First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset. Basic Job Functions: Manage the selection, development, qualification and monitoring of suppliers to ensure they provide products and services which meet all First Solar requirements Education/Experience: Associates Degree in a technical discipline and 14 years of relevant work experience in related quality systems processes, including ISO Quality Systems and use of Advance Quality Planning tools. Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline with minimum 8 years of relevant work experience in related quality systems processes, including ISO Quality Systems and use of Advance Quality Planning tools. Master's or PhD degree in a technical discipline with minimum 5 years of relevant work experience in related quality systems processes, including ISO Quality Systems and use of Advance Quality Planning tools. ASQ Certifications preferred (CMQ/OE, CMBB, CQA, CQE, CQI) Third Party Certification as ISO Internal Auditor preferred. Required Skills/Competencies: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; as are interpersonal, facilitation, presentation, quantitative, analytical, organizational follow-up skills, and the ability to meet deadlines on multiple projects/programs. Demonstrate a strong passion for root cause investigation, identification, and permanent corrective action, implementation, and validation Ability to accurately communicate performance metrics and continuous improvement expectations to the supply base. Demonstrate advanced proficiency with Advanced Quality Planning tools such as FMEA, Control Plan, Process Mapping, Gage Studies, and SPC Demonstrate advanced application abilities for, Six Sigma, Value Stream Mapping and Lean Manufacturing principles Ability to lead cross functional project teams to ensure overall project timing and goals are met while following the principles and process requirements are also met Ability to mentor peers to improve their efficiency and capabilities to drive individual career development Advanced experience with MS Office including Excel, Word, and Power Point and their application as it relates to quality data analysis & presentation Ability to travel up to 50%, both domestic & international Must have valid passport and ability to obtain visas in countries where First Solar conducts business. Essential Responsibilities: Lead cross functional teams to execute the Advance Supplier Readiness process for assigned commodities to support projects related to capacity increases, cost reduction initiatives, supplier requested changes and new product/process qualifications Identify & develop the inspection methods needed to monitor the critical characteristics of assigned commodities including inspections plans, gaging methods and communication of results internally and to the supplier. Communicate qualification inspection plans to regional teams to ensure alignment of processes and proper inspection results for qualification Apply advanced quality planning tools to drive the successful qualification of new suppliers and products. Work with the development, manufacturing, product, and process engineering teams to perform process interaction analysis utilizing the FMEA approach. Work with Global Supply Chain and Engineering to ensure that specifications are clearly defined and effectively communicated to suppliers. Act independently to drive supplier to identification of true root cause of non-conformances using analytical tools and processes and ensure proper permanent corrective actions are implemented and sustained. Coordinate globally with cross functional team to monitor and communicate supplier performance by conducting regular supplier audits and participating in business reviews Independently drive supplier development and continuous improvement in th