions, work independently and in collaboration with others, and build support for new initiatives and systems.
• Is able to influence and make recommendations for improvement in both technical and management subjects.
• Possesses a strong knowledge of High-Volume Manufacturing (HVM) Processes, Inventory Management, and MRP Principles.
• Possesses excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Is a strategic thinker who can manage long and short-term projects.
• Is able to discern and meet needs of internal and external customers.
• Is able to build and maintain a high-performance, scalable team.
• Possesses a broad range of advanced computer skills—Microsoft Office, specifically Excel, statistics applications, reporting – SAS/Tableau/Power BI, and ERP (SAP and/or Kinaxis Rapid Response a plus).
• Has a strong capability to take on a larger role in the future.
• Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Is capable of formal and informal discussions and presentations at all levels of the business – internal and external.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Analyzes plant cost structure (variable and fixed cost model) and identifies gaps and improvement opportunities for cost reduction. Takes strategy and converts into actionable deliverables to meet the site CpW target.
• Leads cost forum or focus team to establish and control the cost operating system. 
• Owns and drives the plant cost metrics to ensure that all functional groups are spending within the budget and highlights any variances.
• Plans and designs overall plant cost programs and proactively monitors its progress, resolves issues, and initiates appropriate corrective actions. 
• Communicates and builds positive working relationships with cross functional teams to achieve the plant operation objectives.
• Establishes good working relationships with global cost leads, operations, MIS, Supply Chain, and Finance associates to monitor and control operation expenses (CpW impact). 
• Acts a key coordinator for functional group members to roll up AOP budget planning. Works with stakeholders and revises cost strategies to meet the monthly affordable cost targets.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:

• This position reports to the Head of Site Integration.
• This position will have direct reports.

Travel:

• No travel is required.
• 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 Salary Range:

• $94,700 - $135,000, Annually

US 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 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.