Vendor Audit and Escalation Specialist

The Company:

Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd. (“Sungrow”) is a global leading PV inverter and ESS provider with 515 GW of power electronic converters installed worldwide as of December 2023. Founded in 1997 by University Professor Cao Renxian, Sungrow leaders in the research and development of solar inverters with the largest dedicated R&D team in the industry and a broad product portfolio offering PV inverter solutions and ESS for utility-scale, commercial & industrial, and residential applications, as well as internationally recognized floating PV plant solutions, NEV driving solutions, EV charging solutions, and renewable hydrogen production systems. With a strong 27-year track record in the PV space, Sungrow products power in 170 countries and regions worldwide. For more information about Sungrow, visit: www.sungrowpower.com.

Responsibilities:

This role involves performing both remote and on-site audits across the USA, working closely with the vendor operations and compliance team to address any gaps, and implementing improvements to strengthen vendor partnerships. The specialist will also develop and maintain an escalation process, helping to resolve high-impact issues and ensuring all compliance requirements are met. The Vendor Compliance & Escalation Specialist focuses on reactive compliance management and resolution of escalated issues that threaten service consistency or contractual compliance. This role will also be responsible for developing and maintaining a structured escalation process to address vendor disputes, performance issues, and compliance violations. This position requires a proactive approach to identifying and resolving challenges before they escalate and a reactive approach when issues require immediate intervention.

• Conduct comprehensive audits remotely and onsite to ensure vendors meet compliance standards and adhere to company policies. Identify compliance gaps and work with vendors to resolve them.
• Perform detailed reviews of vendor documentation, service delivery records, and contract terms to identify discrepancies or non-compliance issues.
• Travel up to 30% (minimum of 8 days per month) to perform on-site audits and inspections across vendor locations.
• Develop and continuously improve a structured escalation process for managing vendor disputes, performance issues, and compliance violations. Ensure it is well-documented and followed by both internal teams and vendors.
• Serve as the first point of contact for high-impact, time-sensitive vendor issues, managing complex cases that require senior leadership intervention. Ensure timely resolution and minimal service disruption while maintaining clear communication with stakeholders.
• Document audit findings, escalation cases, and follow-up actions; maintain a comprehensive audit trail for accountability and traceability.
• Analyze audit results and escalation trends to identify recurring compliance issues or systemic problems. Generate regular reports for senior management, including key findings, ongoing issues, and recommendations for process improvements.
• Use data from audits and escalations to inform proactive strategies and drive continuous improvement in vendor management.
• Review and update compliance policies, procedures, and escalation protocols in response to evolving industry standards, regulatory changes, and company policies.
• Stay informed on emerging compliance trends, best practices, and regulatory changes to ensure company policies remain current and effective.
• Collaborate with internal teams (compliance, operations, legal) to align vendor management strategies and address high-priority issues.
• Foster strong vendor relationships and ensure smooth communication to minimize the likelihood of future escalations.
• Support the training and development of internal teams and vendors on compliance expectations and escalation procedures.

Education or Desired Licenses and Certificates:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Operations, Compliance, or a related field. OR
• Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP) – Demonstrates knowledge in compliance, ethics, and regulations, enhancing credibility in vendor compliance oversight.
• Certified Risk Management Professional (CRMP) – Helps develop expertise in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks, particularly in vendor management.
• OSHA or Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Certification – If auditing vendors in certain industries, certifications related to safety compliance can be beneficial.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to conduct thorough vendor audits and inspections to assess compliance with established standards and regulations.
• Skilled in designing and implementing structured escalation processes, ensuring timely and efficient resolution of vendor issues.
• Strong ability to analyze compliance audit data, identify trends, and use insights to drive improvements in vendor management practices.
• High attention to detail in documenting findings, tracking compliance metrics, and maintaining organized records of vendor communications and audit results.
• In-depth understanding of industry regulations and best practices related to vendor compliance, ensuring policies are current and effective.
• Ability to provide training and support to internal teams and vendors on compliance standards, escalation procedures, and best practices.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of managing vendor relationships, providing clear reports to senior management, and ensuring alignment between internal teams and vendors.
• Strong problem-solving abilities in addressing vendor non-compliance and performance issues, ensuring swift corrective actions are taken to resolve disputes and mitigate risks.

Travel:

• Upwards of 30% / 8 days per month

Work Location and Status:

• Full time, Hybrid position – location in Texas
• No visa/legal sponsorship

Compensation:

• Compensation commensurate with experience
• Competitive benefits package and employee programs
• Strong personal and company growth opportunities

For candidates in the states of California, Colorado, New York and Washington, the anticipated annual base salary for this role is between $50,000 - $95,000 This range does not include any other compensation components or other benefits that an individual may be eligible for. The base salary offered is dependent upon several factors, including but not limited to job-related skills, qualifications, experience, education, location, or other factors related to the role.

Sungrow is an equal opportunity employer. Due to strong interests in this position, Sungrow will only reach out to those candidates who best meet the requirements. Thank you for your interest in Sungrow.