Specialist, Sourcing

At Canadian Solar, our vision is to make lives better by bringing electricity powered by the sun to millions of people worldwide. As a leading manufacturer of solar panels, inverters, and energy storage solutions, we've been an industry front-runner since our founding in 2001. Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in all parts of our organization as we navigate the complexities of a booming industry.

Throughout Canadian Solar's subsidiaries, e-Storage, Recurrent Energy, MSS and CSI Solar Co., we invest in our employees' growth. Our training programs and promotional opportunities ensure we all can continue to learn. We understand the importance of work-life balance and provide various flexible work options to support our employees' well-being. Join our team to "Make the Difference" by creating a lasting positive impact on the world and the communities where we operate.

We are seeking a Specialist, Sourcing with a strong background in managing raw materials procurement. This role will be crucial in ensuring efficient and cost-effective supply chain operations, from the initial program kickoff through to product launch. The Specialist, Sourcing will be responsible for sourcing and helping support managing relationships with suppliers of raw materials and equipment, ensuring that our operations are profitable and aligned with our industry standards.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Specialist, Sourcing with a strong background in managing raw materials procurement. This role will be crucial in ensuring efficient and cost-effective supply chain operations, from the initial program kickoff through to product launch. The Specialist, Sourcing will be responsible for sourcing and helping support managing relationships with suppliers of raw materials and equipment, ensuring that our operations are profitable and aligned with our industry standards.

Primary Responsibilities

• Work closely with engineering, production, and quality assurance teams to understand material requirements and ensure that procurement strategies support production needs and product quality.
• Help to manage/source the new supplier development program and maintain current supplier commercial communication to assure the production needs and requirement.
• Utilize negotiation and accountability skills to build effective vendor relationships.
• Administer the tracking for the new supplier program cost and timing, organize regular management reviews to ensure the program within budget and launching on time.
• Provide support to the Inside Sales department to follow up on deliveries; provide tracking numbers and ETAs to ensure freight arrive on time to the correct location.
• Support cost reduction and other business improvement initiatives.
• Adhere to efficiency processes (i.e. JIT) to ensure compliance.
• Work to maintain and balance our Logistics transparency internally and externally.
• Create request for quotation (RFQ); Meet with vendors and select vendors based on price, service and ability to meet production needs.
• Process purchase requisitions from internal departments and ensure proper approvals have been given prior to placing items on order.
• Liaise with freight forwarder, domestic and international suppliers regularly to monitor the status of shipment and ensure materials arrive on time.
• Identify and communicate issues arising from the supply of materials and services with both the vendor and internal material team.
• Monitor, evaluate, and analyze vendor and supplier performance to ensure quality and delivery requirements are met.
• Help to manage supplier relationships and update management on any issues with vendors.
• Help to manage, maintain and update Material Requirement Planning (MRP) data and investigate abnormal material usage.
• Monitor production schedules to assess future production needs; Balance available materials on order with ongoing production requirements.
• Participate in weekly planning and purchasing conference calls.
• Perform new material cost evaluation for management review.
• Take on additional tasks when other departmental staff are absent.
• Support ISO 9001 activities.
• Identify potential risks in the supply chain and develop contingency plans to mitigate disruptions. Stay informed about market changes and supply chain dynamics that may impact procurement activities.
• Maintain awareness of use of SAP (ERP system).

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management or an acceptable combination of education and progressively responsible experience.
• Minimum 1-2 years work experience in an administrative capacity of purchasing, logistics and SQEs.
• Strong knowledge of general office procedures involving procurement, travel arrangements, budget management, and reports.
• Ability to write and format moderately complex correspondence, including memos and letters.
• Accuracy and attention to detail required.
• Excellent writing skills; Proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation is required.
• Superior time management and multitasking skills required.
• Ability to prioritize tasks with minimal supervision.
• Strong resourcefulness and flexibility.
• Strong communication skills with all levels of the organization.
• Strong customer service orientation, interpersonal skills, and telephone manners.
• Able to deal with people sensitively, tactfully, confidentially, diplomatically, and professionally at all times.
• Able to work efficiently as a part of a team as well as independently.
• Computer literacy, including effective working skills with MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), CNM, and e-mail required.

Compensation and Benefits

Canadian Solar offers a competitive salary plus fully comprehensive benefits and performance bonus package based on an annual objective achievement. Our generous benefits package includes a 401(k) Retirement Plan, medical/life/disability program, PTO and sick days.

Canadian Solar Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.