Senior Procurement Specialist - High Voltage

Description

Title: Senior Procurement Specialist

Department: Procurement – High Voltage Location: Irvine, CA Supervisor: Procurement Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Permanent, Full-time

Work Status: Hybrid

SENIOR PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST

Hanwha Qcells USA Corp (Qcells USA), headquartered in Irvine, CA, specializes in providing utility-scale modules, solar photovoltaic (PV), and battery energy storage systems (BESS) project development, along with Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services for solar and BESS projects nationwide. Qcells USA delivers comprehensive turnkey solutions encompassing the entire utility-scale project lifecycle. By choosing Qcells USA for turnkey solutions, customers can reduce uncertainty and risk, leading to enhanced investment returns and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Qcells USA’s complete turnkey solutions seamlessly integrate the expertise of our Development, Module, and EPC teams, while ensuring close coordination with other vital internal groups such as Project Finance, Systems Integration, and Legal. This collaborative approach ensures that Qcells USA projects deliver exceptional value and performance. With several multi-billion-dollar investments, Qcells is pioneering the establishment of the only complete module supply chain in the U.S., including the expansion of our Georgia module manufacturing facility, which stands as the largest in the Western Hemisphere.

As an integral part of the global Qcells brand, Qcells USA benefits from a legacy of excellence in photovoltaic manufacturing. Qcells is renowned worldwide for its high-performance, superior-quality solar cells and modules. With dual headquarters in Seoul, South Korea (Global Executive HQ) and Thalheim, Germany (Technology & Innovation HQ), Qcells operates under the umbrella of Hanwha Group, a FORTUNE Global 500 company and one of the top 8 business conglomerates in South Korea.

SUMMARY

Qcells is seeking a Senior Procurement Specialist to support the sourcing, contracting, and execution of procurement activities related to high-voltage (HV) electrical substations and equipment. This role will support or own one or more major procurement categories such as transformers, breakers, or full substation EPC. The individual will work closely with engineering, project management, construction, legal, and finance to ensure cost-effective, timely, and risk-mitigated procurement. The Senior Procurement Specialist is responsible for conducting the purchasing and/or contracting process for assigned major equipment scopes (capacitor banks, high voltage circuit breakers, surge arrestors, transformers switchgear, etc.) from RFP to purchase order/contract execution, identifying new vendors and emerging technologies, maintaining a database of current vendors, supporting the pre-qualification process and monitoring vendor performance. Works closely with key vendors to support the organization's overall strategic objectives and ensure reliable material support and supply for projects. Delivers the successful operational procurement of assigned projects – ensuring all projects are fully supported by SCM and achieved target COD (Commercial Operations Date). This position reports to the Procurement Manager, or another management personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate. This position is located in Irvine, CA and working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time. This position is expected to travel up to 15%.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES

- Interact with key vendors in support of the Company's overall strategic goals

- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to issue necessary contracts for High-Voltage capital equipment (GSUs, Circuit Breakers, etc.), and other items as needed

- Perform vendor onboarding processes (including NDA and pre-qualification)

- Issue RFx’s, including, but not limited to the following

- Preparation of RFIs & RFPs to qualified vendors, including working with other functional groups to gather all required documents and data

- Determine and maintain bid schedules in accordance with project schedules

- Coordinate responses to bidder questions

- Review, compare, and evaluate vendor proposals with historical and market pricing to determine cost-competitive pricing and identify opportunities for cost savings

- Coordinating with High-Voltage procurement team to ensure collaboration and alignment with portfolio strategy and goals

- Support commercial negotiations for Master Services Agreements, project-specific agreements, etc., for key vendors in accordance with company policies and guidelines

- Integrate a working knowledge of Utility Scale Renewable complexities into RFP/contracting strategies (e.g., safe-harbor needs, domestic content requirements, IRA benefits timing, etc.) – collaborating with Manager and Director to define exact strategy, but is responsible for understanding and implementing

- Support the change order processes for vendors and other related contract management processes

- Perform the handover process to the Project Team, ensuring key contract terms, timelines, due dates, etc. are appropriately communicated

- Support Project Management Team as needed with contract information and input to resolve vendor disputes and/or issues, such as under-performance or scope gaps

- Coordinate with internal and external logistics providers to manage the movement of assets between projects and/or warehouse facilities

- Monitor vendor performance evaluation process and help create improvement processes based on lessons learned

- Maintain accurate and complete contracting records in accordance with record retention procedures

- Track and analyze market data and provide updates to leadership teams

- Identify, qualify & onboard new vendors

- Independently lead medium-to-large RFPs, contracting processes, and commercial negotiations with minimal oversight from management

- Own procurement workstreams for major scopes within large or complex projects, including cross-functional coordination and alignment with key internal stakeholders

- Identify and lead process improvement initiatives across tools, workflows, or documentation, and mentor more junior team members on procurement best practices

- Provide in-depth market intelligence and supplier strategy recommendations to category managers and procurement leadership, including vendor diversification and risk mitigation strategies

- Represent procurement in project kickoff or issue resolution meetings and lead direct vendor engagement for performance issues or escalations

- Contribute to strategic category planning efforts, savings pipeline tracking, and continuous improvement of sourcing playbooks and cost models

- Serve as an internal SME (subject matter expert) for at least one procurement process or system (e.g., SharePoint file management, contract version control, bid template standardization)

- Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position

- Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned by Management

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Bachelor's Degree required

- Minimum 3 – 4 years of experience in Contract Management and/or Procurement

- Preferred experience in utility-scale solar/renewable energy (e.g., >50MW) and/or construction field projects at a project size of over $30M in procurement of equipment/material

- Experience in capital equipment purchasing, contract management, and change order management

- Ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced, professional, team environment with minimal supervision

- Ability to prioritize tasks appropriately and in support of project schedules and other deadlines – not just following steps, but actively thinking of how to improve current state

- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

- Strong verbal and written communication skills

- Confident communicator with the ability to interact with people at all levels of the organization – proven ability to work cross-functionally and effectively manage up

- Experience in conducting supplier reviews and evaluations, and maintaining good business relationships

- Computer literacy with a professional knowledge on Microsoft office including, but not limited to, Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.

- Understanding of construction management software systems (Procore) and SAP, or proven ability to learn new software systems quickly

- Able to identify, investigate, and solve problems that arise in a timely manner

- Minimum 5 - 6 years of relevant and progressively responsible experience in procurement, sourcing, or category management – a demonstrated ability to lead sourcing efforts independently and contribute to strategic initiatives.

- Minimum 4 years of experience in utility-scale solar/renewable energy (e.g., >50MW) and/or construction field projects at a project size of over $30M in procurement of equipment/material

EXAMPLES OF PHYSICAL DEMANDS

- Stationary Position: frequently remains stationary up to 90% of the time and sitting up to 8 hours in a day

- Move/Traverse: infrequently bend, stand, stoop and/or walk

- Carry Weight: infrequently carry weight and/or lift objects (light to heavy) weighing up to 10 pounds

- Hearing and Speech: frequently communicates with the ability to hear and talk on a regular basis with employees, coworkers, and all personnel matters; must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations

- Sight: frequent use of sight to detect images on computer, office documents, and office objects near and far

- Climb: occasionally ascends/descends on stairway to get to office upper and lower floors

- Travel: up to 15% as needed

EXAMPLES OF WORK ENVIRONMENT

- Regular professional, office business setting

- Noise level ranges from low to moderate (if in office setting)

- Noise level ranges from moderate to high (if on construction worksite)

- Under the Office Mobilization Plan (OMP) policy, the role may transition to an onsite or hybrid arrangement, as determined by business needs and the Head of Department

SALARY RANGE FOR POSITION

The anticipated starting pay range of this position, which is to be located in Irvine, CA is $105,000 - $130,000 base salary per year.

This job position is specific to Qcells USA Corp. only and not any other Hanwha affiliates. The above-listed salary range is required by the California Pay Transparency Act and may differ depending on the location of those candidates hired nationwide. The salary range shared in the job description is for the listed position and only pertains to the candidate if they work in Irvine, CA. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to internal pay equity, skill set, education, licenses and certifications, geographic location, essential job duties and requirements, and the necessary experience relative to the job’s minimum qualifications. If candidates are considered for a nationwide role, then the compensation range will follow the marketability of the job function within those states. An additional discretionary bonus structure or incentives may be offered as part of the overall compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, dental, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Hanwha Qcells is proud to be an at-will Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination against race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status and any other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

It is important to note that the job descriptions provided by Qcells USA Corp are not intended to be comprehensive lists of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the positions. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice, reflecting our dynamic and evolving work environment.

We are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Hanwha Qcells will provide reasonable accommodations to all qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodations at hr-usa@qcells.com.

Nothing in this statement shall imply implicitly or explicitly a guarantee of employment outside our at-will employment opportunity.

This job position is specific to Qcells USA Corp. only and not any other Hanwha affiliates. The above-listed salary range is required by the California Pay Transparency Act and may differ depending on the location of those candidates hired nationwide. The salary range shared in the job description is for the listed position and only pertains to the candidate if they work in Irvine, CA. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to internal pay equity, skill set, education, licenses and certifications, geographic location, essential job duties and requirements, and the necessary experience relative to the job’s minimum qualifications. If candidates are considered for a nationwide role, then the compensation range will follow the marketability of the job function within those states. An additional discretionary bonus structure or incentives may be offered as part of the overall compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, dental, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

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