Fulfillment Service Representative I at First Solar Inc in Tempe, Arizona

Job Description:

Our high growth and leadership position in the renewable energy business offers outstanding opportunities to individuals seeking an exciting work environment in one of the most important industries for 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, as well as a provider of complete solar generation solutions for U.S. utilities. Our culture is one where teamwork, continuous improvement, achievement of results, and environmental responsibility are core values. We are seeking new associates who are motivated to contribute their talents to making cost-effective solar energy an important part of the world’s energy mix.

Primary Job Functions:

We’re changing the world. Let us start with yours.

First Solar’s supply chain department seeks candidates who believe in our mission of providing cost-advantaged solar technology through innovation, customer engagement, industry leadership and operational excellence. Global Supply Chain plays a vital role to ensure that First Solar functions at optimal capacity while delivering cost-advantage solar technology to our customers on time, every time. Through their expertise in developing and executing strategies, our global supply chain team strives for operational excellence by building competitive infrastructures, leveraging worldwide logistics, developing supplier relationships and synchronizing supply with demand across our global operations.

The supply chain team looks for dynamic individuals who will bring a mix of analytical and problem solving skills as well as strong communication skills to succeed in our highly collaborative and cross-functional team environment and are motivated to help us lead the world’s sustainable energy future.

Basic Job Functions:

The Fulfillment Service Representative is the day-to-day interface between the external customer and internal operational functions to make sure modules deliveries run smoothly. (i.e. Global Business Development, Order Execution, Billing, Logistics, Accounting, Treasury, Global Technical Service…) This individual is responsible for accurate and timely execution of internal processes as required by sales agreements and corporate compliance and controls.  Additionally, duties could include performing tasks related to supporting the order-to-cash process, as required to stay on pace with the business’s needs to achieve maximum internal and external customer satisfaction. 

This position can be located in Tempe, Arizona OR work remotely anywhere in the United States.

Experience:    

• A minimum of 1+ year(s) of experience in a customer interfacing position, regularly managing orders of at least $1 MM or more on an annual basis


• ERP experience within the order-to-cash process strongly preferred

Education:

• B.A. degree in Business, Technical or Legal related field preferred but not essential with equivalent work experience

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Aptitude to quickly learn new business applications and business processes


• Strong ability to communicate fluently both verbally and in writing, in English, effectively throughout multiple levels of the organization, as well as externally.    Organize and facilitate effective and efficient meetings.


• Business acumen, along with strong organizational and risk assessment skills, and demonstrated time management ability


• Possess strong interpersonal skills in order to gain the willing cooperation of others, both internal and external, to resolve problems quickly and move the team forward in order to deliver on commitments to customers


• Ability to read, interpret, and execute verbal and written guidance to and from compliance staff, including sales order documentation, and company procedures with minimal supervision


• Proficient use of computer systems and software, in particular: SAP, Microsoft Office Applications, Microsoft Share Point, internet based portals, file management programs, and email systems


• Basic project management skills including budget adherence and cost control measures


• Solution oriented, self-starter that can succeed working independently in a highly dynamic environment


• Demonstrated success in customer service and satisfaction

Essential Responsibilities:

• Interpret basic contractual requirements into actionable work streams


• Be the liaison between all relevant parties (External Customer, Customer Agents or 3rd Parties, and Internal FS teams) for the purpose of ensuring that sales orders and agreements are fulfilled accurately, while providing highest levels of customer service


• Work with technical, sales, procurement, order execution and other teams as necessary for the purpose of reviewing schedules, identifying, preventing and/or resolving issues with fulfilling sales orders on time and under budget all while meeting the contract deliverables


• Regularly recall,  summarize and communicate vital data to project teams proactively


• Establish regular working rhythms to encourage proactive communication and information flow with External Customers, related to project fulfillment.  Independently organize, arrange and execute successful meetings of relevant and timely communication.  When necessary, this may include travel to customer, vendor, and First Solar locations for those meetings and to carry out assignments.


• Maintain proactively up to date contractual records and documentation such as receipt and control of all contract correspondence, customer contact information, contractual changes, status reports and other documents for all projects


• Work with project team members to update schedules to accommodate changes in project plans


• Work with internally relevant teams in order to support their work related to period end closing cycles to ensure maintenance of optimal product delivery timing to support customer contracts, while following all contractual obligations and compliance procedures (customer interface, documentation preparation, etc.) as well as , SOx reporting, quarter and annual close processes, and other support as requested


• Evaluate and propose successful customer outcomes while demonstrating an understanding of financial impact on projects assigned in order to maintain cost & risk vs. reward balance


• Throughout day-to-day performance of duties, adhere and document adherence to all corporate and compliance related policies (Scope of Authority, SOx, etc.)


• Successfully support the company’s order to cash processes as business needs dictate, through a variety of tasks as assigned


• Propose operational improvements or systemic enhancements that will increase efficiency or service, and create a Best in Class customer experience


• Demonstrate successful performance of role through meeting or exceeding departmental targets related to industry standard project execution metrics (including, but not limited to, timeliness, accuracy and customer service)


• Assist with project closeout, including providing required documentation and formal turnover to GCSS (Warranty) department. 


• Other duties as assigned


• Job Description is subject to change at any time

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to Global Contract Fulfillment Manager


• Has no direct reports

Travel:

• 0-10% of the time

US Physical Requirements:

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 participate in a good faith, interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made without imposing an undue hardship.

Potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role.   All candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully complete a background check band any other tests that may be required.      

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: First Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.