Transaction Execution Manager (Remote) (Sales)

First Solar is leading the world's sustainable energy future. We are an exciting work environment in one of the most important industries of the 21st century. First Solar is a leader in the development and manufacturing of thin film solar modules used in grid-connected solar power plants. Our cost-advantaged solar technology boasts the smallest carbon footprint, lowest life cycle water use, and fastest energy payback in the industry. We are delivering solutions to the world's most pressing challenges including climate change, energy security, water scarcity, and the unsustainable growing consumption of natural resources. At First Solar, you will feel valued, appreciated and challenged, working side-by-side with some of the top minds in the industry. You will be regularly updated on the company's goals, progress and achievements. First Solar maintains a culture where all associates work together to lead the world's sustainable energy future. We believe in employee engagement, collaboration, well-being and productivity for all generations and emerging work styles.We're changing the world. Now, let us start with yours. First Solar is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. First Solar's policy is not to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability or any other basis protected by application country, federal, state or local laws; the company prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories.

Basic Job Functions:

The Manager, Commercial Transactions is a senior individual contributor that supports First Solar's Americas Global Business Development team by negotiating, executing and managing customer-facing sales contracts that support First Solar objectives for bookings and profitability while balancing, commercial, legal and execution risk. Principal customer facing agreements include Module Sale Agreements but also include various post-contract instruments (for example; change orders, amendments, assignments, notices of default, force majeure notices). This position works closely with the origination and fulfilment teams and is the principal customer interface responsible for negotiating contracts and post-contract documentation that align with First Solar's commercial objectives, execution capabilities, and that achieve consistency with commercial and risk management guidelines.
 

The Manager, Commercial Transactions interacts extensively with First Solar Vice Presidents and Directors, the legal team and all relevant subject matter experts and is responsible for obtaining cross-functional buy-in on the compromises necessary to secure and maintain the business and for ensuring that the fulfilment teams are aware of the commercial obligations in the contracts.

This role can work remotely from any US location.

Experience:    

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a customer interfacing position, regularly managing contractual commitments, in aggregate, of $100 MM per annum or more
• Experience and detailed commercial and legal knowledge of the principal customer-facing agreements
• Proven success in commercial deal structuring, pricing strategy, and contract development and negotiation
• ERP and CLM experience strongly desired
• Strong leadership, vision, business acumen and exemplary work ethic

Education:

• B.A. degree in Business, Technical or Legal related field or combination of Education, Certificate (Legal / Contract Management focus) and 5+ years' experience in fulfilling contracts

Required Skills/Competencies:

• • Bachelors degree required
  • Juris Doctor or equivalent career experience, preferred
  • Masters degree in Business Administration, preferred
  • Strong cross-functional leadership skills
  • Exemplary customer service skills, interfacing directly with company heads, vice presidents, and legal counsel on “the other side of the table”
• Business acumen, including excellent critical thinking and analytical ability, along with strong organizational and risk assessment skills, and demonstrated time management ability
  • Contract drafting capability preferred
  • Strong ability to identify, evaluate, and allocate risks.
  • Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to discern subtle requirements, nuances and differences within complex commercial and legal documents
  • Solid technical acumen and/or in-depth knowledge of solar power plant technology, construction, operation, maintenance and performance
  • Commitment to Scope of Authority and Business Code of Conduct; act and guide others with integrity
  • Exceptional written and oral communication skills
  • Highly effective time management skills, with the ability to execute on multiple negotiations and business objectives simultaneously
• Aptitude to quickly learn new business applications, processes, and provide recommendations for improvements

Essential Responsibilities:

• • Lead negotiation of principal customer facing contracts, including original contracts as well as post-contract agreements/documents.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with customers' commercial counterparts.
  • Work with team members to ensure the contracting nuances of risk management, warranties, deliverables, tax, accounting, revenue recognition, bonuses, damages, costs, and schedule are understood and are consistent with SoA policies and procedures
  • Represent transactions Deal Review Committee process
  • Interface closely with Executive Leadership Team, legal, finance, accounting, tax, risk management, internal audit, and other critical functions essential to deal negotiations and approvals
  • Develop and maintain a streamlined negotiation process to minimize risk and reduce legal costs, while ensuring strict adherence to First Solar's Scope of Authority (SoA) policies and procedures
  • Follow procedures that ensure a timely and complete handover of executed commercial agreements to the fulfilment teams responsible for delivering on contractual obligations.
  • Provide effective leadership to direct and indirect reports in support of commercial transactions
  • Work closely with cross-functional deal teams including Warranties to eliminate gaps, manage risk and deliver a cohesive set of agreements
  • Responsible for the timely preparation of draft agreements;  ensuring that the legal, commercial, and operational obligations meet performance and profitability targets 
  • Coordinate reviews of customer draft agreements and seek replacement with First Solar forms if possible; if not possible, understand and document deviations from First Solar's standard agreements and obtain SoA approvals as required
  • Ensure timely preparation and review of requests for proposals, term sheets, exhibits, warranties, guarantees, and other agreement documents to meet deal closing deadlines and customer schedules
  • Travel to customer locations as necessary for negotiations and relationship development; domestic and international travel required.
  • Other duties as assigned

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to Director, Commercial Transactions
• No direct reports

Travel:

• • Travel to customer locations as necessary for negotiations and relationship development; domestic and international travel required.
• 15 to 25% potential

[Americas] 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.