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JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title (Functional) Group Manager of Module Operations Job Code
Reports To Head – Module Operations Dept ID
Department Module Operations
Basic Job Functions:
Responsible for Module Factory operations and leads a team of Managers
responsible for Module Manufacturing Operations and Engineering in a thin-film
photovoltaic manufacturing flow
Executes per plan to achieve site metrics that span Safety, Quality, Product
Performance, Throughput, Yield and Cost
Direct oversight of Shift Operations, Equipment and Process Engineering teams
in a 24x7 environment and leads an organization with > 600 associates in a multi-
GW PV Module Factory
Helps develop Annual Operating Plan (AOP) with their Plant Manager
Establish and invest in training and development of people/upskills associates,
technical competencies and standardize training programs for all plants.
Oversight of plant level process control systems and OEE reports incl. deploying
corrective actions or counter-measures as needed
Collaborates with global teams to implement, and ramp new process and
product technologies and helps troubleshoot performance gaps by providing the
necessary leadership
Lends subject matter expertise pertaining to Module processing to plant and
global leadership.
Responsibility also includes tools/process sustaining and matching in the base
plant.
Act as an advisor and coach concerning engineering and manufacturing related
issues to facilitate teamwork and continuous improvement to management and
the workforce.
Experience:
More than 10 years in managerial roles in a high-tech manufacturing
environment
Minimum 15 years of Manufacturing experience in a technical field or
manufacturing environment.
Direct experience in at least one of the areas - PV module Bussing, lamination,
vision metrologies, frame application, ARC coating, light simulator
testing and packout.
First Solar Proprietary & Confidential - General
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Knowledge of PV module packaging processing, pick and place robots and
machine vision concepts will be an advantage
Working knowledge of budgets and financial statements
Strong background with manufacturing methods and process improvement
Education:
BS in EE, ME, Chem E, Physics, Material Engineering or technical degree in a
related engineering field required
Master’s degree in Engineering or Advanced Degrees ([Link], MBA) preferred
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
[Safety & 5S]
Drives and inculcates a strong “safety-first” culture and world class house-
keeping standards within plant operations to enable a zero-recordable rate
Collaborates with EH&S to execute safety programs like Lock-out Tag-out and
Incident Reporting and Management System
Timely and appropriate resolution of equipment or process safety concerns
[Operations]
Provide leadership, and oversight of daily module manufacturing (Finishing
process and operations) through Group, Engineering and Operations Leads
Chairs forums to monitor progress toward meeting plant metrics per P90 plan
and identifies corrective actions as it pertains to Man-Method-Machine
performance
Collaborates with other functional leads in EH&S, Q&R, Supply-Chain to identify
constraints to P90 at a tactical and strategic level and resolves them
Develop and control costs, plans and budgets to meet essential cost per watt and
budgetary performances. Work with finance to monitor and control operation
expenses (CpW).
Organize for fulfillment for ISO 9k,14k and 45k and RBA compliance through up-
to-date process and equipment documentation and training records
[Engineering]
Provides leadership, and oversight over systems for process control and
performance
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Develops strategy for bottle-neck management in the semiconductor operations
area that include setting OEE goals (Uptime, Unplanned Downtime, G2G/ MTTR,
Yield) and deploying the right resources to address chronic issues
Collaborates with local integration teams to address equipment or process
under-performance
Accountable for global alignment and fingerprinting; deviations are reported and
risk-assessed in a timely fashion – copy-exact vs. copy-smart as applicable
Owner for cost monitoring and waste mitigation programs for BOM and
equipment spares; supports the qualification of new suppliers
[Technology and Continuous Improvement]
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
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 processes or equipment and close gaps
identified during execution
[People]
Coach direct reports to execute per First Solar’s – Vision, Mission and Values.
Architects and maintains oversight of continuous learning programs for
associates in their organization to ensure a trained and competent work-force
Develops a “strong bench” of associates that can step up to the next level
Conduct performance appraisal, provide feedback and create a 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.
Required Skills:
Behavioral:
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Safety First Mentality
Must be self-motivated and able to provide strong leadership in highly matrix
organization structure
Provides leadership and strategy to accomplish First Solar’s goals and objectives
Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as experience with
cross-functional coordination required.
Proven Employee Relations Skills and Knowledge of Human Resources Practices
Proven experiences in Strategic Planning and Organization Development to
accomplish the company’s Mission and Vision
Able to attract and develop talent from diverse backgrounds and experiences
Able to demonstrate core values of Agility (championing changes, being creative
and resilient), Collaboration (building trust and respect, inclusion and diversity,
managing through conflicts) and Accountability (commit and deliver through
discipline and integrity, making data-driven decision and own the outcomes
Technical:
Lean Six-Sigma background (Green-Belt or higher)
Knowledge of industrial electrical, mechanical, pick and place robots and
machine vision concepts will be an advantage
Demonstrated experience with implementing and sustaining Statistical Process
Control Systems
Demonstrated experience with Robust Engineering and Design of Experiments
Adept with at least one data-analytics and visualization platform – JMP, Minitab,
SAS, Power-BI
Knowledge of Theory of Constraints
Physical Requirements (if any)
Will sit and stand for long periods during the day.
Will walk, climb stairs and on equipment.
May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist
May lift up to 50 lbs.
Required to use hands to finger, lift, handle, carry or feel objects.
May stoop, kneel, bend, talk and hear.
Specific vision abilities are required.
All associates working on the production floor may be required to wear a
respirator at any given time and thus, the ability to wear a respirator is a
condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial
hair).
First Solar Proprietary & Confidential - General