Associate Director of EPC Warranties

Hanwha Q CELLS USA Corp (“HQC US”) develops, invests, and delivers solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage systems (BESS) projects through Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC) services in North America.
The company brings a decade of global leadership in solar PV to deliver utility-scale power generation plants customized for local and regional energy markets. HQC US offers the full spectrum of PV solutions – from the core technology of cells and modules to large-scale project development and investment. With proven capabilities across the solar and battery storage value chain, HQC US minimizes uncertainty and risk and helps customers achieve a higher return on their investment in renewable energy.
This position reports to the Director of EHSQ, or another management personnel that the President of the Company may designate. This position is located in Irvine (or remote) 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 40%.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• The candidate will be responsible for all aspects of the warranty program, utilizing a cross-functional leadership style working closely with internal teams such as Construction, Engineering, and Purchasing as well externally with OEMs who have supplied equipment and subcontractor for workmanship claims.  This role is based out preferably out of the Irvine, California office but we will consider remote candidates. There are requirements for travel, as necessary across projects in the warranty stage.
• The candidates shall have adequate technical & commercial aptitudes and be able to understand what constitutes legitimate warranty claims and technical issues faced by the completed projects.
• Lead the design, development, and continuous improvement of processes to track warranty claims and related KPIs.
• Designs strategies to minimize the overall cost of warranty claims.
• Leads the deployment of upstream warranty requirements into downstream contracts.
• Provide management expertise and insight to accurately mitigate risks associated with warranties;
• Handles or oversees and provides support to manage warranty claims, from initiation to closeout.
• Interprets contract language to understand Contractors and Vendors responsibilities related to equipment and workmanship.
• Obtain thorough understanding and maintaining of QCELLS USA EPC warranty obligations to each customer and developing a collaborative relationship.
• Ability to find creative solutions to complex problems
• Reviews and analyzes contract records to advice technical and Commercial SMEs to determine legitimacy of claims.
• Coordinates clarifications and closure with contractors and OEMs on warranty related queries, in timely manner.
• Supports integration of Company systems to track, monitor and control costs of warranty claims.
• Oversees the warranty claims reporting by creating and maintaining a database of all claims.
• Prepares dashboard reports and recommendations for progressing warranty claims along with KPIs and advises team on data-driven decision making.
• Ensures accurate utilization of approved systems for document control and updates of warranty claims and repairs.
• Leads the communications with owner, projects, and HQ for identifying, monitoring, and resolving warranty claims.
• Interfaces with legal counsels as appropriate.
• Supports continuous improvement initiatives.
• Create cost of claim closure financial estimates; risk and opportunity management
• Negotiate, draft and execute end of warranty settlements
• See through the execution of any QCELLS USA EPC warranty obligations alongside team members
• Performs additional assignments as required, for EHSQ support.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Contract management experience
• Experience working in cross-functional teams
• Proficiency in Microsoft software suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Strong oral and written communication skills directed at both internal executives and external customers
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university and 7+ years of experience or 13+ years of experience managing claims or utility-scale solar/renewable energy.
• Ability and desire to negotiate warranty claims with internal and external customers
• Prior experience in the legal, engineering, warranty management, solar industry experience
• Proven team player and collaborator with various levels of corporate structures
• Successful track record of operating commercially and executing plans effectively
• Ability to effectively present information internally and externally
• Proven experience working in fast paced, high visibility environment
• Travel Required: up to 40%
• Prior customer