Manufacturing Associate Jobs in Athens, AL (NOW HIRING)

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.  

Basic Job Functions:  

Supervises the daily production of Photovoltaic modules in accordance with required quality standards and in a cost-efficient manner. Train and mentor Supervisor I associates to maximize their supervisory skills.

Education and Experience:    

• High School Diploma or GED required.    

Candidate must meet one (1) of the three (3) criteria below:  

• One (1) year First Solar supervisory experience  
• Four (4) years supervisory experience in a manufacturing production setting, warehouse, textile, agricultural or material inspection capacity
• Six (6) years supervisory experience + two (2) years of experience in a manufacturing production setting, warehouse, textile, agricultural or material inspection capacity

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Experience in electrical, mechanical, and chemical industrial applications
• Experience and working knowledge of continuous improvement tools.
• Effective communication and supervisory skills
• Efficient Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Skills  
• Proven decision-making skills.  
• Solid people skills and a positive, outgoing attitude  
• Excellent organizational and planning skills.  
• The ideal candidate should have the ability to think outside the box and to develop unique and timely solutions.
• If assigned to coater area: knowledge of vacuum systems and laser operations.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Directly supervises the daily production of Photovoltaic modules in accordance with required quality standards and in a cost-efficient manner in multiple areas of the plant.
• Lead, manage and participate in continuous improvement activities/teams.  
• Will assume delegate responsibilities for Shift Manager as required.
• Train and mentor Supervisor I associates.
• Responsible for controlling costs to maintain budget accuracy.
• Monitors and coordinates Work In Process (WIP) optimization between manufacturing units for each process
• Monitors and maintains training matrix in SolarConnect in coordination with Manufacturing Supervisors I and Manufacturing Specialist  
• Support all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards, including our 5S system.
• Coordinate on-the-job training of manufacturing associates.
• Identify training opportunities to develop and maintain a highly motivated and capable team.
• Maintain all associate records in Solar Connect  
• Effective use of internal manufacturing software for production tracking
• Maintain accurate time keeping for manufacturing associates in the Kronos system.
• Maintains product inventory accuracy.
• Utilize Theory of Constraints (TOC) methodology to maximize throughput.
• Effectively interfaces with other departments.  
• Support efforts to consistently exceed customer expectations.
• Coordinate with Manufacturing Specialist and other supervisors on day-to-day issues  
• Evaluate and monitor manufacturing processes ensuring cycle time is being met.
• Responsible for eliminating downtime constraints in assigned area (e.g.: find root cause and resolve the issue, effectively utilize support teams to improve quality and production).
• Monitor and maintain training guides and track training progress of team.
• Conduct performance appraisals.

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports directly to the Manager, Shift  

Travel:

• Up to 10% of global travel is expected.  

Estimated Salary Range:  

• $62,500 - $89,000

US Physical Requirements:  

• Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to 12 hours per day.
• Will climb stairs on an occasional basis.
• Will exert up to 50 pounds of force to lift, push or pull on a seldom basis.
• Will lift, push, or pull up to 27 pounds on a frequent basis.
• Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects repetitively on a frequent basis.
• 20/40 vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required.
• Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.
• May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
• May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.

Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including but not limited to; steel toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, protective jacket or apron and arm guards).

All associates working on the production floor may be required to wear a respirator at any given time and thus, the ability to wear a respirator is a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair).           
 

Potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role. All candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully complete a background check and any other tests that may be required.    

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: First Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.