Director, Purchasing & Procurement

Description

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Director of Purchasing & Procurement will own sourcing strategy, supplier development, and material procurement for Hanwha Qcells America's renewable energy system businesses, including residential Energy Storage Systems (ESS), microinverters, and battery products manufactured through U.S.-based EMS/contract manufacturing partners. Reporting to the VP, Head of ES Business Planning & Operations, this leader will set the multi-year domestic sourcing strategy across key commodity categories such as enclosures, wire harnesses, cables, semiconductors, passive components, and battery cells, packs, and modules, and will build the U.S. supplier base required to scale production. The Director will establish the procurement operating model, governance, and KPI framework for the U.S. business; lead and grow a team of sourcing and buying professionals; and personally lead the highest-value commercial negotiations, including master supply agreements, pricing frameworks, and long-term capacity commitments with EMS partners and tier-one battery suppliers. As the executive-level procurement counterpart to the Korea-based System Procurement organization, the Director will align global sourcing decisions with U.S. production requirements, serve as the primary procurement voice with EMS manufacturing partners, and safeguard material availability for production operations in Auburn Hills, Michigan while delivering sustained, structural cost reduction through category strategy, supplier consolidation, and supply chain design. The candidate will need to be located in Auburn Hills Michigan. Travel domestic and International up to 20%.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Own the multi-year procurement and sourcing strategy for the Global EMS Operation, translating the business and product roadmap into category strategies for residential ESS, microinverters, and battery systems. Build, lead, and develop the U.S. procurement team — setting objectives, defining roles, coaching sourcing managers and buyers, and creating the headcount and capability plan required to scale with the business. Own total managed spend across all assigned commodities; set annual cost-reduction targets and deliver against them through category strategy, should-cost analysis, supplier consolidation, and design-to-cost partnership with engineering. Establish and scale a resilient U.S.-based supplier network across enclosures, wire harnesses, cables, semiconductors, passive electronic components, and battery cells, packs, and modules, including dual-source and domestic-content strategies. Personally lead the highest-value commercial negotiations: master supply agreements, long-term pricing and capacity commitments, tooling and NRE, NDAs, and LOIs with EMS partners and tier-one suppliers. Serve as the executive procurement interface to the Korea-based System Procurement organization, aligning global sourcing decisions, supplier selections, and commercial terms with U.S. production requirements. Define the procurement operating model and governance for the U.S. business — approval thresholds, RFQ/RFP standards, supplier qualification and onboarding gates, contract lifecycle management, and compliance controls. Own supply risk across the portfolio: build early-warning visibility into multi-tier supply, set inventory and buffer strategy with operations, and lead contingency and recovery plans that protect production continuity. Establish the procurement KPI and reporting framework (cost savings/PPV, supplier on-time delivery, quality performance, lead time, and risk exposure) and report performance to executive leadership on a regular cadence. Partner with engineering and product teams on New Product Introduction (NPI), securing supplier capacity and qualification against launch timelines and influencing design decisions to improve cost, availability, and manufacturability. Lead executive-level supplier business reviews and drive structured supplier performance management and development, including exit and transition plans where warranted. Deliver commodity and market intelligence to leadership — pricing trends, capacity and allocation dynamics, tariff and trade exposure, and the emerging supplier landscape — and translate it into buy, timing, and sourcing decisions. Partner with legal, trade compliance, and finance on domestic content, trade, and federal incentive program requirements as they affect sourcing and supplier selection. Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, operations, quality, finance, and logistics to ensure procurement strategy supports production, margin, and working capital objectives. Travel domestic and International up to 20%.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred. 10+ years of progressive experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or supply chain management within a manufacturing environment, including a minimum of 3 – 5 years leading and developing teams. Demonstrated ownership of significant annual managed spend, with a documented record of year-over-year structural cost reduction. Experience building or substantially scaling a procurement function, supplier base, or category organization — not solely administering an established one. Broad multi-commodity depth spanning electronic components, mechanical and enclosure parts, and battery materials. Proven ability to lead complex, high-value commercial negotiations — master supply agreements, long-term pricing, and capacity commitments — within a multi-tiered supply chain. Experience working in or directly with EMS (Electronics Manufacturing Services) / CM (Contract Manufacturing) partners, including managing procurement through a contract manufacturing model. Track record operating effectively in a global matrix, including alignment with an overseas headquarters; experience with U.S.–Korea or U.S.–Asia corporate structures strongly preferred. Executive presence, with demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and present to executive leadership. Strong analytical, financial, and project management capabilities, including should-cost and total-cost-of-ownership modeling. Demonstrated ability to hire, coach, and retain procurement talent in a competitive market.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Direct experience at an EMS/CM company, or leading procurement in close partnership with EMS manufacturing partners. Battery procurement leadership (cells, packs, modules) with established senior-level relationships at major battery manufacturers (e.g., LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, CATL, or equivalent). Background in the renewable energy industry, including solar PV, residential ESS, or power conversion and microinverter products. Familiarity with U.S. domestic content, tariff and trade, and federal incentive considerations (e.g., Section 45X, FEOC requirements) as they influence sourcing decisions. Experience standing up or scaling U.S. manufacturing and supply operations, including new site or new program launch. Relevant professional certification in procurement or supply chain: CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management), CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional), CPM, or equivalent. Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and procurement tools (SAP, Oracle, or equivalent), including experience implementing or improving procurement systems and processes. Experience with Lean / Six Sigma methodologies (Green Belt or Black Belt preferred). Master's degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration (MBA), or Engineering.

COMPENSATION:

In accordance with applicable pay transparency laws, the anticipated annual base salary for this position is: Zone 1 (Bay Area, NYC): $208,100 – $234,100 Zone 2 (CA, NJ, NY): $190,700 – $214,600 Zone 3 (All others): $173,400 – $195,100 The applicable salary range is based on the employee’s primary work location. Individual compensation will be determined based on qualifications, relevant experience, education, skills, internal equity, and other business-related factors. Hanwha Q CELLS America Inc. (“HQCA”) is a Qcells company, one of the world's largest manufacturers and providers of solar photovoltaic (PV) products and solutions. Headquartered in Irvine, California, HQCA has been rapidly expanding its business in North America through the expansion of products and solutions, including distributed energy solutions, direct-to-homeowner solar sales and financing, and EPC services. We provide an opportunity to be part of an exciting and growing world-class global business in an interesting and expanding industry of the future.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL & ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:

To comply with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the essential physical, mental and environmental requirements for this job are listed below. These are requirements normally expected to perform regular job duties. Incumbent must be able to successfully perform all of the functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. Mobility: 20% of time Standing: 20% of time Sitting: 70% of time Walking: 10% of time Strength: Pulling up to 10 lbs, Pushing up to 10 lbs, Carrying up to 10 lbs, Lifting up to 10 lbs Dexterity (F = Frequently, O = Occasionally, N = Never) Typing: F Handling: F Reaching: F Agility (F = Frequently, O = Occasionally, N = Never) Turning: F Twisting: F Bending: O Crouching: O Balancing: N Climbing: N Crawling: N Kneeling: N The salary range is required by the California Pay Transparency Act and may differ depending on the location of those candidates hired nationwide. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to, skill set, education, licenses and certifications, essential job duties and requirements, and the necessary experience relative to the job’s minimum qualifications. This target salary range is for CA positions only and should not be interpreted as an offer of compensation. You may view your privacy rights by reviewing Qcells' Privacy Policy or by contacting our HR team for a copy. #J-18808-Ljbffr Qcells USA Corp.