Procurement Specialist - High Voltage

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Qcells

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Houston, TX, United States

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Description





Title: Procurement Specialist - High Voltage
Department: Procurement – High Voltage
Location: Houston, TX
Supervisor: Procurement Manager
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Permanent, Full-time

Work Status: Hybrid


PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST - HIGH VOLTAGE


Hanwha Qcells USA Corp (Qcells USA), headquartered in Irvine, CA, specializes in providing utility-scale modules, solar photovoltaic (PV), and battery energy storage systems (BESS) project development, along with Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services for solar and BESS projects nationwide. Qcells USA delivers comprehensive turnkey solutions encompassing the entire utility-scale project lifecycle. By choosing Qcells USA for turnkey solutions, customers can reduce uncertainty and risk, leading to enhanced investment returns and contributing to a more sustainable future.


Qcells USA’s complete turnkey solutions seamlessly integrate the expertise of our Development, Module, and EPC teams, while ensuring close coordination with other vital internal groups such as Project Finance, Systems Integration, and Legal. This collaborative approach ensures that Qcells USA projects deliver exceptional value and performance. With several multi-billion-dollar investments, Qcells is pioneering the establishment of the only complete module supply chain in the U.S., including the expansion of our Georgia module manufacturing facility, which stands as the largest in the Western Hemisphere.


As an integral part of the global Qcells brand, Qcells USA benefits from a legacy of excellence in photovoltaic manufacturing. Qcells is renowned worldwide for its high-performance, superior-quality solar cells and modules. With dual headquarters in Seoul, South Korea (Global Executive HQ) and Thalheim, Germany (Technology & Innovation HQ), Qcells operates under the umbrella of Hanwha Group, a FORTUNE Global 500 company and one of the top 8 business conglomerates in South Korea.


SUMMARY

Qcells is seeking a Procurement Specialist to support the sourcing, contracting, and execution of procurement activities related to high-voltage (HV) electrical substations and equipment. This role will support or own one or more major procurement categories such as transformers, breakers, or full substation EPC. The individual will work closely with engineering, project management, construction, legal, and finance to ensure cost-effective, timely, and risk-mitigated procurement. The Procurement Specialist is responsible for conducting the purchasing and/or contracting process for assigned major equipment scopes (capacitor banks, high voltage circuit breakers, surge arrestors, transformers switchgear, etc.) from RFP to purchase order/contract execution, identifying new vendors and emerging technologies, maintaining a database of current vendors, supporting the pre-qualification process and monitoring vendor performance. Works closely with key vendors to support the organization's overall strategic objectives and ensure reliable material support and supply for projects. Delivers the successful operational procurement of assigned projects – ensuring all projects are fully supported by SCM and achieved target COD (Commercial Operations Date). An ideal candidate will blend proven capital equipment procurement experience with the desire to learn, collaborate, and grow. They will have the ability to fully own operational procurement needs and also jump into new areas outside their current circle of competence – understanding the factors that will drive success, identifying and mitigating the factors that will cause delays/issues, and working with their team and leadership to deliver consistently high-quality results to the business. This position reports to the Procurement Manager, or another management personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate. This position is located in the Houston, TX office and working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time. This position is expected to travel up to 15%.


Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.


ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES


  • Interact with key vendors in support of the Company's overall strategic goals
  • Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to issue necessary contracts for High-Voltage capital equipment (GSUs, Circuit Breakers, etc.), and other items as needed
  • Perform vendor onboarding processes (including NDA and pre-qualification)
  • Issue RFx’s, including, but not limited to the following
    • Preparation of RFIs & RFPs to qualified vendors, including working with other functional groups to gather all required documents and data
    • Determine and maintain bid schedules in accordance with project schedules
    • Coordinate responses to bidder questions
    • Review, compare, and evaluate vendor proposals with historical and market pricing to determine cost-competitive pricing and identify opportunities for cost savings
    • Coordinating with High-Voltage procurement team to ensure collaboration and alignment with portfolio strategy and goals
    • Support commercial negotiations for Master Services Agreements, project-specific agreements, etc., for key vendors in accordance with company policies and guidelines
    • Integrate a working knowledge of Utility Scale Renewable complexities into RFP/contracting strategies (e.g., safe-harbor needs, domestic content requirements, IRA benefits timing, etc.) – collaborating with Manager and Director to define exact strategy, but is responsible for understanding and implementing
  • Support the change order processes for vendors and other related contract management processes
  • Perform the handover process to the Project Team, ensuring key contract terms, timelines, due dates, etc. are appropriately communicated
  • Support Project Management Team as needed with contract information and input to resolve vendor disputes and/or issues, such as under-performance or scope gaps
  • Coordinate with internal and external logistics providers to manage the movement of assets between projects and/or warehouse facilities
  • Monitor vendor performance evaluation process and help create improvement processes based on lessons learned
  • Maintain accurate and complete contracting records in accordance with record retention procedures
  • Track and analyze market data and provide updates to leadership teams
  • Identify, qualify & onboard new vendors
  • Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position
  • Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned by Management


REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS


  • Bachelor's Degree required
  • Minimum 3 – 4 years of experience in Contract Management and/or Procurement
  • Preferred experience in utility-scale solar/renewable energy (e.g., >50MW) and/or construction field projects at a project size of over $30M in procurement of equipment/material
  • Experience in capital equipment purchasing, contract management, and change order management
  • Ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced, professional, team environment with minimal supervision
  • Ability to prioritize tasks appropriately and in support of project schedules and other deadlines – not just following steps, but actively thinking of how to improve current state
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Confident communicator with the ability to interact with people at all levels of the organization – proven ability to work cross-functionally and effectively manage up
  • Experience in conducting supplier reviews and evaluations, and maintaining good business relationships
  • Computer literacy with a professional knowledge on Microsoft office including, but not limited to, Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.
  • Understanding of construction management software systems (Procore) and SAP, or proven ability to learn new software systems quickly
  • Able to identify, investigate, and solve problems that arise in a timely manner


EXAMPLES OF PHYSICAL DEMANDS


  • Stationary Position: frequently remains stationary up to 90% of the time and sitting up to 8 hours in a day
  • Move/Traverse: infrequently bend, stand, stoop and/or walk
  • Carry Weight: infrequently carry weight and/or lift objects (light to heavy) weighing up to 10 pounds
  • Hearing and Speech: frequently communicates with the ability to hear and talk on a regular basis with employees, coworkers, and all personnel matters; must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
  • Sight: frequent use of sight to detect images on computer, office documents, and office objects near and far
  • Climb: occasionally ascends/descends on stairway to get to office upper and lower floors
  • Travel: up to 15% as needed


EXAMPLES OF WORK ENVIRONMENT


  • Regular professional, office business setting
  • Noise level ranges from low to moderate (if in office setting)
  • Noise level ranges from moderate to high (if on construction worksite)
  • Under the Office Mobilization Plan (OMP) policy, the role may transition to an onsite or hybrid arrangement, as determined by business needs and the Head of Department


Hanwha Qcells is proud to be an at-will Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination against race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status and any other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.


It is important to note that the job descriptions provided by Qcells USA Corp are not intended to be comprehensive lists of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the positions. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice, reflecting our dynamic and evolving work environment.


We are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Hanwha Qcells will provide reasonable accommodations to all qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodations at hr-usa@qcells.com.


Nothing in this statement shall imply implicitly or explicitly a guarantee of employment outside our at-will employment opportunity.