Operations Manager (Development Engineering)

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

Basic Job Functions:

Oversee operations of a development production line for Photovoltaic coupons and/or E-plates in accordance with required quality standards and in a cost-efficient manner. Development line runs multiple different process flows with multiple process skews. Responsibility for line output and cycle time including continuous improvement and strategy to adapt to future needs. Oversight of maintenance, cutting and operations.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or in Management (business) with relevant experience.
• Demonstrated history of line oversight and continuous improvement of metrics.
• Five (5) years supervisory experience in a manufacturing production setting, warehouse, textile, agricultural or material inspection capacity.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Operations planning, line balancing, continuous improvement of line efficiency metrics.
• Effective communication and supervisory skills.
• Efficient Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Skills.
• Proven decision-making skills.
• Solid people skills and a positive, outgoing attitude.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills.
• The ideal candidate should have the ability to think outside the box and to develop unique and timely solutions.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Support all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards, including our 5S system.
• Oversight of Cutting, Maintenance and Operations staff to ensure quality output delivered on time.
• Responsibility for Line Output and Cycle time and continuous improvement/optimization.
• Capacity (equipment and people) planning to achieve targets.
• Directly reports are the supervisors of cutting, maintenance and operations supervisors.
• Ensure that daily targets are met in accordance with quality standards.
• Coordinate on-the-job training and cross training of associates.
• Identify training opportunities to develop and maintain a highly motivated and capable team.
• Maintain all associate records.
• Effective use of internal development engineering software for tracking.
• Ensure accurate time keeping for line associates in our tracking system.
• Maintains product inventory accuracy.
• Utilize Theory of Constraints (TOC) methodology to maximize throughput.
• Participate in continuous improvement activities/teams.
• Effectively interfaces with other departments.
• Support efforts to consistently exceed customer expectations.
• Coordinate with development engineers and other supervisors on day-to-day issues.
• Responsible for eliminating downtime constraints in assigned area (e.g.: find root cause and resolve the issue, effectively utilize support teams to improve quality and production).
• Monitor and maintain training guides and track training progress of team.
• Conduct performance appraisals.

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to Development Director.
• Will have direct reports.

Estimated Salary Range:

• $97,500-$139,000 Annually.

US 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 37 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 both eyes together, 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, and a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair) for those requiring respirator use.

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.