Solar Tech Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Description

Title: Site Manager
Department: Operations
Location: Ankeny, IA  
Supervisor: Director of Projects
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Permanent, Full-time

Work Status: Project Site

SITE 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 Site Manager holds critical accountability for the comprehensive management of project scope, ensuring all construction activities align with strategic objectives and contractual requirements. This role is pivotal in maintaining rigorous adherence to the project’s timeline, orchestrating on-site operations, and preemptively identifying and mitigating scheduling risks. Furthermore, the manager is responsible for strict oversight of project costs and monitoring budget adherence for all facets of the construction process, from procurement to quality control and subcontractor manager. This position reports to the Director of Projects, or another management personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate. This position is onsite 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 100%.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES
 

• Oversees and directs daily construction operations on-site, ensuring strategic sequencing, meticulous planning, and adept execution align with the project's timeline and financial objectives.
• Overall responsibility for all stages of construction projects in tens to hundreds of millions of dollars.
• Develop and review project schedules, cost estimations, bills of materials, budgets, scopes of work, standards, and quotes from suppliers.
• Supervise project implementation to ensure cost, time, quality, and execution guidelines according to schedule.
• Develop work breakdown structures.
• Manage all parties involved (internal and external) and ensure professional project management from system design to construction phase.
• Represent project towards external parties such as investors, public authorities, grid operator and others.
• Collaborate with team members when necessary to ensure effective communication and results.
• Provide cost estimation, identify and project costs related to time, materials, and labor
• Track actual costs and assess the cost-effectiveness of products, projects, or services
• Cost reporting: Prepare reports on a project's current status, showing estimated costs, revenues, and timeline.
• Promptly addresses all on-site challenges during construction, guaranteeing safe progression and providing explicit directives to craft personnel and subcontractors.
• Collaborates closely with the Director of Projects to confirm that all aspects of engineering, procurement, submissions, and work plans are well-established, supporting the seamless execution of work in accordance with the project schedule.
• Manage the construction planning process alongside the Director of Projects, facilitating the hiring of subcontractors, and interfacing with engineers and vendors. Skillfully negotiates contracts with these parties.
• Administers the performance of subcontractors on-site, assuring adherence to the terms of the subcontract agreements.
• Communicates pertinent project details relating to on-site activities to the Director of Projects, clients, and additional stakeholders, which include landowners, as necessitated.
• Establishes the initial site layout and infrastructural services, ensuring the provision of essentials such as water, power, internet, office trailers, and other necessary facilities.
• Orchestrates and guarantees suitable staffing levels for daily construction tasks through the coordination of employees, temporary staffing agencies, and subcontractors.
• Ensures that construction disciplines are synchronizing daily activities to avert potential scheduling discrepancies.
• Detects impending alterations to the schedule, workflow, and staffing requirements in a proactive manner. 
• Supervises the construction site vigilantly to monitor work progression, including the productivity and fiscal performance of each installation activity.
• Anticipates changes and risks promptly in relation to project schedules and budgets, implementing proactive measures.
• Oversees a robust quality control program to ensure that all processes are consistent and executed as per the established plan.
• Supplies necessary documentation, schematics, and additional materials to the EHSQ for the oversight and upkeep of the EMS.
• Guarantees that training and certification requirements for field staff are met in compliance with EMS stipulations.
• Coordinates employee leave scheduling to ensure continuous management coverage.
• Monitors subcontractor activity on-site diligently.
• Serves as the primary liaison between the construction team and on-site client representatives, fostering transparent communication and ensuring that client requirements and expectations are effectively managed and aligned with the project's progress and outcomes.
• Coordinates external communications, articulating project updates, milestones, and adjustments to stakeholders, media, and the public as appropriate, while safeguarding sensitive company and project information.
• Operates the company vehicle for comprehensive site supervision; capable of driving to and on-site during varying hours and in diverse weather conditions. 

• 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
 

• Minimum of 5+ years of professional experience managing the performance of major projects, preferably in the building of power stations or supply networks, or other utility-scale construction projects 
• Minimum of 2 years of solar PV or wind power project experience, preferred 
• Proven track record of managing all phases of construction projects from inception to completion, preferably in utility-scale self-perform solar.
• Has independently overseen multi-million-dollar projects
• Strong understanding of construction methodologies, blueprint reading, and building codes. 
• Experience in budgeting, scheduling, and cost control. 
• Proficient in construction management software, such as Procore, or similar. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex information to diverse audiences. 
• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate a team, manage subcontractors, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. 
• Knowledge of environmental, health, and safety (EHS) standards and compliance requirements. 
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances. 
• Strong negotiation skills with a fair and assertive approach to contracts. 
• Must possess a valid driver's license and be willing and able to drive to various construction sites, including travel during adverse weather conditions. 
• Current OSHA certification and familiarity with other construction-related regulatory requirements. 
• Commitment to ongoing professional development in construction management practices and trends.

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 100% 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

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.