Operations Manager- Module Operations

1. Education/Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering, business administration, or management discipline (MBA or Master of Engineering a plus).
- 5+ years of manufacturing experience w/ 2+ years of Supervisory experience.
In lieu of a degree:
- 8+ years in managerial experience in a high-tech manufacturing environment.
- 10+ years of manufacturing experience in a technical field or manufacturing environment.
- Direct experience in at least one of the areas preferred - PV module assemble, glass industry experience, lamination systems, vision metrologies, adhesive systems, packaging, and general robotics/PLC.
2. Required Skills/Competencies:
- Safety First Mentality.
- Proven ability to effectively lead salaried and production associates.
- Excellent understanding of computer applications.
- Proven ability to train and develop associates.
- Proven Employee Relations Skills and Knowledge of Human Resources Practices.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as experience with cross-functional coordination required.
- Demonstrated record of quality, cycle time and cost improvements using TOC, lean manufacturing, and kaizen concepts.
- Technical competency with proven ability to work with and advise engineers on technical matters.
- Solid knowledge of inventory management and control.
- Knowledge of manufacturing equipment and processes.
- Ability to analyze and solve problems effectively.
- Communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing with all levels of the organization.
- Provides leadership and training to accomplish First Solar goals and objectives.
- Attracts, challenges, and develops people of diverse backgrounds and experiences.
- Excellent communications and presentation skills.
- Fluent in English.
- Proven computer skills.
- Excellent organizational and managerial skills.
- Excellent employee relations and inter-personal skills.
- Excellent time management skills.
3. Essential Responsibilities:
3.1 Safety & 5S
- Member of site-safety steering committee; drives and inculcates a strong "safety-first" culture and world class house-keeping standards within plant operations to enable a zero-recordable rate.
- Timely and appropriate resolution of equipment or process safety concerns.
- Work with local EHSS team to ensure all equipment & processes are compliant with local regulatory compliances, ISO & RBA requirements in term of Environment Health and Safety for operation, provide safety leadership to improve safety culture.
3.2 Operations
- Provide operational leadership to 24/7 shift teams to ensure all tool/process KPI/KPOs are meeting targets (P90).
- Accountable for ISO & RBA -compliance in their area through up-to-date process and equipment documentation and training records.
- Drives the workforce towards a world class environment by applying the 5S methodology and ensuring housekeeping is kept at the highest level of cleanliness and maintained at all times.
- Develops strategy for bottle-neck management in the module operations area that include setting OEE goals (Uptime, Unplanned Downtime, G2G/ MTTR, Yield) and deploying right resources to address chronic issues.
- Initiates or vets' continuous improvement work-streams ensuring they pass through relevant change-management forums.
- Establishes a DMAIC mindset among associates as a way of problem solving and a Kaizen approach to improvement.
- Follows TOC (Theory of Constraints) concepts to resolve bottlenecks as it pertains to daily operations or road-map execution.
- Engineering & Continuous Improvement
- Participates in global forums (TRT, GAT), escalates process technology challenges that are a risk to P90 and collaborates on local and global solutions for the same.
- Collaborates with New Process Introduction and Global Technology teams to develop implementation plan for new process or equipment and closes gaps identified during execution.
People
- Ensure the team is properly trained and developed through structured plans. Provide coaching and support to the team in dealing with any potential issue.
- Conduct performance appraisal, provide feedback, and create succession plan for key associates.
- Engage, Recognize and Reward associates. Supervises and motivates a team of associates creating a culture of personal responsibility and continuous improvement.
3.3 Reporting Relationships:
- This position reports to the Head - Module Operations.
- This position will have direct reports.