Buyer I (1st Shift)

First Solar; South Carolina; On-site; USD 48,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar is seeking a skilled Purchasing professional to manage material purchases, supplier collaboration, and data integrity across ERP platforms. You will ensure accurate orders, supplier qualification, and inventory alignment with production needs.

The role emphasizes cost optimization, effective negotiations, and cross-functional teamwork in a manufacturing environment, with a focus on maintaining supply continuity and adherence to quality standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or supply chain or equivalent experience.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment preferred; familiarity with supply chain concepts and MRP.
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP or Oracle preferred).
• APICS certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Ensure purchase requisitions and purchase orders are accurate and properly approved with negotiated pricing.
• Research and evaluate potential new suppliers to improve pricing, delivery, and quality.
• Support supplier qualification activities by gathering information and coordinating evaluations.
• Monitor and maintain inventory levels for assigned materials.
• Expedite or de-expedite purchase orders to support production demand.
• Communicate supplier quality issues and collaborate on root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Review aging purchase orders for timely updates and closure.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with departments and suppliers.
• Create and maintain accurate master data for planning and purchasing.
• Adhere to First Solar processes, safety, and ISO standards.

Skills

Organizational skills

Microsoft Office

Negotiation approaches

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or supply chain

Experience in manufacturing environment

Experience with ERP systems (SAP or Oracle)

APICS certification

Job description

Description

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

Basic Job Functions:

• Operational Purchasing Execution:Execute purchasing activities for assigned materials, services, and equipment by obtaining bids, preparing purchase orders, and ensuring alignment with approved requisitions and standard terms and conditions.
• Supplier Collaboration and Cost Optimization:Support supplier negotiations related to pricing, delivery, and terms to ensure cost effective supply. Assist in the qualification and onboarding of new suppliers as required.
• Supply Continuity and Critical Material Escalation Support:Maintain continuity of supply for assigned commodities by monitoring demand, placing orders, adjusting delivery schedules, and ensuring alignment with production requirements.
• Master Data Management: Create and maintain accurate and complete master data elements to support planning processes and proper purchase order execution.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in a business or supply chain discipline, or equivalent experience required.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment is preferred. Experience with commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures within Supply Chain. Experience with MRP concepts and one or more ERP systems (SAP or Oracle preferred).
• APICS certification preferred.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Proven organizational skills – ability to prioritize.
• Good computer skills, including Microsoft Office or equivalent.
• Demonstrated or familiar with negotiation approaches and methods.
• Good communications and interpersonal skills.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Ensure purchase requisitions and purchase orders are accurate, complete, properly approved, and contain negotiated pricing for assigned suppliers.
• With minimal direction, research and evaluate potential new suppliers to identify opportunities for improved pricing, delivery performance, and quality.
• Support supplier qualification activities by gathering information, coordinating evaluations, and communicating with internal stakeholders.
• Monitor and maintain inventory levels for assigned materials in alignment with established targets and production needs.
• Expedite or de‑expedite purchase orders and adjust scheduled quantities as required to support changes in production demand or material requirements.
• Communicate supplier quality issues and collaborate with internal teams and suppliers to support root‑cause analysis, corrective actions, and appropriate material disposition.
• Review and analyze aging purchase orders to ensure timely updates, accuracy, and closure.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with departments and maintain effective communication with assigned suppliers.
• Create and maintain accurate master data to support planning, purchasing, and material management processes.
• Maintain effective communication, support teamwork, and foster a collaborative work environment while applying an enterprise mindset that considers impacts across functions and the organization.
• Adhere to all First Solar processes and requirements, including safety, SOA, ISO9000, ISO14000, and housekeeping standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:

• No direct reports.

Travel:

• 5% - 10%

Estimated Salary Range:

• $48,400 - $69,000

US Physical Requirements:

Office Physical Requirements:

All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting. In order to best service our customers, internal and external, all associates must be able to communicate face-to-face and on the phone with or without reasonable accommodation. First Solar is committed to compliance with its obligations under all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, it attempts to reasonably accommodate applicants and employees in accordance with the requirements of the disability discrimination laws. It also invites individuals with disabilities to participate in a good faith, interactive process to identify reasonable accommodation that can be made without imposing an undue hardship.

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.