Senior Manager-Origination BD (Remote - Western US) at First Solar Development 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 sales department seeks candidates who believe in our mission of providing cost-advantaged solar technology through innovation, customer engagement, industry leadership and operational excellence. First Solar’s sales team is responsible for building sales and revenue generation by leveraging the company’s differentiated products and industry-leading execution capabilities. Their mission is to engage customers, service their needs and win their business and trust, all while working collaboratively across First Solar functions to create innovative offerings to support First Solar’s growth, profitability and liquidity goals.

The sales team looks for motivated individuals to engage the market with products, systems and services that meet our customers’ renewable energy needs and continuously look for ways to improve processes to help us lead the world’s sustainable energy future.

Job Title: Senior Manager-Origination BD-USA

Reports To: Director-Origination BD USA

Job Status: Exempt

Job Profile Summary:

The Senior Manager, US BD is responsible for the sales contracting for services with customers and sales channels in the US solar market including financial, Investor Owned Utility (IOU), Independent Power Producer (IPP), Public Power utility sectors, integrators, installers or other sales channels.

Basic Job Functions:

The Senior Manager will work closely with a defined set of clients to originate product sales.    This candidate must have a strong understanding of the solar industry participants, potential sales volume channels, the NA power industry, project finance market and capability to utilize that understanding to secure sales from their clients in the US region.  The candidate must be able to successfully structure sales within a satisfactory risk/reward posture for First Solar.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with guidance from their Director. The individual must demonstrate advanced problem solving skills; lead advanced/senior cross-function teams; and demonstrated autonomy in essential job functions. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Experience:    

• Experience in sourcing and structuring sales transactions to enable module sales, equipment sales, EPC sales and other volume creation.


• Demonstrated experience in sourcing and building strong industry and customer relationships


• Minimum of 7 years of sales or origination experience in the power industry and/or renewable energy market sector, preferred.


• Minimum of 2 years leadership/management experience


• Relationships with utilities in the Midwest or West, preferred

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree, advanced degree preferred

Required Skills:

• LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS
  In addition to the job experience outlined above the individual most be capable of and possess the ability to:
  1. Analyze and interpret business journals, financial reports, legal contracts and other documents as required to perform the job requirements .
  2. Responding to common inquiries or complaints from customers, employees or regulatory agencies as necessary.
  3. Prepare written communications to a prescribed style and format.
  4. Effectively present information to management, peers and subordinates, as well as outside parties including other industry professionals and trade groups.


• MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
  The individual is required to possess strong mathematical and analytical skills


• REASONING ABILITY
  The individual is required to possess the ability to clearly and rapidly define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Cleary be able to interpret an extensive variety of instructions in written and verbal form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables


• TECHNICAL SKILLS
  Strength in the use of personal computers, Microsoft Office Suite, Access, PowerPoint, email, internet browsers and electrical engineering software programs


• WORK ENVIRONMENT
  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Originate sales contracts with new  and existing customer relationships or sale channels

• Support development of the long term strategic plan for sourcing volume and bookings for the US business
  • Develop sales plan (long-term/strategic and short term) for region or market segment
  
  

• Product Sales:
  
  
  • Deliver presentations to customers and FSLR senior staff
  
  
  • Develop trusted professional relationships with each customer
  
  
  • Support business development efforts and RFP responses
  
  
  • Resolve commercial matters/first point of customer service
  
  
  • Source new volume channels for module, equipment and EPC and O&M services
  
  
  • Investigate new market segments and assess viability for First Solar products
  
  
  
  


• Project Acquisitions:
  
  
  • Source acquisition opportunities from knowledge of industry pipeline or industry presence
  
  
  • Screen opportunities from a financial and development viability perspective
  
  
  • Lead initial structuring of transaction to secure LOI and work with Commercial Director or Managers to facilitate transaction
  
  
  
  


• Competitive Analysis:
  
  
  • Support competitive analysis and pricing structures through securing competitive pricing and a deep understanding of competitor products and offerings
  
  
  • Secure front line market intelligence and communicate to the broader organization
  
  
  • Monitor progress of transactions from origination through contract execution
  
  
  
  


• Knowledge/technical proficiency:
  
  
  • Financial markets participants, structures, pricing trends
  
  
  • Understanding and communication of FS modules, system designs and technical performance & FS product advances
  
  
  • Be current with FS competitor offerings and gather competitive intelligence
  
  
  • Current in all customer, industry, gov’t affairs and regulatory policy/news
  
  
  • FSLR commercial/legal offerings
  
  
  • Assist Marcom (corporate marketing and communication) on the development of marketing collateral including press releases, articles, and technical papers. Support press events, conference exhibit participation
  
  
  
  


• Job description subject to change at anytime


• Other duties assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• He/she is expected to positively impact and contribute to the performance of the company through leadership and supervision of individuals assigned to him or her in corporate or transaction setting; typical direct reports will include Analyst(s) and Origination Manager(s).
   

Travel:

• This position also requires the ability and willingness to travel by automobile, train and airline, both domestic and international


• Perrysburg, OH base preferred, remote office work possible with access to major airport hub, 10-20% travel expected

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.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.

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 and 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.