Supply Chain Manager

Translucent Solar; Summerville (SC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Translucent Solar in Summerville, SC is seeking a Supply Chain & Logistics Manager to oversee strategic sourcing, supplier relationships, and cost optimization for solar materials and components across a global supply base. You will drive procurement excellence supporting high-volume production and ensure timely material availability.

The role requires strong negotiation, data analysis, cross-functional collaboration with production, engineering and finance, knowledge of U.S.

Qualifications

• 4+ years in purchasing for solar/module manufacturing.
• Experience with supplier negotiation and contract management.
• Knowledge of procurement processes, ERP systems, and production scheduling.

Responsibilities

• Manage the purchasing team activity and perform purchasing tasks for production.
• Schedule POs according to production and operations needs.
• Forecast demand for goods and services and monitor stock levels.
• Negotiate contracts and monitor supplier performance; build supplier relationships.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Decision making

Can-do attitude

Work under pressure

Education

Solar module purchasing experience

Tools

ERP

MS Word

Excel

Job description

Supply Chain & Logistics Manager is essential to ensure reliable, cost-effective sourcing of critical materials such as solar glass, aluminum frames, junction boxes, back sheets, EVA, and cells. The ideal candidate should have experience in strategic sourcing within photovoltaic manufacturing or related high-volume industrial sectors, with strong supplier negotiation skills and familiarity with global supply chains. They must also understand U.S. trade regulations, tariffs, domestic content requirements, and incentive frameworks such as the Inflation Reduction Act to optimize sourcing strategies. In addition, the Supply Chain Manager plays a key role in managing supplier relationships, mitigating supply risks, controlling input costs, and ensuring timely material availability to support uninterrupted production. Strong commercial judgment, analytical capability, and cross-functional coordination with production, engineering, and finance teams are critical for success in this role.

The Supply Chain Manager is responsible for buying the best quality equipment, goods and services, at the most competitive prices, to enable the factory to operate at cost value.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the purchasing team activity and perform the purchasing related tasks needed for the production.
• Schedule the POs according to the production and overall operations needed without limitation to the department or the sector.
• Based on the scheduled production need, will have available the necessary raw materials equipment’s and tools
• Ability to multi-task is required to efficiently optimize performance of the production and the factory
• Work closely with all the departments and teams to achieve optimum uptime of equipment and production cost effective.
• Work closely with the QA/QC department and ensure the quality of the goods and products.
• Forecast levels of demand for services and products;
• Keep a constant check on stock levels;
• Conduct research to ascertain the best products and suppliers in terms of best value, delivery schedules and quality;
• Liaise between suppliers, manufacturers, relevant internal departments and customers;
• Build and maintain good relationships with new and existing suppliers;
• Negotiate and agree contracts, monitoring the quality of service provided;
• Process payments and invoices;
• Keep contract files and use them as reference for the future;
• Forecast price trends and their impact on future activities;
• Give presentations about market analysis and possible growth;
• Produce reports and statistics using computer software;
• Evaluate bids and make recommendations, based on commercial and technical factors;
• Ensure suppliers are aware of business objectives;
• Attend meetings and trade conferences/exhibitions;
• Train and supervise the work of other members of staff.

Educational Requirements:

• 4+ year or more in purchasing for Solar Module manufacturing is required
• An enthusiastic candidate will be considered regardless of the diploma and experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Detailed oriented individual
• Strong measurement skills and analytical aptitude
• Good troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities
• Experience with machine level programming of code
• PC experience - MS Word, Excel, ERP.
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Comfortable making decisions quickly based on available data
• Having a can-do attitude and willing to work though problems to meet production requirements
• Willing to work under stress and odd hours to maintain production