Manager- Transaction Execution USA

First Solar•Phoenix, AZ

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Manager, Commercial Transactions is a senior individual contributor that supports First Solar’s Americas Global Business Development team by drafting, negotiating, executing, and managing customer-facing sales contracts that support First Solar objectives for bookings and profitability while balancing, commercial, legal and execution risk. Principal customer facing agreements include Module Sale Agreements but also include various post-contract instruments (for example; change orders, amendments, consents, assignments, estoppels, notices of default, force majeure notices). This position works closely with the origination, legal, contract management, and fulfilment teams and is the principal customer interface responsible for drafting and negotiating contracts and post-contract documentation that align with First Solar’s commercial objectives, execution capabilities, and that achieve consistency with commercial and risk management guidelines. The Manager, Commercial Transactions interacts extensively with First Solar Vice Presidents and Directors, the legal team and all relevant subject matter experts and is responsible for obtaining cross-functional buy-in on the compromises necessary to secure and maintain the business and for ensuring that the contract management, fulfillment, and other various functional teams are aware of the commercial obligations in the contracts.

Requirements

B.A. degree in Business, Technical or Legal related field or combination of Education, Certificate (Legal / Contract Management focus) and 5+ years’ experience in fulfilling contracts.
A minimum of 5 years of experience managing contractual documentation, in aggregate, of $100 MM per annum or more
Proven experience and skills in drafting commercial contract terms is a must
Experience and detailed commercial and legal knowledge of the principal customer-facing agreements/terms
Proven success in commercial deal structuring, pricing strategy, and contract development, drafting and negotiation
Strong cross-functional leadership skills
Exemplary customer service skills, interfacing directly with company heads, vice presidents, and legal counsel on “the other side of the table”
Business acumen, including excellent critical thinking and analytical ability, along with strong organizational and risk assessment skills, and demonstrated time management ability
Strong ability to identify, evaluate, and allocate risks.
Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to discern subtle requirements, nuances, and differences within complex commercial and legal documents
Solid technical acumen and/or in-depth knowledge of solar power plant technology, construction, operation, maintenance, and performance
Commitment to Scope of Authority and Business Code of Conduct; act and guide others with integrity
Exceptional written and oral communication skills
Highly effective time management skills, with the ability to execute on multiple negotiations and business objectives simultaneously
Aptitude to quickly learn new business applications, processes, and provide recommendations for improvements

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Business Administration, preferred.
Juris Doctor or equivalent career experience, a plus.
ERP and CLM experience strongly desired

Responsibilities

Lead drafting and negotiation of principal customer facing contracts, including original contracts as well as post-contract agreements/documents.
Develop and maintain relationships with customers’ commercial counterparts.
Work with team members to ensure the contracting nuances of risk management, warranties, deliverables, tax, accounting, revenue recognition, bonuses, damages, costs, and schedule are understood and are consistent with SoA policies and procedures.
Represent transactions Deal Review Committee process.
Interface closely with Executive Leadership Team, legal, finance, accounting, tax, risk management, internal audit, and other critical functions essential to deal negotiations and approvals
Develop and maintain a streamlined negotiation process to minimize risk and reduce legal costs, while ensuring strict adherence to First Solar’s Scope of Authority (SoA) policies and procedures
Follow procedures that ensure a timely and complete handover of executed commercial agreements to the fulfilment teams responsible for delivering on contractual obligations.
Provide effective leadership to direct and indirect reports in support of commercial transactions
Work closely with cross-functional deal teams including Warranties to eliminate gaps, manage risk and deliver a cohesive set of agreements
Responsible for the timely preparation of draft agreements; ensuring that the legal, commercial, and operational obligations meet performance and profitability targets
Coordinate reviews of customer draft agreements and seek replacement with First Solar forms if possible; if not possible, understand and document deviations from First Solar’s standard agreements and obtain SoA approvals as required
Ensure timely preparation and review of requests for proposals, term sheets, exhibits, warranties, guarantees, and other agreement documents to meet deal closing deadlines and customer schedules
Travel to customer locations as necessary for negotiations and relationship development; domestic and international travel required.
Other duties as assigned.