Senior Manager, Commercial Management - Qcells

Title:Senior Manager, Commercial Management
Department: SP Construction
Location:Irvine, CA 
Supervisor:Senior Director of Commercial Management
FLSA Status:Exempt
Position Status:Full-Time

Work Status (Remote/Hybrid/In-Office):Hybrid

Senior Manager, Commercial Management

Hanwha Qcells USA Corp (“HQC US”) develops, invests, and delivers solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage systems (BESS) projects through Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC) services in North America.

The company brings a decade of global leadership in solar PV to deliver utility-scale power generation plants customized for local and regional energy markets. HQC US offers the full spectrum of PV solutions – from the core technology of cells and modules to large-scale project development and investment. With proven capabilities across the solar and battery storage value chain, HQC US minimizes uncertainty and risk, and helps customers achieve a higher return on their investment in renewable energy.

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 Senior Manager, Commercial Managementwill drive the commercial success of our utility scale solar and BESS projects. This role will directly manage a dedicated team of Commercial Managers and Project Accountants, focusing on the financial and contractual aspects of Self-Perform Solar Projects. The ideal candidate will be passionate about renewable energy, possess strong communication and influential skills, and have a proven track record in project management, experience in construction cost control, cost forecasting, CPM scheduling, negotiation skills, risk and opportunity identification and management, change management, and contract management. The role requires constant evaluation of both internal resources and subcontractor contributions to the projects' success, addressing any contractual issues rapidly to maintain project momentum. The successful candidate will have regular collaboration with the internal Project Controls team, construction management senior leaders, and operations teams to implement tools and processes throughout the active construction projects.

This position reports to the Senior Director of Commercial Management, or another senior management personnel that the President of the Company may designate. This position can be remote with a preference for candidates on PST or MT time zones or based in the Irvine, CA office.  Working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm.  This position may be required to travel up to 50% of the time.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead a team of Commercial Managers and Project Accountants, overseeing their work on Self-Perform Solar Projects.
• Collaborate with project directors, project managers, and construction managers to meet project objectives within constraints.
• Participate as a key stakeholder in negotiations for subcontracts, ensuring favorable terms and compliance with company standards.
• Oversee and conduct comprehensive assessments to identify project risks and opportunities, devising strategies to mitigate risks while capitalizing on opportunities.
• Oversee and manage change orders, ensuring they are accurately documented, assessed for impact, and implemented effectively for upstream and downstream commitments.
• Develop and implement strategies to ensure all projects adhere to contractual obligations and company policies.
• Regularly evaluate internal resource and subcontractor performance to guarantee adherence to project execution strategies.
• Address and resolve any upstream or downstream contractual disputes or issues promptly to minimize the impact on project timelines and budgets.
• Prepare and present detailed monthly executive reports, including variance analysis, risk logs, project summary reports, forecasts, and change logs.
• Conduct weekly and monthly reviews of deliverables for project management, providing constructive feedback and development plans to enhance team performance and capabilities.
• Implement and maintain project cost control plans and procedures.
• Partake as a key stakeholder in project schedule development and review, including critical path management and progress tracking.
• Manage project budgets, including cost tracking and forecasting.
• Engage with clients and stakeholders to align expectations with project goals and communicate invoicing, cash flows, and change management.
• Ensure all projects are compliant with the business’ set standards in reporting and project management means and methods.
• Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned by Senior Management.
• Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
 

• Bachelor’s degree in related field; MBA preferred, or 5+ years work experience in a related field.
• At least 2 years of experience in project management, or a cost control function, preferably within the renewable energy sector.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, project management software, and other relevant tools
• Have insight to highlight key risk factors and advise EPC cost estimates.
• Experience with current solar EPC tools and processes and remain current on best practices and trends in the industry.
• Demonstrated track record of initiating programs that lead to significant cost reduction and/or performance improvement.
• Capability to interact with leadership cross-culturally, both within and outside the organization
• Have both a long-term strategic perspective and near-term action orientation, and a strong desire to continuously improve and push limits.
• Strong team player with a high degree of professionalism in which one conducts self at all times.
• Willingness to travel as required, up to 50%.

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 10pounds
• 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 50% as needed

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)

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.

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.