Operations Manager- Manufacturing Technology Scaling USA

Pilot Manufacturing Facility Manager

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.
• Will 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