Lead- Warehouse Operations and Materials

• Develops a globally aligned warehouse strategy for the site to drive a lean, efficient warehouse covering BOM, Spares, Consumables and Finished Goods. This includes driving an efficient and effective distributions of parts mentioned above between sites, which is cost effective.
• Responsible for the overall performance of the warehouse and inventory control functions; includes FG shipments, goods receipt, inventory control, and material storage/delivery to production.
• Drives warehouse operations system improvements by analyzing process workflows, manning, space requirements and layouts.
• Identify and coach SME among the Lead Warehouse Operations and Shift Supervisors.
• Responsible for driving best practices and a lean culture across all sites. Identify and implement continuous improvement programs across the sites.
• Responsible for driving a safety culture and practice in the warehouse operations among the associates.
• Develops the competency of the warehouse operations team in the areas of skills and knowledge to optimize the operations to support all stakeholders in a safe manner.
• Manages execution at all internal and external warehouses that support manufacturing sites. To ensure on time and continuous material supply from warehouse to manufacturing.
• Establishes a comprehensive program to reduce turnover and enable Associate development.
• Develops and adheres to warehouse budget.
• Responsible for ensuring on time delivery of customer orders.
• Responsible for accurate work instructions & procurement to meet SOX and ISO requirements.
• Accountable for all KPI’s associated with warehouse operations and related corrective actions for misses.
• Interfaces with Commodity mgmt., Logistics, Planning, Purchasing and Mfg teams to ensure effective coordination of operational activities.

Qualification And Experience:-

• Bachelor’s degree in business or technical discipline.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• Six Sigma and/or lean certification preferred.
• Eight to Ten years of Warehouse management, purchasing, materials planning, warehouse, and/or logistics experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Have managed or currently manages a warehouse operation of more than 40 associates.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Demonstrated knowledge of warehouse and inventory control concepts (FIFO, Kanban, cycle counting practices, etc.).
• Proven organizational and supervisory skills.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
• Excellent understanding of computer applications (Word, Excel, Access, ERP systems, etc.).
• Proven developmental and training skills.
• Ability to develop a strong safety culture and practice in the workplace.
• Strong coaching and mentoring skills
• Proven employee relations skills and knowledge of HR practices.
• Ability to analyze and solve problems effectively.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Develops a globally aligned warehouse strategy for the site to drive a lean, efficient warehouse; strategy to consider all aspects of warehouse operations including warehouse layouts, hub-n-spoke modeling, material storage, material delivery systems, WIP transfers, scanning technology, etc.
• Proactively identifies and drives opportunities for operational efficiencies and cost reduction.
• Implementing continuous improvements across all sites
• Leverages existing tools to create pull system strategies to reduce inventory levels and improve overall space utilization.
• Ensures adherence to First Solar AOP/forecast objectives pertaining to warehouse budget, FG shipments and activities supporting production and revenue recognition.
• Develops a comprehensive people strategy, with clearly defined job levels tied to experience, training and demonstrated knowledge and skillset.
• Identify and coach SME among the Lead Warehouse Operations and Shift Supervisors.
• Develops the warehouse budgets and ensures compliance.
• Develops and implements a strategy for line-side JIT or Kanban material replenishment.
• Responsible for the overall performance of the warehouse and inventory control functions.
• Manages the cycle count process for all inventory, including FG, WIP and all inventorial material for the Mfg sites and warehouse; responsible for identifying root cause and driving solution to resolve discrepancies in conjunction with operations and MES, where applicable.
• Collaborates in the space planning meetings to ensure floor layouts accommodate necessary raw materials, chemical and WIP volumes necessary to support the production floor.
• Attends program meetings to obtain information impacting Warehouse operations. Provides input to teams on data necessary to create project plans and business cases, as well as provide functional project status updates to enable project on time completion of projects at/under budget.
• Ensure that all associates comply to safety practices across the warehouse operation.
• Collaborates with other functional leaders to align strategies and cross functional procedures in the best interest of First Solar
• Interfaces with other departments, customers, and supplier representatives.
• Assure adherence to all First Solar processes and procedures, including ISO9K, ISO14K, 45K, safety, housekeeping, etc. Ensures compliance with all good housekeeping standards and 5-S standards.
• Accountabilities:
• Meeting Variable Cost to Serve (VCTS) targets.
• Reduction of Associate turnover
• On time delivery of materials to production floor
• On time receipt of incoming materials
• Accurate and timely shipment of customer orders
• Minimize Safety incidents (Recordable, MHE High Impact incidences etc.)
• Inventory Accuracy
• Adhere to budget targets.
• Failure to perform responsibilities will have a significant impact on First Solar production and, ultimately, financial performance.

Location:-

• Tamil Nadu, India.

Company Overview:-

First Solar is leading the world’s sustainable energy future. We are an exciting work environment in one of the most important industries of the 21st century. First Solar is a leader in the development and manufacturing of thin film solar modules used in grid-connected solar power plants. Our cost-advantaged solar technology boasts the smallest carbon footprint, lowest life cycle water use, and fastest energy payback in the industry. We are delivering solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges including climate change, energy security, water scarcity, and the unsustainable growing consumption of natural resources. At First Solar, you will feel valued, appreciated and challenged, working side-by-side with some of the top minds in the industry. You will be regularly updated on the company’s goals, progress and achievements. First Solar maintains a culture where all associates work together to lead the world’s sustainable energy future. We believe in employee engagement, collaboration, well-being and productivity for all generations and emerging work styles. We’re changing the world. Now, let us start with yours. First Solar is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. First Solar’s policy is not to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability or any other basis protected by application country, federal, state or local laws; the company prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories.