Director of Operations

Description

Title: Director of Operations

Department: Operation 1

Location: Teaneck, NJ

Supervisor: Sr Director of Construction

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Permanent, Full-Time

Work Status: Remote

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

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

The Director of Operations will be responsible for managing the development of operational processes, policies, and tools and managing key functional managers to support the operational execution aspects of our solar projects, from design and engineering review, through construction and commissioning, and project warranty claims. Field Operations Managers, General Superintendents, Tooling, Fleet and Equipment Management, Electrical Commissioning and Testing, Project Warranty, and Craft Training will all be functions directly managed by the Director of Operations. They will also lead and mentor teams of construction execution personnel including construction managers, superintendents, general foreman/foreman, and other key construction support roles, ensuring that our projects are delivered on time, within budget, and with the highest quality standards. They will also work closely with the senior management, construction commercial management, procurement, IT, and legal teams to align the operational strategy with the company’s vision and goals. The Director of Operations will also be a responsible member of the hiring committee for the personnel to support business functions and on-site construction management and execution.

To be successful in this role, you should have extensive experience in the solar industry, with a proven track record of managing large-scale and complex projects. You should have extensive mechanical and electrical trade and safety knowledge. You should also have strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as a passion for renewable energy and innovation. This position reports to the Senior Director of Construction, or another management personnel that the Head of Department or the CEO of the Company may designate. This position is expected to travel up to 50%.

Essential Job Function & Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the construction management and execution teams in the successful build-out of solar PV and battery storage solutions in the Americas, which includes the USA, Canada, and Latin America with a key focus on safety and driving incident rates lower continuously.
• Adapt and replicate best industry practices to create a highly competitive EPC organization.
• Develop and implement operational processes, policies, and tools to support the execution of projects.
• Be accountable for developing and successfully executing cost-reduction programs through the optimization of people, processes, technologies, and execution strategies.
• Cooperation with the Engineering team to improve design efficiency and constructability in terms of cost reduction through value engineering efficient execution practices; and to resolve technical issues on site.
• Work closely with both internal Project Control and Commercial Management teams and our USS and Development teams to successfully bid and win large-scale ground-mount PV power plants.
• Provide construction expertise and insight to accurately gauge project potential and highlight key risk areas.
• Manage day-to-day operations through an effective action-oriented approach and provide senior-level mentorship and leadership· to employees within the EPC organization.
• Manage key functional managers, including Field Operations Managers, General Superintendents, Tooling, Fleet and Equipment Management, Electrical Commissioning and Testing, Project Warranty, and Craft Training.
• Participating in the hiring committee for personnel to support business functions and on-site construction management and execution.
• Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned by Senior Management.
• Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• At least 10 years of experience in an operational management role in renewable construction, or another related field.
• Extensive track record of successfully building large-scale solar power plants preferably in the Americas, and a demonstrated track record of delivering results from design and engineering to construction and commissioning.
• Knowledge of the solar market, technologies, regulations, and standards
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, project management software, and other relevant tools
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of all phases of the solar PV power plant construction execution, including means and methods of installation of the leading manufacturers in the industry.
• Have insight to highlight key risk factors and advise EPC cost estimates.
• Solid experience with current solar EPC tools and processes and remain current on best practices and trends in the industry.
• Demonstrated track record of initiating programs that lead to significant cost reduction and/or performance improvement.
• Understanding of solar module manufacturing and O&M experience is a plus
• Capability to interact with leadership cross-culturally, both within and outside the organization
• Have both a long-term strategic perspective and near-term action orientation, and a strong desire to continuously improve and push limits.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong team player with a high degree of professionalism in which one conducts self at all times.
• Willingness to travel as required.
  
  

EXAMPLE 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 40% as needed
  
  

EXAMPLE 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
  
  

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.