Process Team Leader

Qcells North America; Dalton (GA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Hanwha Q CELLS in Dalton, GA seeks a Process Team Leader to guide the Process Engineering and Technician teams in 24/7 production. You will drive line optimization, quality standards, and cost reduction with deep expertise in solar module manufacturing.

The role requires strategic leadership, Lean/Six Sigma experience, and the ability to collaborate across Production, Equipment, Quality, and EHS teams to achieve CTM and yield targets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Chemical, Materials, Mechanical, Industrial, or related).
• Minimum 10 years manufacturing experience with solar/module or related processes.
• 2–3 years in Team Leader/Manager roles.
• Deep understanding of solar module manufacturing processes (Tabber/Stringer, Laminator, J-Box, EL/Flash Testing).
• Bilingual in Korean and English.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead Process Engineering and Technician teams across all shifts.
• Establish shift handover protocols and ensure 24/7 line coverage.
• Set KPIs, conduct performance evaluations, and manage development plans.
• Plan tasks, allocate resources, and define priorities.
• Mentor engineers and technicians to advance technical skills.
• Maintain QA standards, process recipes, and inspection/testing protocols.
• Lead root-cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 compliance.
• Drive plant-wide process improvements and cost reductions.
• Utilize data tools to monitor line stability and yield trends.

Skills

Leadership

Data-driven decisions

Communication

Korean-English bilingual

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Power BI

SAP

Job description

Summary

The Process Team Leader is responsible for leading, directing, and empowering the Process Engineering and Technician teams to achieve manufacturing line optimization, high-yield quality excellence, and operational target goals. This role requires strategic leadership, deep technical expertise in solar module manufacturing (Cell-to-Module optimization, Lamination, Tabber/Stringer, EL inspection), and continuous improvement methodologies (Six Sigma, Lean) to drive process stability, defect/cell loss reduction, cross-functional collaboration, and team member development in a 24/7 manufacturing environment.

Description

PROCESS TEAM LEADER

Reports to: COO

Location: Dalton, GA

Classification: Salary (Exempt)

Grade: G4

Summary

The Process Team Leader is responsible for leading, directing, and empowering the Process Engineering and Technician teams to achieve manufacturing line optimization, high-yield quality excellence, and operational target goals. This role requires strategic leadership, deep technical expertise in solar module manufacturing (Cell-to-Module optimization, Lamination, Tabber/Stringer, EL inspection), and continuous improvement methodologies (Six Sigma, Lean) to drive process stability, defect/cell loss reduction, cross-functional collaboration, and team member development in a 24/7 manufacturing environment.

• Team Leadership & People Management
• Lead, manage, and motivate the Process Engineering team and Process Technicians across all shifts.
• Establish shift handover protocols and manage line engineering coverage for continuous 24/7 operations.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, provide constructive feedback, set clear KPIs, and manage individual development plans for team members.
• Plan and execute overall team tasks, resource allocation, and shift/day operational priorities.
• Mentor engineers and technicians to advance technical skill sets, problem-solving capabilities, and career progression.
• Process & Quality Assurance Management
• Establish, monitor, and maintain quality assurance standards, process recipes, and inspection/testing protocols to meet or exceed plant yield and CTM (Cell-to-Module) target goals.
• Oversee immediate root-cause analysis (RCA) and emergency countermeasure implementation for critical line issues, cell breakage, and defect spikes (e.g., micro-cracks, lamination bubbles).
• Ensure strict adherence to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards across all manufacturing processes.
• Continuous Improvement & Cost Reduction
• Initiate, manage, and drive plant-wide process improvement projects focused on enhancing operational effectiveness (OE), job effectiveness (JE), minimizing cell loss/scrap, and lowering operational costs.
• Act as a key change agent to systematically implement process changes, recipe tuning, and flexible automation through cross-functional collaboration with Production, Equipment, Quality, and EHS teams.
• Develop, standardize, and maintain engineering documentation: PFMEAs, Control Plans, Work Instructions, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Data Analysis & Performance Reporting
• Utilize data-driven decision-making tools (e.g., Six Sigma, Power BI, MES/SAP/EMI data) to track line stability, CTM gains, yield trends, and loss pareto analyses.
• Establish regular departmental reporting metrics to keep executive management informed on plant improvement progress and strategic initiatives.
• Safety & Environment
• Partner closely with the EHS team to enforce workplace safety regulations, lead safety improvement projects, and minimize incident risks across all lines.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Chemical, Materials, Mechanical, Industrial, or related field).
• Experience: Minimum of 10 years of manufacturing industry experience, with a strong focus on solar module, semiconductor, or display manufacturing processes.
• Minimum 2~3 years of experience in a Team Leader, Manager, or Lead Engineer role.
• Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of solar module manufacturing processes (Tabber/Stringer, Laminator, J-Box, EL/Flash Testing), equipment capabilities, and defect mechanisms.
• Bilingual in Korean and English
• Leadership & Soft Skills:
• Proven leadership and people management capabilities with excellent interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Ability to articulate complex technical issues clearly to both executive management and shop-floor technicians.
• Strong analytical problem-solving mindset and data-driven decision-making approach.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certifications in Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt), Lean Manufacturing, or Power BI/Data Analytics tools.
• Strong experience with quality management systems (ISO 9001, ISO 14001).
• Cross-functional work experience across Quality, Equipment/Maintenance, or R&D departments.

Physical Requirements

• Able to stand and walk through the production area throughout the workday
• Able to lift to 50 pounds without restriction
• Reaching, pushing, pulling, or lifting as required within limits set by Q Cells
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer

Hanwha Q CELLS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.