Senior Manager of Process Planning

Qcells EPC; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Hanwha Qcells USA Corp (Qcells USA) seeks a Senior Manager of Process Planning to lead cross-functional process improvement initiatives across EPC and project delivery operations. You will standardize processes, monitor performance, and drive continuous improvement aligned with business objectives and compliance standards.

Reports to the Director of Process Innovation and travels up to 30%. The role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership, and the ability to influence at all levels

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in EPC project controls, project management, process improvement, or operations leadership.
• Proven track record in leading process transformation initiatives for large-scale infrastructure or utility-scale Solar and BESS EPC projects.
• Deep understanding of project controls disciplines: scheduling, cost control, risk management and reporting.
• Strong knowledge of ERP and project management systems.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the company-wide process innovation roadmap, ensuring alignment with corporate growth strategy and EPC best practices.
• Define KPIs, benchmarks, and governance frameworks to measure and improve process efficiency, quality and compliance.
• Establish and maintain standardized controls for project cost management, scheduling, risk mitigation, and reporting.
• Drive consistent application of change order procedures, contract administration standards, and quality control protocols.
• Ensure integration of project controls with ERP and reporting systems.
• Partner with leadership across Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Finance, Logistics, and Operations to align process innovation initiatives with business needs.
• Identify process bottlenecks and implement data-driven solutions to improve execution speed and reduce costs.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, tools and methodologies for applicability to Qcells’ operational model.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and operational excellence across teams.
• Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position.
• Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned by Management

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

ERP knowledge

Project controls

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Project management software

Job description

Description

Title: Senior Manager of Process Planning

Description

Title: Senior Manager of Process Planning

Department: Process Innovation Office

Location: Houston, TX

Supervisor: Director of Process Innovation (Team Lead)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Permanent, Full-time

Work Status: Hybrid

SENIOR MANAGER OF PROCESS PLANNING

Hanwha Qcells USA Corp (Qcells USA), headquartered in Irvine, CA, specializes in providing utility-scale modules, solar photovoltaic (PV), and battery energy storage systems (BESS) project development, along with Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services for solar and BESS projects nationwide. Qcells USA delivers comprehensive turnkey solutions encompassing the entire utility-scale project lifecycle. By choosing Qcells USA for turnkey solutions, customers can reduce uncertainty and risk, leading to enhanced investment returns and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Qcells USA’s complete turnkey solutions seamlessly integrate the expertise of our Development, Module, and EPC teams, while ensuring close coordination with other vital internal groups such as Project Finance, Systems Integration, and Legal. This collaborative approach ensures that Qcells USA projects deliver exceptional value and performance. With several multi-billion-dollar investments, Qcells is pioneering the establishment of the only complete module supply chain in the U.S., including the expansion of our Georgia module manufacturing facility, which stands as the largest in the Western Hemisphere.

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 of Process Planning needs to be experienced and strategic to lead cross-functional process improvement initiatives that drive operational excellence, scalability, adn efficiency across our EPC and project delivery operations. This role will encompass process standardization, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement, while ensuring alignment with Qcells‘ business objectives and compliance standards. This position reports to the Director of Process Innovation, or another management personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate. This position is located in Houston, TX and working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm or 9:00 am to 6:00 pm local time. This position is expected to travel up to 30%.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Essential Job Function & Responsibilities

• Strategic Process Leadership
  • Develop and lead the company-wide process innovation roadmap, ensuring alignment with corporate growth strategy and EPC best practices
  • Define KPIs, benchmarks, and governance frameworks to measure and improve process efficiency, quality and compliance
• EPC Controls Alignment
  • Establish and maintain standardized controls for project cost management, scheduling, risk mitigation, and reporting
  • Drive consistent application of change order procedures, contract administration standards, and quality control protocols
  • Ensure integration of project controls with enterprise resource planning (ERP) and reporting systems
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with leadership across Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Finance, Logistics, and Operations to align process innovation initiatives with business needs.
• Performance Optimization
  • Identify process bottlenecks and implement data-driven solutions to improve execution speed and reduce costs
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement
  • Evaluate emerging technologies, tools and methodologies for applicability to Qcells’ operational model
  • Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and operational excellence across teams
• Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position
• Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned by Management

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration or related field; Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in EPC project controls, project management, process improvement, or operations leadership.
• Proven track record in leading process transformation initiatives for large-scale infrastructure or utility-scale Solar and BESS EPC projects
• Deep understanding of project controls disciplines: scheduling, cost control, risk management and reporting
• Strong knowledge of ERP and project management systems
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to navigate complex, matrixed organizations and influence at all levels

EXAMPLES OF 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 10 pounds
• 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 30% as needed

EXAMPLES OF 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)
• Under the Office Mobilization Plan (OMP) policy, the role may transition to an onsite or hybrid arrangement, as determined by business needs and the Head of Department

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.

It is important to note that the job descriptions provided by Qcells USA Corp are not intended to be comprehensive lists of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the positions. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice, reflecting our dynamic and evolving work environment.

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 [e-mail].