Senior BESS Procurement Manager

Qcells is seeking a Senior BESS Procurement Manager to evaluate and procure battery energy storage systems. The role requires expertise in BESS, EPC, and electrical engineering, and involves collaboration with engineering teams to align technical specifications with procurement strategies. The position is hybrid, based in San Francisco, CA, and includes travel up to 30%. Working hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm.
Description

Title: Senior BESS Procurement Manager
Department: SCM – BESS Procurement
Location: San Francisco, CA
Supervisor: Head of SCM
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Permanent, Full-time

Work Status: Hybrid

SENIOR BESS PROCUREMENT 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

We are seeking an experienced Senior BESS Procurement Manager to evaluate, select, and procure battery energy storage system (BESS) solutions. This role requires expertise in BESS, EPC, and electrical engineering to ensure the acquisition of optimal products that meet project requirements both technically and commercially. The ideal candidate possesses a strong understanding of battery technologies, inverters, transformers, energy management systems (EMS), and site operations such as installation, integration, and commissioning. This role focuses on assessing various battery technologies, selecting the best fit for each project, and understanding how renewable energy sources like PV interact with storage systems. This position involves collaborating with engineers to align technical specifications with procurement strategy while leading communication across Engineering, System Integration, and Project Management teams. A deep knowledge of the BESS market, products, and suppliers is essential to driving effective procurement strategies and supporting innovation in energy storage solutions. This position reports to the Head of SCM, or another management personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate. This position is Hybrid and is based out of San Francisco, CA 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 30%.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES
• Understand the roles and responsibilities of the team. Understand may be given new responsibilities by team leader or members and may share in the responsibilities of other team members. However, the roles and responsibilities of each individual within the team are basically handled according to an agreed process.
• Responsible for selecting and ensuring the optimal product and solution through evaluation tools based on professional information and knowledge of various BESS suppliers and products in the market.
• Understand product changes according to market trends and expertise in market structures and requirements such as CAISO ERCOT and other Utilities and support cost analysis to set up market sales price.
• Ability to review contract terms & conditions, negotiate the commercial contents & items of the contract, and draw out favorable terms that will enable the company to be competitive in the market.
• Ability to lead and mentor teams to foster an inclusive, collaborative and high-performance culture that values innovation and continuous improvement. Also, the ability to manage ongoing information exchange, effective collaboration, problem solving and commercial direction with the internal organizations.
• A role that leads communication with suppliers or customers, maintains continuous and developing relationships, discovers new suppliers and solutions, and introduces them to BESS-related teams.
• Maintain accurate and complete Purchasing records in accordance with record retention procedures
• Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position.
• Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned by Management

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor's Degree required
• 5+ years of experience in large scale BESS SCM/Procurement or Sales
• At least three years in a leadership or managerial role.
• Understanding of BESS products: Battery, PCS, MVTR, Container and Controller
• Understanding of EPC Process: Site construction, system design & engineering, and project (Upstream/Downstream) structure
• Knowledge in contract management and ability to review contracts from a commercial perspective and coordinate with legal opinions
• Understanding of ERP, SAP, API(Application Programming Interfaces) integration
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel
• Confidence and ability to interact with people at all levels of the organization
• Customer service skills including experience in conducting Supplier reviews and evaluation, and maintaining good business relationships
• Able to identify, investigate and solve problems that might arise with order and in timely manner

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 30% 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)
• 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

SALARY RANGE FOR POSITION
The anticipated starting pay range of this position, which is to be located in Irvine, CA is $145,000.00 - $175,000.00 base salary per year.
This job position is specific to Qcells USA Corp. only and not any other Hanwha affiliates. 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 and only pertains to the candidate if they work in Irvine, CA. 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. If candidates are considered for a nationwide role, then the compensation range will follow the marketability of the job function within those states. 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.

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.

This job position is specific to Qcells USA Corp. only and not any other Hanwha affiliates. 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 and only pertains to the candidate if they work in Irvine, CA. 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. If candidates are considered for a nationwide role, then the compensation range will follow the marketability of the job function within those states. 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.
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