Manager, Operational Excellence

Job description

**COMPANY OVERVIEW** Hanwha Renewables, headquartered in Irvine, California, a member of Hanwha Group, a FORTUNE Global 500 firm that is among the eight largest business enterprises in South Korea. Hanwha Renewables designs, builds and manages renewable energy solutions. The company brings a decade of global leadership in renewable energy to North America, combining best-of-world technology, processes, and partnerships to deliver utility-grade energy solutions customized for local energy markets. Hanwha Renewables offers the full spectrum of energy solutions – from power plant development, design, construction, operations, and maintenance. With proven capabilities across the renewable energy value chain, Hanwha Renewables minimizes uncertainty and risk, and helps customers achieve a higher return on their investment in renewable energy. **POSITION OVERVIEW** The Manager, Operational Excellence supports the establishment and execution of a newly formed OE function within the COO organization. This role focuses on **cross-functional coordination, independent validation, and operational discipline** across the project lifecycle — from development and planning through execution and delivery. The OE Manager works closely with Development, Pre-Construction, PMO, IPP, SCM, and EPC partners to ensure that key decisions are **consistent, well-governed, and execution-ready**, while providing structured analysis and visibility to the COO organization. The employee may be required to perform other job-related duties as requested by management. All duties will be assigned in accordance with applicable laws and company policies. **RESPONSIBILITIES** 1. **Stage-Gate & Process Compliance Support** - Support the operation and monitoring of **Stage-Gate processes** across projects - Track and verify whether required deliverables, assumptions, and approvals are properly completed at each stage - Support validation of **RACI alignment** across cross-functional teams - Identify gaps, misalignments, or process deviations and escalate appropriately 1. **Independent Cross-Check & Validation** - Perform **independent cross-checks** on key project inputs, including: - Cost estimates and major CapEx assumptions - Project schedules and milestone logic - Long Lead Items (LLI) procurement plans - Safe Harbor-related timing and risk considerations - Support of key risks, open items, and mitigation actions 1. **Long Lead Item & Risk Tracking** - Assist in tracking and reviewing **critical long-lead equipment** (e.g., MPTs, BESS, Breakers, HV equipment) - Maintain visibility into procurement status, lead times, and execution risks - Support coordination between SCM, Pre-Con, PMO, and EPC teams to ensure alignment 1. **KPI & Operational Performance Monitoring** - Support definition, tracking, and reporting of **operational KPIs** - Monitor KPI performance and highlight trends, deviations, and improvement opportunities 1. **Cross-Functional Coordination** - Act as a coordination point between HQ and project teams to ensure information consistency - Support collaboration with EPC partners (including Qcells) through structured data and issue tracking 1. **Executive & Management Reporting Support** - Prepare concise materials, summaries, and dashboards for COO and management meetings - Support issue tracking and follow-up to ensure action items are closed **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** - Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or related field - **5–8 years of experience** EPC, or project-based organizations - Exposure to **utility-scale solar PV and/or BESS projects** preferred - Basic understanding of: - Project Lifecycle and Stage-Gate concepts - Cost, schedule, and risk management fundamentals - Long Lead Item procurement and execution risks - Strong analytical and documentation skills - Bilingual in Korean and English - Proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, and project tracking tools **PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS** - Experience in Pre-Construction, Project Controls, PMO or Corporate Planning - Familiarity with Safe Harbor, ITC, or IRA-related considerations - Experience working with cross-functional teams in matrix organizations - Prior experience supporting executive-level reporting or governance processes **COMPENSATION:** $140,000- $165,000 salary *Attention external recruitment firms, we will not accept any unsolicited resumes at this time. Please do not contact any internal member of our company to discuss the position or to solicit candidates.* *Hanwha Renewables provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.*