Company Description
The Plant Manager leads the startup, production ramp-up, and ongoing operations of Translucent Solar’s solar module manufacturing facility. This position is accountable for plant safety, product quality, production performance, on-time delivery, workforce development, equipment reliability, and manufacturing costs.
This is a hands-on leadership opportunity to help build a manufacturing operation from the ground up-establishing effective processes, developing a strong team, and creating a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement. The Plant Manager translates company objectives into operating plans and coordinates the people, equipment, and resources needed to achieve production goals.
This position requires an on-site presence and regular engagement with employees throughout the manufacturing facility. Responsibilities include observing production, assessing operating conditions, coordinating corrective actions, and using required personal protective equipment.
The Plant Manager must be available to support startup activities, shift operations, and urgent operational needs, including occasional evenings or weekends as required. Essential functions must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.
Role Description
- Lead plant startup and production ramp-up. Coordinate operational readiness, equipment installation and commissioning, staffing, training, production trials, and the transition to commercial manufacturing. Work with Engineering, Maintenance, and equipment suppliers to resolve startup issues and achieve planned capacity.
- Direct daily manufacturing operations. Establish production priorities, staffing plans, shift coverage, and operating procedures. Oversee solar module assembly processes, including cell stringing, layup, lamination, framing, and junction box installation, together with inspection, testing, and packaging activities.
- Champion safety and environmental responsibility. Partner with the HSE Manager to implement applicable safety requirements, employee training, hazard assessments, machine guarding, hazardous-energy controls, and incident corrective actions. Support environmental compliance and ensure unsafe conditions are addressed before affected work resumes.
- Protect product quality. Partner with the QA/QC Manager to implement and maintain quality management processes aligned with ISO 9001 and applicable customer and product requirements. Support process controls, material and product traceability, audits, root-cause investigations, and corrective actions. Ensure production teams follow approved procedures for nonconforming material and product release.
- Build and develop the plant team. Recruit, train, coach, and evaluate assigned managers, supervisors, and employees in coordination with Human Resources. Establish clear responsibilities, consistent performance expectations, effective shift handoffs, and opportunities for employee development.
- Improve equipment reliability and manufacturing processes. Work with Engineering and Maintenance to establish preventive maintenance priorities, address recurring downtime, improve equipment utilization, and implement process improvements. Support equipment upgrades, capacity expansion, and new product introductions.
- Align production with material availability and customer demand. Coordinate with Procurement, Supply Chain, Quality, and Sales to align production schedules with inventory, material readiness, available capacity, and delivery commitments. Anticipate shortages and develop recovery plans to minimize disruptions.
- Manage operating costs and continuous improvement. Develop and manage plant budgets, labor plans, operating expenses, and capital requests within approved authority. Apply Lean manufacturing, standardized work, and structured problem-solving to reduce scrap, rework, downtime, and cost per watt without compromising safety or quality.
- Track performance and drive accountability. Establish and review key performance indicators, including production output, overall equipment effectiveness, first-pass yield, scrap, downtime, labor productivity, schedule attainment, and manufacturing cost. Lead operating reviews and assign corrective actions with clear owners and deadlines.
- Maintain operational controls and reporting. Ensure accurate production, inventory, labor, maintenance, and material-usage records. Report plant performance, risks, and resource needs to executive leadership. Support audits and documentation for applicable domestic manufacturing requirements and company incentive programs in coordination with Finance and other responsible functions.
Required Qualifications:
- Four years of solar manufacturing experience, including production leadership and demonstrated experience managing a solar module factory or substantial module manufacturing operation.
- Direct photovoltaic module manufacturing experience is required.
- Strong understanding of solar module production equipment, manufacturing processes, production planning, quality controls, and equipment reliability.
- Demonstrated ability to lead supervisors and production teams, establish operating procedures, resolve manufacturing problems, and improve plant performance.
- Experience managing labor, operating budgets, production metrics, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Working knowledge of manufacturing safety practices, quality management systems, and applicable operational compliance requirements.
- Strong communication, organizational, decision-making, and analytical skills, with the ability to work effectively across technical, operational, and administrative teams.
- Proficiency with production reporting
tools and enterprise resource planning or manufacturing execution systems.
Knowledge:
- Solar module manufacturing: Strong understanding of photovoltaic module production processes, including cell stringing, layup, lamination, framing, junction box installation, inspection, testing, and packaging.
- Manufacturing operations: Knowledge of production planning, capacity management, workforce scheduling, material flow, inventory control, and Lean manufacturing principles.
- Equipment and plant readiness: Understanding of automated manufacturing equipment, installation and commissioning, preventive maintenance, and equipment reliability.
- Quality and safety: Knowledge of quality management systems, process controls, product traceability, corrective actions, workplace safety practices, and applicable manufacturing compliance requirements.
- Financial and operational performance: Understanding of plant budgets, labor costs, capital expenditures, and manufacturing performance measures, including production output, yield, scrap, downtime, and cost per watt.
Skills:
- Leadership and employee development: Coaching managers and supervisors, delegating responsibilities, managing performance, resolving conflicts, and building accountable teams.
- Planning and organization: Developing production schedules, staffing plans, operating procedures, and project timelines while coordinating resources across departments.
- Technical problem-solving: Investigating production and equipment issues, identifying root causes, and implementing effective corrective actions and process improvements.
- Data analysis and systems use: Using spreadsheets, enterprise resource planning systems, manufacturing execution systems, and production reports to evaluate performance and guide decisions.
- Budgeting and cost control: Preparing operating budgets, monitoring expenses, evaluating equipment investments, and identifying opportunities to reduce manufacturing costs.
- Communication and collaboration: Clearly communicating priorities, expectations, performance results, and operational risks to employees, executive leadership, suppliers, and supporting departments.
Abilities:
- Lead startup and production ramp-up: Coordinate equipment readiness, employee training, production trials, and the transition to stable manufacturing operations.
- Execute operational goals: Translate company objectives into practical plans, measurable targets, and clear responsibilities while maintaining safety and product quality.
- Respond to changing conditions: Anticipate material shortages, staffing gaps, equipment failures, and production constraints; make timely decisions and implement recovery plans.
- Coordinate cross-functional operations: Align Production, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, HSE, and Supply Chain to resolve issues and maintain consistent operating practices across shifts.
- Sustain improvements: Establish standardized processes, monitor results, hold teams accountable, and ensure corrective actions produce lasting improvements.
- Provide hands-on plant leadership: Maintain a visible presence on the production floor, evaluate operating conditions, support employees, and balance immediate production needs with long-term facility growth.