Commodity Manager Senior - Solar Cells

Procurement Engineering Manager Solar Cells

Located in the heart of Central Ohio, Illuminate USA is transforming solar panel manufacturing from our cutting-edge facility in Pataskala. As a new standalone joint venture established by two global leaders in renewable energy, we've rapidly grown to over 1,500 associates and are now fully operational in our 1.1 million-square-foot factory. Our vision is to establish one of the largest solar panel manufacturing operations in the Western Hemisphere. This is an exciting time to join Illuminate USA as we continue to grow and innovate. We're not just building solar panelswe're building a team of dedicated, passionate associates eager to make a real impact. If you're looking to be part of a collaborative, people-focused, and forward-thinking workplace, we want to hear from you! We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and continuous opportunities for career growth. Come join us on this journey to create a brighter, more sustainable future in the Columbus area.

Job Summary : We are seeking a technically skilled and strategic Procurement Engineering Manager Solar Cells for our new advanced manufacturing facility in Pataskala, Ohio. Reporting to the Head of Procurement, this role serves as a technical expert in solar cell sourcing, quality, and performance, ensuring all materials and suppliers meet Illuminate USA's engineering and production standards.

This position bridges engineering and procurement, applying industrial engineering principles to supplier selection, process validation, and technical problem-solving. The ideal candidate will collaborate closely with product engineering, quality, and operations teams to ensure all solar cell components meet specification, cost, and performance goals.

Key Responsibilities :

Technical Evaluation & Supplier Capability

Conduct technical assessments of solar cell suppliers to verify process capability, material consistency, and equipment performance.

Review and interpret engineering documentation and test data to confirm compliance with technical and quality requirements.

Serve as the technical liaison between engineering teams and suppliers to align on product specifications and quality standards.

Quality Integration & Issue Resolution

Partner with Quality Engineering to define inspection standards, test parameters, and acceptance criteria for solar cells.

Monitor and evaluate vendor performance scorecards, ensuring alignment with cost, quality, and delivery objectives.

Act as a technical point of contact to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve supplier-related issues affecting material quality or performance.

Lead or support root cause investigations and corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Technical Input to Procurement & Contracts

Provide engineering-based input on supplier contracts, including specifications, testing requirements, and performance criteria.

Support cost and risk analysis by evaluating supplier manufacturing processes and material performance data.

Advise procurement and engineering teams on supplier technical capabilities for both existing and new products.

New Product Introduction (NPI) & Continuous Improvement

Serve as a technical contributor to the New Product Introduction process, ensuring suppliers are capable of meeting new solar cell design requirements.

Coordinate prototype sourcing, testing, and validation activities with internal engineering and supplier teams.

Drive supplier improvement initiatives to enhance process capability, yield, and reliability.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Leadership

Work closely with Engineering, Quality, and Operations to align supplier performance with production and technical goals.

Manage supplier relationships with a focus on technical partnership and continuous improvement.

Benchmark solar cell sourcing and production practices against industry best standards.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical, or Manufacturing preferred) or Supply Chain Management with strong technical experience.

Minimum of 8 years of experience in procurement engineering, supplier development, or manufacturing engineering within the solar, semiconductor, or advanced materials industries.

Deep understanding of solar cell design, performance characteristics, and manufacturing processes.

Proficiency in interpreting technical drawings, process documentation, and material specifications.

Strong knowledge of supplier qualification, process validation, and failure analysis.

Proven ability to resolve complex supplier issues through engineering collaboration.

Excellent communication and relationship management skills.

Fluency in Mandarin preferred but not required.

At Illuminate USA, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We proudly embrace equal opportunity for all, ensuring that all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Your unique background and experiences are valued here, as we believe they strengthen our team and drive our mission forward.

Illuminate is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.