Manager - Shift (m/w/d)
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
The Shift Manager controls the plant floor, prioritizing resources to optimize safety, quality, and throughput. This position is ultimately responsible for all scheduling, system and process improvements, and labor management.
Education/Experience
- High School Diploma or GED plus 5 years in manufacturing or engineering supervisory role OR
- High School Diploma or GED plus 3 years in First Solar supervisory role OR
- Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or manufacturing with no experience.
Required Skills/Competencies
- Proven ability to effectively manage salaried and production associates.
- Excellent understanding of computer applications.
- Proven ability to train and develop associates.
- Strong interpersonal skills to effectively manage employee relations.
- Knowledge of Human Resources Practices.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Demonstrated record of quality, cycle time and cost improvements using TOC, lean manufacturing, and kaizen concepts.
- Knowledge of environmental, health, and safety requirements
- Knowledge of manufacturing equipment and processes.
- Ability to analyze and solve problems effectively.
Essential Responsibilities
- Uses TOC and knowledge of operations to maximize line output.
- Leads production team.
- Optimizes production associate activities to achieve optimal safety, quality, and throughput.
- Analyzes and organizes material resources for maximum productivity and quality.
- Monitors manufacturing quality, productivity, and throughput with metrics. Makes data-based recommendations for improvement and coordinates implementation.
- Directs the training and development of associates on new processes and procedures.
- Is responsible for effective communication and fosters team building.
- Encourages process improvement using the proper format ensuring process and product safety, product quality, and lowering costs while increasing throughput.
- Optimizes ancillary support systems, such as WIP inventory control processes.
- Ensures waste materials are discarded in their designated containers.
- Ensures hazardous waste containers stay closed except when adding or removing waste.
- Ensures satellite accumulation containers stay in their designated locations.
Reporting Relationships
- This position will have direct reports.
Travel
- Up to 10% of global travel is expected
Estimated Salary Range
- $97,500 - $139,000
US Physical Requirements
Hybrid Physical Requirements:
- Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift.
- Will climb stairs on an occasional basis.
- Will lift, push, or pull up to 27 pounds on an occasional basis.
- Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.
- 20/40 vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required.
- Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.
- May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
- May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
- Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including but not limited to; steel toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, protective jacket or apron and arm guards).
- All associates working on the production floor may be required to wear a respirator at any given time and thus, the ability to wear a respirator is a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair).
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.
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About the role
December 11, 2025
Full Time
Company
January 2, 2026
On-site
USD 98k–139k yearly
- Trinity, Alabama, United States
5 years in manufacturing or engineering supervisory role or 3 years in First Solar supervisory role or Bachelor's degree with no experience
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