Senior Field Operations Manager

Department: Operations 1

Location: Ankeny, IA

Supervisor: Director of Operations

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Permanent/Full-time

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

SENIOR FIELD OPERATIONS MANAGER

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 successful Senior Field Operations Manager will lead a team of Site Managers and General Superintendents through planning, execution, and commissioning a portfolio of utility-level solar power generation facilities. This position reports to the Director of Operations, or another management personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate. This position is in Ankeny, IA and working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time. Overtime and weekend working hours will be required as needed. 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.
• Identify, interview, and hire key execution personnel, including Foremen, General Foremen, Superintendents, General Superintendents, Site Managers, and Field Operations Managers.
• Conduct bid reviews, perform estimating, manage preconstruction activities, and carry out thorough site investigations.
• Assist in cross departmental management and policy development i.e. Fleet and Equipment, Quality, Safety, and Training/Compliance departments.
• 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. battery energy storage facilities, and transmission/distribution networks.
• 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.
• Design and oversee training programs to ensure compliance with established methods and safe work practices.
• Survey the project craft plan, including labor, equipment and material & subcontractor selection, for all assigned solar projects.
• Guide and participate in project kick-off and alignment meetings as necessary.
• Analyze departmental activities to evaluate and enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Review project schedules, provide feedback during initial planning, monitor adherence, and manage changes throughout the project lifecycle.
• Assess manpower requirements and execution plans across all projects.
• Provide regular feedback and guidance to project leadership regarding resource management.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of all contractual obligations for the project portfolio and document any variances.
• Provide consistent and exemplary leadership to ensure successful project delivery.
• Champion the highest standards of quality, health, safety, and environmental compliance across all projects.
• Support project site teams by ensuring thorough review of drawings and documentation prior to task commencement.
• Foster and maintain strong client relationships.
• Uphold and enforce Qcells’ company policies for operations personnel across the organization.
• Drive innovation in project execution and management processes.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and implement best practices to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Required Qualifications

• 10-15 years experience in supervisory roles
• An electrical trades background is preferred.
• Proven track record in a leadership role on large projects
• Experience dealing with subcontracts and subcontractors
• Minimum of 5 years of solar specific professional experience managing the performance of major projects
• Manage expectations with clients to ensure project success while forging lasting relationships with the client to promote repeat business.
• Construction safety awareness and comprehension
• Knowledge of the solar market, technologies, regulations, and standards
• Have insight to highlight key risk factors and advise EPC cost estimates
• Conflict management skills
• Multi-tasking ability (prioritize, organize, schedule work)
• Problem-solving skills (identify, analyze, research, evaluate, resolve)
• Knowledge of cost code labor productivity systems
• Demonstrated ability in managing utility-level power generation system install projects: development, planning, installation and execution
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, project management software, and other relevant tools
• Fluent in written and spoken English; other language skills are a plus
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Have both a long-term strategic perspective and near-term action orientation, and a strong desire to continuously improve and push limits
• Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple tasks and deadlines
• Ability to travel, up to 50% of the time

EXAMPLES 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 50% as needed

EXAMPLES 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)

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.