Area Manager - Module (12 Hours Shift)

Basic Job Functions:

• Manages and leads assigned shift module production, engineering, and maintenance resources in the production of photovoltaic modules to meet shift goals in terms of Safety, Quality, Yield, and Throughput.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor degree in business, engineering, or manufacturing.
• 5 years experience in manufacturing or engineering supervisory.
• Strong background with manufacturing methods and process improvement.
• Working knowledge of budgets and financial statements.

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.
• Proven computer skills.
• Excellent organizational and managerial skills.
• Excellent employee relations and inter-personal skills.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Preferred knowledge of Finishing Tools, Processes, and Fundamentals. (Internal Only)
• Demonstrate ability to analyze engineering and statistical data. JMP experience a plus.
• Able to make good engineering proposals and solutions.
• Preferred knowledge of Mechanical, Pneumatic, Hydraulic and Electrical Practices.

Essential Responsibilities:

Safety & 5S

• Drives and promotes 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.
• Collaborates with EH&S to execute safety-programs like Lock-out Tag-out and Incident Reporting and Management System.
• Work with local EHSS team to ensure all equipment & process are compliance with local regulatory compliances, ISO & RBA requirements in term of Environment Health and Safety for operation, provide safety leadership to improve safety culture.
• Leads 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.

Operations & Maintenance

• Manage shift module team to ensure all labor resources, material and equipment are available to ensure all tool/process KPI/KPOs are meeting targets.
• 2nd level escalation on crew for decisions, actions and efforts made. Will follow escalation path as defined.
• Has responsibility for manpower planning, elimination of waste, quality, and safety compliance.
• Accountable for ISO & RBA -compliance in their area through up-to-date process and equipment documentation and training records
• Develops strategy for bottle-neck management in the semiconductor operations area that include setting OEE goals (Uptime, Unplanned Downtime, G2G/ MTTR, Yield) and deploying right resources to address chronic issues.
• 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 roadmap execution.

Engineering & Continuous Improvement

• Understand yield and quality requirements and make decisions that improve quality and yield.
• Accountable for module process control within shift. Ensures team is appropriately responding to SPC alarms and adhering to control plan.

People

• Ensure the team is properly trained and developed through structured plans. Provide coaching and support to the team in dealing with any potential issues.
• Conduct performance appraisal, provide feedback, and create succession plan for shift leaders.
• Engage, Recognize and Reward associates. Supervises and motivates a team of associates creating a culture of personal responsibility and continuous improvement.
• Strategic planning in skillset development for shift manufacturing associates based on competency plan and gaps identified.
• Take charge of emergency situations when required within the shift.
• Responsible to train and to adopt the 7 steps problem solving methodology in the daily running of the shift.
• Mentor and coach shift supervisors and take the lead in shift operation.
• Daily report & present semiconductor plants performance in Production Meetings.
• Job description subject to change at any time
• Ensure compliance with Quality, Environment, Health and Safety and Responsible Business Alliance policies and procedures that is enforced within the organization.
• Other duties as assigned.