Commodity Manager II (Global Sourcing)

First Solar (US)•Perrysburg, OH

4d•$84,200 - $120,000

About The Position

The Commodity Manager II serves as the global supply management leader for assigned Tier 2 categories. The role leads cross-functional procurement teams and develops global sourcing and negotiation strategies to achieve cost, supply assurance, and risk-mitigation objectives. It builds strong business relationships and strategic supplier alliances that support First Solar’s growth plan, while ensuring procurement decisions deliver the quality, reliability, and value required by the company. The position leads commercial negotiations with suppliers, coordinates demand aggregation across sites, manages supplier performance and supply continuity, and implements cost-reduction and inventory-optimization programs. It uses benchmarking, cost-of-ownership and cost build-up analyses, supplier competition, and performance tracking to improve category outcomes. The role also leads cross-functional projects and communicates with internal management and supplier stakeholders, including senior leaders and executives. The position reports to a Commodity Leader or Director, Global Supply Chain, and requires up to 20% travel. The estimated salary range is $84,200–$120,000 annually. Office work involves interacting with people and technology while standing or sitting; associates must be able to communicate face-to-face and by phone, with or without reasonable accommodation. Candidates receiving an offer must successfully complete a background check and any other required tests. First Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to diversity, inclusion, and reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree plus at least 5 years of experience in a related technical or business field, or 8 years of experience in a related technical or business field.
Strong knowledge of operational purchasing processes and concepts.
Ability to assess, define, and resolve complex supply-chain and procurement issues without supervision.
Ability to apply root-cause analysis, derive corrective actions, and assess supplier analyses and proposed plans.
Ability to apply competitive cost benchmarks, financial analysis, and risk-management techniques.
Ability to influence internal customers and executives to achieve mutually beneficial solutions.
Advanced project-management skills and ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and close them on time.
Ability to manage relationships and peer deliverables to successful project completion.
Strong oral, written, and presentation communication skills.
Ability to influence peers, senior managers, executives, and supplier leaders to achieve organizational goals.
Ability to lead cross-functional teams for ad hoc or ongoing projects.
Ability to build industry relationships and category subject-matter expertise.
Ability to develop category objectives covering technology, quality, cost, flexibility, and service.
Ability to implement sourcing decisions based on team consensus and weighted scorecards.

Nice To Haves

ISM certification.
APICS certification.

Responsibilities

Lead procurement cross-functional teams for assigned Tier 2 categories and make sourcing decisions that meet quality, reliability, and value requirements.
Act as global supply management leader for assigned categories.
Develop and implement global sourcing and negotiation strategies to achieve cost, supply assurance, and risk-mitigation objectives.
Lead commercial negotiations with managed supply partners.
Coordinate aggregation of demand across sites for supplier forecasting and cost leverage.
Proactively manage the supplier base to ensure supply without adversely affecting factory ramp plans.
Use formal benchmarking methods to identify best-in-class processes and drive improvement.
Develop and implement cost-reduction programs using cost-of-ownership analysis, cost build-up analysis, and supplier competition.
Measure and track supply performance within the spend category.
Implement inventory optimization programs to improve inventory turns, investment, and service-level performance.
Communicate effectively with appropriate management levels internally and externally.
Lead cross-functional teams and manage supply chain objectives for quality, technology, cost, flexibility, and service.
Demonstrate project management skills, manage multiple projects, and bring projects to successful and timely completion.
Conduct business dealings with integrity and regard for legal and environmental issues.
Perform market and cost analysis; issue RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs; develop and execute negotiation plans; negotiate within approved parameters and authority; document commercial terms; and draft contract agreements and amendments.
Perform other duties as assigned.