Buyer I
First Solar
Company Overview
First Solar, Inc.
Tempe, AZ, United States
1999
Approximately 7,000 employees globally (source: linkedin.com).
What They Do
First Solar specializes exclusively in thin-film photovoltaic solar technology, utilizing cadmium telluride (CdTe) semiconductors to manufacture large-format glass-glass modules. Their flagship products, the Series 6 Plus and Series 7 modules, are designed to produce electricity with a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to conventional crystalline silicon panels. This innovative approach allows First Solar to use only 2% of the semiconductor material per watt, completing production in just 4.5 hours per module under one roof, ensuring full traceability throughout the manufacturing process (source: investing.com). The company also engages in project development, operations and maintenance services, and offers complete PV solar power systems for third-party buyers, featuring innovative under-mount frames for quick installation and an in-house global recycling program that achieves a remarkable 90% recovery rate of semiconductor and glass materials (source: pvo-int.com). Their target markets include utility-scale developers, independent power producers, and commercial firms across various regions, including the United States, Europe, India, and the Middle East (source: investigate.afsc.org). As the largest solar manufacturer in the Western Hemisphere, First Solar is recognized as a Tier 1 producer, emphasizing energy security through domestic production and significant investments in research and development (source: hubspotusercontent-na1.net).
Projects & Track Record
First Solar has an impressive track record, having powered over 5,500 MW of large-scale solar plants across major European markets since 2005. Notable projects include supplying 104,000 panels to the Kalia solar farm in the occupied West Bank and 40,000 panels to Israel's largest solar farm located in the Ramat Hovav Industrial Zone (source: pvo-int.com). The company is currently expanding its manufacturing capabilities with a new 3.5 GW facility in Ohio that became operational in early 2023, and a $1 billion factory in Alabama set to begin operations in 2025. Additionally, First Solar is launching a plant in Tamil Nadu, India, expected to start production in late 2023, further enhancing its global capacity and supporting the anticipated growth in solar energy demand (source: hubspotusercontent-na1.net). The company’s strategic partnerships with utility-scale operators and system owners worldwide have solidified its position as a leader in the solar manufacturing sector (source: investing.com).
Recent Developments
In the past two years, First Solar has made significant strides in expanding its manufacturing footprint. In August 2022, the company announced a $1 billion investment for a new 3.5 GW manufacturing facility in Alabama, which is set to commence operations in 2025. This expansion is part of a broader strategy to increase U.S. solar output to over 10 GW DC by 2025, creating approximately 15,000 indirect jobs and contributing an estimated $3.2 billion in economic value (source: hubspotusercontent-na1.net). The company has also begun construction on its first factory in India, located in Tamil Nadu, which is expected to start operations by late 2023. First Solar continues to maintain its status as the only U.S.-headquartered company among the top 10 global solar manufacturers, with a strong emphasis on research and development, having invested over $1.5 billion since 2010 (source: pvo-int.com).
Working There
First Solar offers a diverse range of roles across various departments, including engineering, product management, sales and marketing, operations, and manufacturing. The company’s headquarters in Tempe, AZ, serves as the hub for executive leadership and key teams, while its manufacturing facilities in Ohio and the upcoming Alabama site focus on production-scale growth (source: salestools.io). The corporate culture at First Solar emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning, supported by open-plan offices, flexible seating arrangements, and wellness facilities. The company prioritizes employee well-being and professional growth, creating an environment that attracts top talent (source: salestools.io). Comprehensive benefits are offered to employees, although specific details regarding packages are not extensively documented in available sources (source: salestools.io).
Contact
Last updated on 2025-12-26 | Report an issue
Job Description
First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions
- Responsible for obtaining bids and placing orders to standard terms and conditions based on approved internal purchase requisitions for supplies, materials, services, and equipment.
- Negotiates pricing and delivery with vendors, supports the qualification of new suppliers and plans inventory levels according to established guidelines and in a cost-efficient manner.
- Responsible for assuring Purchasing Orders are placed and deliveries are scheduled and maintained to meet production requirements of one or more production material commodities and production consumables.
- Responsible for Master data creation and/or maintenance to support planning and Purchase Order execution.
Education/Experience
- Candidates must meet one of the following criteria to qualify:
- High School Diploma or equivalent and a minimum 2 years of relevant work experience (purchasing, planning/scheduling, and supply chain). Experience in a manufacturing environment preferred. Experience with commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures within Supply Chain. Experience with MRP concepts and one or more ERP systems (SAP preferred).
- Associate degree in a related discipline
- Bachelor's degree in a related discipline strongly preferred
Required Skills/Competencies
- Proven organizational skills - ability to prioritize.
- Good computer skills, including Microsoft Office or equivalent.
- Demonstrated or familiar with negotiation approaches and methods.
- Good communications and interpersonal skills.
Essential Responsibilities
- Responsible for assuring purchasing requisitions and orders are appropriately approved, information is complete, and negotiating prices with assigned vendors.
- With minimal direction, investigates new suppliers for improved price, delivery, and quality.
- Responsible for proposing and supporting the qualification of new suppliers.
- Responsible for managing inventory levels of assigned materials.
- As required, expedite or de-expedite deliveries and change scheduled quantities to meet changes in production or requirements.
- Notify suppliers of quality discrepancies in their incoming material; with internal and supplier experts, support the identification of root cause and assure corrective action; and assure material disposition is appropriately dealt with.
- Analyses aging purchase orders.
- Interfaces with many departments and assigned suppliers.
- Creates/Maintains Master data information.
- Maintains effective communications levels and fosters team building.
- Adheres to all First Solar internal processes and procedures, including safety, SOA, ISO9000, SIO14000, and housekeeping standards.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Job description subject to change at any time.
Reporting Relationships
- No direct reports.
Travel
- 10% travel is required during a given year.
Estimated Salary Range
- $47,000-$67,000 Annually
US Physical Requirements
Office Physical Requirements:
All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting. In order to best service our customers, internal and external, all associates must be able to communicate face-to-face and on the phone with or without reasonable accommodation. First Solar is committed to compliance with its obligations under all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, it attempts to reasonably accommodate applicants and employees in accordance with the requirements of the disability discrimination laws. It also invites individuals with disabilities to participate in a good faith, interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made without imposing an undue hardship.
Potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role. All candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully complete a background check and any other tests that may be required.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: First Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.
Get Job Alerts
Get alerts for Solar Energy jobs in New Iberia, Louisiana, United States
About the role
December 10, 2025
Full Time
Company
December 30, 2025
On-site
USD 47k–67k yearly
- New Iberia, Louisiana, United States
2 years of relevant work experience or equivalent education
UTC-06:00
Apply now
Job expired?Please let First Solar know you found this job on Rejobs. This will help us grow and get more people to work on renewable energy!
Discover how you’re connected
View connectionsSee your contacts at First Solar on LinkedIn to leverage your network in applying for this position.
Similar jobs near New Iberia, Louisiana, United States
Share with Friends
The stakes are high, and the time for talk has passed. Now is the time for action. Help a friend accelerate the shift to a sustainable future.
Share this job - Buyer I - with your folks, and help them find a career to be proud of.