Procurement Manager - High Voltage
Description
Title: Procurement Manager
Department: Procurement – High Voltage
Location: Irvine, CA
Supervisor: Director of Procurement
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Permanent, Full-time
Work Status: Hybrid
PROCUREMENT MANAGER
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 Manager to support the sourcing, contracting, and execution of procurement activities related to high-voltage (HV) electrical substations and equipment. This role will own one or more major procurement categories such as transformers, breakers, relays, services, 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 Manager is responsible for driving the purchase process for major substation equipment/materials ( capacitor banks, high voltage circuit breakers, surge arrestors, relays, transformers, switchgear, etc.) from RFP to purchase order/contract execution, identifying new vendors and emerging technologies, maintaining a database of current suppliers, and managing the pre-qualification and monitoring supplier performance. Manage relationships with key suppliers that support the overall strategic objectives of the organization and ensure reliable support and supply of materials to projects. Responsible for overall coordination, development, and management of supplier strategy for assigned commodities. May be assigned other tasks as needed. This position reports to the Director of Procurement, or another management personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate. This position is Hybrid based out of Irvine, CA and working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm CST, MST or PST working hours required. This position is expected to travel up to 20%. This position can be remote with a preference for candidates in CST, MST or PST time zones or based near the Irvine, CA or Houston, TX office.
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
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to optimize the procurement of materials and/or services;
- Manage relationships with key suppliers in alignment with the Company's overall strategic goals;
- Manage the RFx process, including, but not limited to the following:
- Prepare RFIs & RFPs to qualified suppliers, including working with other functional groups to gather all required documents and data
- Determine and maintain bid schedules by project schedules
- Coordinate responses to bidder questions
- Review, compare, and evaluate supplier proposals with historical and market pricing to determine cost-competitive pricing and identify opportunities for cost savings
- Lead commercial negotiations for High-Voltage Equipment Supply Agreements, project-specific orders, change orders, etc., with key suppliers in accordance with company policies and guidelines – coordinating with the team and the Director of Procurement (HV) to ensure collaboration and alignment with portfolio strategy and goals
- Integrate a strong knowledge of Utility Scale Renewable complexities into RFP/contracting strategies (e.g., safe-harbor needs, domestic content requirements, IRA benefits timing, etc.) – collaborating with cross-functional team and Director to define exact strategy, but responsible for understanding and implementing
- Manage change order process for suppliers and other related contract management processes + mentoring Procurement Specialists in the process
- Ensure prime contract flow downs are incorporated into subcontract documents as needed or applicable to the scope of work/supply;
- Monitor supplier compliance with contract terms and project requirements;
- Support Project Management Team as needed with contract information and input to resolve supplier issues, such as under-performance or scope gaps;
- Evaluate vendor performance and develop improvement processes based on lessons learned;
- Support Project Management Team as needed with urgent procurement needs;
- Maintain accurate and complete purchasing records in accordance with record retention procedures;
- Track and analyze market data and provide updates to leadership teams;
- Identify, qualify & onboard new vendors; and
- 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 5 – 7 years of experience in Contract Management and/or Procurement
- Minimum 3 – 4 years of 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 leading capital equipment purchasing, contract management, and change order management, preferably in Solar or Renewable Energy
- Preferred experience implementing strategic sourcing initiatives (e.g., not just responding to tactical business needs)
- 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
- 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, manage junior employees, and effectively manage up
- Experience in conducting supplier reviews and evaluations, and maintaining good business relationships
- Computer literacy with advanced knowledge on Microsoft Office, including but not limited to, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc. – capabilities should allow Microsoft Office tools to be an asset to performance and ability to execute the work and communicate to the team.
- Strong understanding of construction management software systems (Procore, etc.) 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 20% 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
SALARY RANGE FOR POSITION
The anticipated starting pay range of this position, which is to be located in Irvine, CA is $125,000 - $155,000 base salary per year.
This job position is specific to Qcells USA Corp. only and not any other Hanwha affiliates. The above-listed salary range is required by the California Pay Transparency Act and may differ depending on the location of those candidates hired nationwide. The salary range shared in the job description is for the listed position and only pertains to the candidate if they work in Irvine, CA. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to internal pay equity, skill set, education, licenses and certifications, geographic location, essential job duties and requirements, and the necessary experience relative to the job’s minimum qualifications. If candidates are considered for a nationwide role, then the compensation range will follow the marketability of the job function within those states. An additional discretionary bonus structure or incentives may be offered as part of the overall compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, dental, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.
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.
This job position is specific to Qcells USA Corp. only and not any other Hanwha affiliates. The above-listed salary range is required by the California Pay Transparency Act and may differ depending on the location of those candidates hired nationwide. The salary range shared in the job description is for the listed position and only pertains to the candidate if they work in Irvine, CA. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to internal pay equity, skill set, education, licenses and certifications, geographic location, essential job duties and requirements, and the necessary experience relative to the job’s minimum qualifications. If candidates are considered for a nationwide role, then the compensation range will follow the marketability of the job function within those states. An additional discretionary bonus structure or incentives may be offered as part of the overall compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, dental, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.