PRIMARY PURPOSE:

Lead procurement cross-functional teams for strategic categories resulting in procurement decisions delivering the highest quality, reliability, and value to meet First Solar requirements.  Develop strong business relationships and strategic alliances supporting First Solar’s growth plan.

KEY FUNCTIONS:

• Act as global commodity team leader for assigned Tier 1 categories.
• Develop, advocate & implement a global sourcing with specific negotiation strategies to achieve cost, supply assurance and risk mitigation objectives.   
• Develop, negotiate and administer contracts for top pareto suppliers within key areas of spend.
• Coordinate aggregation of all sites demand for supplier forecasting and leveraging for cost reduction.
• Proactively manage global supplier base ensuring supply with no adverse impact on factory ramp plans.
• Utilize formal benchmarking methods to determine best in class processes and drive improvement.
• Develop and implement cost-reduction programs through the use of Cost- of-Ownership (COO) analysis, cost build-up analysis and supplier competition.
• Measure and track supply performance within defined spend category.
• Implement inventory optimization programs (as applicable) to optimize inventory turns, inventory investment and service level performance.
• Must effectively communicate with senior executives both internally and externally. 
• Demonstrate expert project management skills in leading cross functional teams. 
• Conduct business dealings with the highest level of integrity and regard for legal and environmental issues.

CATEGORY PREFFERED EXPERIENCE:

Preferred candidate will possess:

·         Five (5) + years experience performing above functions on product equipment spares, production consumables or similar material, for multiple sites in large multinational firm.

·         Proven track record managing equipment spares or similar material in continuous process manufacturing environment where tool availability is critical.

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS:

DECISION MAKING:

·         Select, evaluate, and develop category plan objectives in areas of technology, quality, cost, flexibility, and service.

·         Prioritize tasks consistent with achieving overall supply management organizational goals.

·         Implement sourcing decisions based on team consensus to weighted scorecard.

PROBLEM SOLVING:

• Ability to independently assess, define and solve complex supply chain and procurement issues.
• Apply appropriate competitive cost benchmarks, financial analysis and risk management techniques to solve complex issues.
• Ability to influence diverse group of people to achieve mutually beneficial solutions.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT:

• Understands and demonstrates advanced project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects at the same time.
• Ability to close advanced projects on time with minimal supervision.

INTERACTION: 

·         Frequently interacts with functional peers and function peer group managers.  

• Interaction normally requires the ability to gain cooperation of others, conducting presentations concerning specific projects, objectives and schedules. 
• Leads cooperative efforts among members of a project team. 
• Interactions (including negotiations) with senior level leaders regarding matters of significance to the organization.

JOB COMPLEXITY: 

·         Works on issues of diverse scope and increased complexity where analysis of situation or data requires evaluation of a variety of factors, including an understanding of current business trends. 

·         Follows processes and operational policies in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions. 

·         Develops and administers project plan schedules and performance requirements.

• Exercises judgment within defined procedures and policies to determine appropriate action. 
• Works on issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth knowledge of organizational objectives. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BS/BA degree plus 10 years of experience in a related technical or business field or MBA plus 3 years of experience in a related technical or business field. Specific education in Supply Chain Management (SCM) preferred.
• In depth knowledge of operational purchasing processes & concepts.
• ISM and APICS Certification preferred.