Associate Director of Fleet & Equipment

Department: SP Construction

Location: Irvine, CA

Supervisor: Director of Operations

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Permanent, Full-Time

Work Status (Remote/Hybrid/In-Office): Hybrid

Associate Director of Fleet & Equipment

Hanwha Qcells USA Corp (“HQC US”) develops, invests, and delivers solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage systems (BESS) projects through Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC) services in North America.

The company brings a decade of global leadership in solar PV to deliver utility-scale power generation plants customized for local and regional energy markets. HQC US offers the full spectrum of PV solutions – from the core technology of cells and modules to large-scale project development and investment. With proven capabilities across the solar and battery storage value chain, HQC US minimizes uncertainty and risk, and helps customers achieve a higher return on their investment in renewable energy.

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 Associate Director of Fleet and Equipment role is pivotal in managing the construction team’s extensive equipment and tooling assets, focusing on the Solar self-perform. This position demands a blend of strategic planning, operational excellence, and leadership to ensure our equipment fleet supports project demands efficiently and effectively. This position reports to the Director of Operations, or another management personnel that the President of the Company may designate. This employment opportunity is eligible for remote work; however, Hybrid or Onsite work may be required for candidates residing within a commutable distance to any of our corporate offices and working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time. This position is expected to travel up to 10%.

Essential Job Function & Responsibilities

• Strategic Vendor and Supplier Management:

• Lead the evaluation, selection, and setup of new vendors and suppliers.
• Participate as a key stakeholder in contract negotiations, ensuring terms align with company objectives and regulatory compliance.

• Oversee maintenance of meticulous records for all owned, leased, and rented equipment.
• Develop and implement systems for tracking equipment utilization, maintenance schedules, and lifecycle management to optimize ROI.
• Manage key supplier accounts for precise invoicing and collaborate with Project Accounting, and Accounts Payable departments to streamline financial operations.
• Responsible for creating new SKUs, asset numbers, and managing department credit accounts.

• Champion the development of new processes and technologies to increase productivity and efficiency within the fleet and equipment management lifecycle.
• Lead initiatives on statistical modeling, forecasting, and predictive analysis to enhance equipment readiness and availability.

• Directly manage a team of Fleet, Equipment, and Tooling managers, general and specialty mechanics.
• Train and mentor new and existing team members on best practices in fleet and equipment management and maintenance
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, safety, and quality within the team.
• Work closely with project teams, commercial management, and risk management to provide necessary reporting and support.
• Address and resolve any invoicing or billing discrepancies in partnership with vendors and various internal stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in fleet or equipment management, with a strong preference for experience in the solar or related industries.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Office, and Outlook. Experience with database systems and fleet and equipment management software.
• Exceptional organizational, negotiation, and communication skills. A proven track record of leadership and the ability to work collaboratively across departments.
• 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.

SALARY RANGE FOR POSITION

The anticipated starting pay range of this position, which is to be Irvine, CA, is $150,000 – $170,000 base salary per year.

The above-listed salary range is required by the California Pay Transparency Act and may differ depending on the location of those candidates hired nationwide. The salary range shared in the job description is for the listed position. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to internal pay equity, skill set, education, licenses and certifications, geographic location, essential job duties and requirements, and the necessary experience relative to the job’s minimum qualifications. An additional discretionary bonus structure or incentives may be offered as part of the overall compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, dental, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

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 10% as needed

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)

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.

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 [email protected].

Nothing in this statement shall imply implicitly or explicitly a guarantee of employment outside our at-will employment opportunity.