Director of EPC Warranties

Hanwha Qcells USA Corp (Qcells USA), headquartered in Irvine, CA, specializes in providing utility-scale modules, solar photovoltaic (PV), and battery energy storage systems (BESS) project development, along with Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services for solar and BESS projects nationwide. Qcells USA delivers comprehensive turnkey solutions encompassing the entire utility-scale project lifecycle.

About the role

The Director of EPC Warranties will be responsible for all aspects of the warranty program, utilizing a cross-functional leadership style working closely with internal teams such as Construction, Engineering, and Purchasing as well externally with OEMs who have supplied equipment and subcontractor for workmanship claims. This position reports to the Sr. Director of EHSQ or another management personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate.

This position is hybrid/remote located in Houston, Texas with working hours Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time. Travel is required up to 40% of the time across projects in the warranty stage. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and continuous improvement of processes to track warranty claims and related KPIs
• Design strategies to minimize the overall cost of warranty claims
• Lead the deployment of upstream warranty requirements into downstream contracts
• Provide management expertise and insight to accurately mitigate risks associated with warranties
• Handle or oversee and provide support to manage warranty claims, from initiation to close-out
• Interpret contract language to understand Contractors and Vendors responsibilities related to equipment and workmanship
• Obtain thorough understanding and maintain QCELLS USA EPC warranty obligations to each customer and develop collaborative relationships
• Find creative solutions to complex problems
• Review and analyze contract records to advise technical and Commercial SMEs to determine legitimacy of claims
• Coordinate clarifications and closure with contractors and OEMs on warranty related queries in a timely manner
• Support integration of Company systems to track, monitor and control costs of warranty claims
• Oversee the warranty claims reporting by creating and maintaining a database of all claims
• Prepare dashboard reports and recommendations for progressing warranty claims along with KPIs and advise team on data-driven decision making
• Ensure accurate utilization of approved systems for document control and updates of warranty claims and repairs
• Lead communications with owner, projects, and HQ for identifying, monitoring, and resolving warranty claims
• Interface with legal counsels as appropriate
• Support continuous improvement initiatives
• Create cost of claim closure financial estimates; risk and opportunity management
• Negotiate, draft and execute end of warranty settlements
• See through the execution of any QCELLS USA EPC warranty obligations alongside team members
• Perform additional assignments as required for EHSQ support

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university and 10+ years of experience or 15+ years of experience managing claims or utility-scale solar/renewable energy
• Contract management experience
• Prior experience in contract negotiation, project management, engineering, warranty management, or solar industry experience
• Proficiency in Procore Construction Management Software and Microsoft software suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Ability and desire to negotiate warranty claims with internal and external customers
• Strong oral and written communication skills directed at both internal executives and external customers
• Proven team player and collaborator with various levels of corporate structures
• Successful track record of operating commercially and executing plans effectively
• Ability to effectively present information internally and externally
• Proven experience working in fast paced, high visibility environment
• Experience working in cross-functional teams
• Travel required: up to 40%

Preferred Qualifications

• PowerBI experience
• Prior customer facing role

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 40% as needed

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)

Pay

The salary range for this position in Irvine, CA is required by the California Pay Transparency Act and may differ depending on the location of candidates hired nationwide. Actual compensation is influenced by internal pay equity, skill set, education, licenses and certifications, geographic location, essential job duties and requirements, and the necessary experience relative to the job’s minimum qualifications. An additional discretionary bonus structure or incentives may be offered as part of the overall compensation package, along with medical, dental, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.