First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions:
- Responsible for obtaining bids and placing orders for supplies, materials, services, and equipment.
- Negotiates pricing and delivery with key vendors, supports the qualification of new suppliers and plans inventory levels according to established guidelines and in a cost efficient manner.
- Responsible for assuring Purchasing Orders are placed and deliveries are scheduled and maintained to meet production requirements of critical BoM and other production material commodities and production consumables.
Education/Experience:
- Associates Degree required
- Bachelor’s Degree, preferred
- 8 years purchasing experience 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.
- Some experience directing the work of other buyers is preferred.
Required Skills/Competencies:
Technical:
- Proven organizational skills – ability to prioritize.
- Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office or equivalent.
- In-depth knowledge of MRP concepts and one or more ERP systems.
- High level of skill demonstrated in managing suppliers and supplier relationships.
- Broad knowledge of techniques used in negotiating cost reductions along with terms and conditions with suppliers.
- Excellent communications and interpersonal skills.
Accountabilities:
- A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected.
- Down time of the manufacturing process or other business at First Solar due to run out of assigned commodities is minimized.
- Supplier relationships are maintained and improved.
- Product cost and cash flow are positively impacted.
- Failure to perform responsibilities will have a significant impact on First Solar production and, ultimately, financial performance.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Responsible for managing the commercial relationship between First Solar and its key local suppliers.
- Responsible for processing purchase orders according to established guidelines and in a cost-efficient manner.
- Utilizes MRP and other input from Manufacturing Planning, as well as independent analysis, determine what items need to be ordered and in what quantity, and place Purchase Orders with approved suppliers to meet manufacturing requirements.
- Responsible for negotiating pricing and other terms with assigned suppliers to improve product cost, reduce First Solar inventory, and improve cash flow.
- Negotiates and places Purchase Orders for significant capital equipment purchases.
- Independently investigates new suppliers for improved price, delivery and quality.
- Participate in and may lead supplier selection, qualification, evaluation, and re-evaluations for new and current suppliers.
- Responsible for managing inventory levels of assigned materials.
- As required, expedite or de-expedite deliveries and change scheduled quantities to meet changes in production or requirements, including working with Logistics to schedule and arrange timely and cost-effective deliveries.
- Notifies suppliers of changes in specification and obtain their approval prior to implementing the change.
- Notifies suppliers of quality discrepancies in their incoming material; with internal and supplier experts, support the identification of root cause and assure corrective action; and assure material disposition is appropriate dealt with.
- 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.
- May perform Commodity Management functions on some items, including development of strategic relationships and negotiating long term supply agreements.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Job description subject to change at any time.
Reporting Relationships:
- May delegate work to, and oversee work of, up to four Buyers.
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 Salary Range:
US Physical Requirements:
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.
