Global Planner II (Finished Goods)

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset. 

Basic Job Functions:

• Assure the world-wide delivery of finished products from global manufacturing facilities meets First Solar’s allocations, customer contracts and requirements (“Supply/Demand”) at the best weighted average cost of production and delivery.
• Analyze global capacity and demand.
• Allocate finished goods to global markets.
• Communicate plans and requirements to, and negotiate support from, First Solar organizations to assure timely product delivery at lowest overall delivered cost. 
• Key member of sales and operations planning team
• Drive manufacturing reforecast process. 

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain or business-related field; OR associate degree and minimum of 5 years’ experience in material planning function 
• APICS/ISM Certification preferred.
• 3-5 years’ experience in a supply chain function
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a manufacturing environment preferred. 
• Experience with commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures within Supply Chain.
• Experience with MRP concepts and one or more ERP systems (SAP preferred).

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Ability to work with little supervision on majority of tasks; may need support for more complicated issues.
• Ability to analyze data, recognize critical issues and drive solutions to resolve.
• Ability to seek/gather information from cross functional teams.
• Demonstrates strong collaboration with peers.
• Demonstrates ability to communicate cross functionally and globally. 
• Strong attention to detail
• Strong mathematical abilities
• Proficient use of all Microsoft Office suite programs
• Proficient in SAP and/or other ERP system functionality
• Proficient Knowledge of SAP and/or other ERP system functionality

Essential Responsibilities:

• Working with Customer Service, determine customer expectations based on existing contracts, changes in market conditions, and other related factors.
• Working with Plant Operations, project finished product production for up to five years.
• Communicate weekly, monthly and quarterly production plans and requirements to First Solar Supply Chain to identify material requirements to support production.
• Working with Logistics, optimize product delivery schedule, by product type and to specific customers, as well as logistics routes, to assure timely customer delivery at lowest overall delivered cost.
• Balance the actual output of finished product from First Solar manufacturing with customer expectations.
• Notify Customer Service of product availability, by customer, by efficiency, on a weekly basis and, working with operations and logistics, ensure shipments are planned and initiated.
• Document and maintain business processes for Planning.
• Provide similar support and structure to other First Solar businesses as required.
• Maintain effective communications levels and foster team building.
• Rely on experience and judgment with minimal direct supervision to plan and accomplish goals.
• Assure adherence to all First Solar processes and procedures, including ISO9000, ISO14000, safety, housekeeping, etc.
• May travel, including internationally, to support customers and operations.
• First Solar customers’ expectations are met or exceeded regarding delivery performance.
• Production plans are communicated to ensure internal organizations are lined up to support customer requirements.
• Failure to perform responsibilities will impact First Solar’s customer satisfaction, and, ultimately, financial performance.

Reporting Relationships:

• This position will report to the Global Planning Manager
• This position will not have direct reports.

Travel:

• Position requires ability for 10% travel.

Estimated Annual Salary Range:

• $58,000 - $80,000 Annual Salary Range

 

Office Physical Requirements:

All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting. In order to best service our customers, internal and external, all associates must be able to communicate face-to-face and on the phone with or without reasonable accommodation. First Solar is committed to compliance with its obligations under all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, it attempts to reasonably accommodate applicants and employees in accordance with the requirements of the disability discrimination laws. It also invites individuals with disabilities to parti