Project Planning Manager

Description

Title: Project Planning Manager

Department: Operation 1

Location: Ankeny, IA

Supervisor: Director of Project Planning

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Permanent, Full-Time

Work Status (Remote/Hybrid/In-Office): Hybrid

PROJECT PLANNING MANAGER

Hanwha Qcells USA Corp (“HQC US”) develops, invests, and delivers solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage systems (BESS) projects through Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services in North America.

The company brings a decade of global leadership in solar PV to deliver utility-scale power generation plants customized for local and regional energy markets. HQC US offers the full spectrum of PV solutions – from the core technology of cells and modules to large-scale project development and investment. With proven capabilities across the solar and battery storage value chain, HQC US minimizes uncertainty and risk, and helps customers achieve a higher return on their investment in renewable energy.

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 Project Planning Manager will manage internal self-perform preconstruction projects and will play a vital role within the Hanwha Q CELLS USA organization to enable our vision of becoming the leading solar solution provider in the Americas. As a key member of the EPC management team the Project Planning Manager is expected to draw upon fundamental construction and engineering background and direct experience to lead preconstruction project management efforts in support of the successful build out of self-perform MW scale ground mount PV and ESS power plants. The Project Planning Manager will report to the Sr. Director of Project Planning of Hanwha Q CELLS USA Corp., or another senior management personnel that the Senior Vice President and/or CEO of the Company may designate. This position is remote (unless located in Irvine, CA) and working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time. Overtime and weekend working hours may be required as needed. This position is expected to travel up to 25%.

Essential Job Function & Responsibilities

• Leadership
• Lead and manage multiple utility scale Solar projects through the preconstruction life-cycle fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment across all internal departments.
• The Project Planning Manager will be the leader responsible for all preconstruction project efforts.
• Estimation and Cost Management
• Ensure proper coordination with the Estimating department to ensure all activities and deliverables are completed within the parameters of the project schedule and requirements.
• Review initial project cost estimates from the Estimation team to identify the costs provided fully represent the project scope of work.
• Project Planning and Risk Evaluation
• Aid in the development of comprehensive project execution plans, identifying potential risks and mitigation strategies to ensure successful project execution.
• Provide input on project schedules and provide insight on durations and relationships of activities.
• Work with internal departments such as Procurement, Engineering, Legal, EHSQ, Project Finance, Development, PMO, Systems Integration, Sales, among others to ensure alignment on project needs, expectations, and constraints.
• Understanding self-perform construction means and methods to adequately plan projects and provide technical teams with optimization and value engineering efforts.
• EPC Contract Management
• Lead the drafting efforts for Owner requested LNTP’s.
• Collaborate with legal, contract managers, and other departments to ensure contract deliverables are being completed and within the project schedule.
• Participate in commercial negotiations with clients, vendors, subcontractors, and suppliers to aid in securing favorable terms and pricing for project materials and services.
• Stakeholder Engagement/Management
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including clients, engineers, and regulatory agencies, to facilitate communication and ensure project alignment.
• Manage expectations with clients to ensure project success while forging lasting relationships with the client to promote repeat business.
• Engage with local AHJs to understand requirements and present Qcells as a partner of the community.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or another related field is preferred;
• Graduate degree in engineering or another related field is highly preferred;
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred;
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in engineering, construction, or related industry;
• Extensive track record of successfully designing and building large scale solar power plants preferably in the Americas, and a demonstrated track record of delivering results;
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of all phases of the renewables power plant development, including engineering, procurement, and construction and project management;
• Experience working with project developers and understanding of the RFP process;
• Have insight to identify and highlight key risk factors within self-perform projects;
• Solid experience with current solar EPC tools and processes, and remain current on best practices and trends in the industry;
• Demonstrated track record of initiating programs that lead to significant cost reduction and/or performance improvement;
• Understanding of solar module manufacturing and O&M experience is a plus;
• Ability to manage and lead large technical organizations, including significant experience managing numerous suppliers and contractors;
• Capability to interact with leadership cross-culturally, both within and outside the organization;
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills;
• Strong team player with high degree of professionalism in which one conducts self at all times;
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally;
  
  

EXAMPLE 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 25% 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)
  
  

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 hr-usa@qcells.com.

Nothing in this statement shall imply implicitly or explicitly a guarantee of employment outside our at-will employment opportunity.