Purchasing Supervisor

Overview

The work location for this position is to be determined and will be communicated at the time of offer. Candidates must be willing to relocate to any First Solar location. Relocation assistance may be provided where applicable. First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.

• Supervise team of buyers for all purchasing activities supporting the First Solar Module Manufacturing organization (North America).
• Ensure Purchase Orders are placed and deliveries are scheduled and maintained to meet production requirements for the Module Manufacturing organization.
• Provide support with alignment, coaching, and talent development for all subordinates.
• Implement and enforce global purchasing processes and procedures.
• Support efforts to optimize inventory turns, minimize stock outs, and prevent production disruptions.
• Contribute to the development of Global Purchasing processes and procedures.
• Measure supplier performance metrics.
• Obtain bids, negotiate price reductions and place orders for supplies, materials, services, and equipment.
• Support the qualification of new suppliers.

• 8 years purchasing experience with an Associate’s Degree or
• 5 years purchasing experience with Bachelor’s Degree.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.
• Has thorough knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within the Purchasing field.
• Knowledge of engineering databases and managing specification changes with suppliers.
• Supervisory experience preferred
• APICS experience preferred
• The candidate must be able to work independently across functions and at multiple levels.

• In-depth knowledge of MRP concepts leveraging one or more ERP systems.
• Demonstrated ability to manage suppliers and supplier relationships.
• Broad knowledge of techniques used in negotiating cost reductions along with terms and conditions with suppliers.
• Ability to provide direction to subordinates to ensure actions are aligned with corporate goals, ability to train, coach and provide guidance to associates to enable talent development.
• Understanding of internal controls, and audit practices and procedures.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office suite programs.

• Responsible for supervising assigned buyers; providing daily direction to ensure alignment.
• Responsible for training assigned buyers and providing coaching for talent development.
• Responsible for processing purchase orders according to established guidelines and in a cost-efficient manner.
• Using MRP and other inputs, determine what items to order and in what quantity, and place purchase orders with approved suppliers to meet manufacturing requirements.
• Identify potential stock-outs; take proactive steps to minimize their impact and communicate with necessary organizations.
• Expedite or de-expedite deliveries as required by changing production or requirements, including coordinating with Logistics for timely and cost-effective deliveries.
• Responsible for successful implementation and sustainment of global purchasing processes and procedures.
• Responsible for the development, management, and tracking of key purchasing metrics.
• Responsible for negotiating pricing for assigned materials and/or services to improve product cost.
• Responsible for resolving payment issues with suppliers to ensure on-time payment processing and mitigation of potential credit holds.
• Responsible for managing the commercial relationship between First Solar and its key local suppliers.
• Perform on-site audits/visits to potential or current suppliers as necessary.
• May negotiate contractual agreements with defined pricing and terms and conditions for non-strategic materials, goods and services and/or capital equipment.
• Independently investigates new suppliers for improved price, delivery, and quality.
• Participates in, and may lead, supplier selection, qualification, evaluation, and re-evaluations for new and current suppliers.
• May work with engineering to modify or finalize specifications.
• Maintains effective communications levels and fosters team building.
• Adheres to all First Solar internal processes and procedures, including safety, SOA, ISO
  9000, SIO
  14000, and housekeeping standards.
• Adheres to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
• Accountabilities:
  Ensure no downtime of the manufacturing process at First Solar due to purchasing execution.
• Maintain supplier relationships with excellent communication.
• Positively impact product cost and cash flow.
• Cross-functional support with other First Solar Module Manufacturing sites.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

• This position will be responsible for the supervision and oversight of the Buyers supporting the Module Manufacturing operations.
• This position will have direct reports.

• May travel, including internationally, to critical…