As Operations Manager you will be responsible for planning and managing the timely execution of test operations, maintaining the test equipment and facilities.  You will be working closely with the parent organizations in Germany and North America to set-up the new test laboratory and establish operational procedures and control systems. CFV is looking for a strong team player, with exceptional leadership skills and experience in this field, a can-do attitude, and the motivation to make CFV the premier PV test services provider in North America.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Conduct PV-module tests, manage operators and coordinate logistics, shipping, receiving, and internal workflow for PV test operations.
• Implement a production control system for capacity planning, order tracking, time reporting, and cost analysis.
• Generate regular production reports and analyze operational costs.
• Develop operational procedures for testing of PV modules according to UL and IEC standards.
• Develop and optimize the material flow and logistics concept for the new test lab.
• Set-up a safety procedures and function as the safety representative and internal trainer.
• Maintain test equipment and machinery with the help of technicians and test engineers.
• Schedule and coordinate preventive maintenance and service.
• Manage facility including coordination of contractors for utilities, HVAC system, water chiller, janitorial services, etc.
• Help develop and build fixtures and test equipment, using own resources and contractors

   Required Experience and Education:  

• BS in engineering or equivalent (manufacturing, industrial, mechanical or electrical)
• 5+ years experience managing production / operations
• Experience implementing or optimizing Production Control/MRP/ERP Systems
• Experience with equipment maintenance and facility management
• Logistics/shipping/safety experience

Additional Qualifications:

• PV-Testing or PV-Manufacturing Experience
• ISO 9001 quality management or ISO 17025 laboratory standards experience
• Facilities management experience
• Lean / Six Sigma Training
• Maintenance or trade training
• Project management professional (PMP), APICS or similar certifications
• Cost analysis experience
• Mechanical CAD experience

Soft skills: 

• Strong team leader and motivator, level-headed with good conflict resolution skills
• Excellent organizational and planning skills
• Professional, responsible and confident in enforcing procedures and rules
• Self-motivated, able to work with minimal supervision and under pressure
• Able to get things done and improvise when needed

About CFV Solar Test Laboratories, Inc.:  

CFV Solar Test Laboratory (CFV) is a new photovoltaic (PV) test center jointly owned by CSA International of Canada, VDE Institute and Fraunhofer ISE of Germany and Fraunhofer CSE of Cambridge, MA.  CFV will perform certification testing of PV modules according to North American (UL) and international (IEC) standards for flat panel, thin film and CPV modules. The laboratory will be located in Albuquerque, NM, and will be a state-of-the-art test facility. For additional information view our website at http://www.cfvsolar.com