Global Planner III – New Product Introduction

Our high growth and leadership position in the renewable energy business offers outstanding opportunities to individuals seeking an exciting work environment in one of the most important industries for the 21st century. First Solar is a leader in the development and manufacturing of thin film solar modules used in grid-connected solar power plants, as well as a provider of complete solar generation solutions for U.S. utilities. Our culture is one where teamwork, continuous improvement, achievement of results, and environmental responsibility are core values. We are seeking new associates who are motivated to contribute their talents to making cost-effective solar energy an important part of the world’s energy mix.

Primary Job Functions:

Basic Job Functions:

This person will be responsible for managing New Product Introduction (NPI) activities for the Integrated Supply Chain organization. The candidate is tasked with ensuring all transition activities are communicated, coordinated and completed for all upcoming Finish Good and Material changes. This position is a key driver in ensuring that the Integrated Supply Chain is adequately prepared for implementation of new projects with focus on ensuring on time system set up and inventory availability for operation, while minimizing material obsolescence.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years’ experience in a supply chain function
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a manufacturing environment preferred
• Experience with commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within Supply Chain.
• Experience with MRP concepts and one or more ERP systems (SAP or Oracle preferred).

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain or business related field; OR Associates degree and minimum of 7 years’ experience in a supply chain function
• APICS/ISM Certification preferred

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Ability to work autonomously with little to no supervision
• Ability to manage complicated material planning situations
• Ability to analyze data, recognize critical issues and drive solutions to resolve
• Ability to seek/gather information from cross functional teams
• Demonstrates strong collaboration with peers
• Demonstrates ability to communicate cross functionally and globally
• Strong attention to detail
• Strong mathematical abilities
• Proficient use of all Microsoft Office suite programs
• Proficient in SAP, Oracle and/or other ERP system functionality

Essential Responsibilities:

• Attend all TRT and CMS program meetings as overall GSC Representative
• Track/Document all BOM, consumable and spare parts changes driven by supplier and/or engineering changes and Equipment upgrades.
• Coordinate all product and material changes with all GSC Functional areas to ensure all actions are completed on time as per program schedule.
• Identify program risks and actively pursue options to eliminate or minimize risks
• Provide information and guidance of all supply chain inputs to program teams
• Coordinate with Commodity Managers, Planners, and Buyers to ensure all NPI related materials are on site in alignment with program implementation schedule.
• Communicate with Logistics for advance negotiation and booking of new lanes
• Submit material MDM’s to ensure timely set up of systems for planning
• Plan all NPI BOM transitions for PGT and quarterback with APAC team; hand off to appropriate Planning/Purchasing teams once transition is complete
• Manage risk buy requests: Outline material risks from GSC perspective and, when necessary, analyze risk volume and spend to be requested for approval.
• Provide GSC readiness updates to program teams
• Manage the plan and coordinate with all Supply Chain groups the executional steps for phasing out of old materials to minimize obsolescence
• Manage phase out of old materials to minimize obsolescence
• Support requests and actions items from other departments as required
• Maintain effective communications and foster team work with peers
• Assure adherence to all First Solar processes and procedures, including ISO9000, ISO14000, safety, housekeeping, and audit
• May travel, including internationally, to support customers and operations
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Job description subject to change at any time

Reporting Relationships:

• This position will be responsible for interacting and collaborating with peers across Program Mgmt, Engineering, Sourcing, Global Planning, Purchasing, Logistics, and other key functional groups within First Solar.
• This is an individual contributor role.

Travel:

• Position requires ability for 10% travel

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. 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.