Carrier Procurement Specialist

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.

Basic Job Functions:

• Responsible for sourcing transportation providers and securing carrier capacity to support First Solar's domestic and international logistics requirements.
• Leads carrier procurement activities, including bid events, rate negotiations, contract development, and carrier onboarding.
• Develops and maintains relationships with truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), intermodal, and drayage service providers.
• Evaluates carrier performance through scorecards and performance metrics, aligning freight allocations with top-performing carriers.
• Identifies and implements transportation cost savings and service improvement opportunities through strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Maintains transportation rates, routing guides, and carrier data within Oracle Transportation Management (OTM).
• Performs analysis of transportation spending, market trends, and carrier performance to support sourcing decisions.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field; equivalent professional experience may be considered.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in transportation sourcing, carrier procurement, logistics operations, transportation brokerage, or supply chain management.
• Experience negotiating transportation rates and carrier contracts preferred.
• Exposure to multiple transportation modes, including truckload (TL), less-than-truckload (LTL), intermodal, and drayage required.
• Experience working within a manufacturing, distribution, or transportation environment preferred.
• Experience with transportation management systems (TMS), Oracle Transportation Management (OTM) preferred.

Required Skills/Competencies:

Technical:

• Proven organizational skills – ability to prioritize.
• Proven computer skills, including Microsoft Office or equivalent.
• In depth knowledge of TMS concepts.
• Knowledge of transportation procurement and carrier contracting practices.
• Understanding of transportation market dynamics, capacity management, and freight pricing.
• Knowledge of truckload, LTL, intermodal, and drayage transportation networks.

Accountabilities:

• Ability to analyze transportation spending and develop sourcing strategies.
• Strong negotiation skills with demonstrated success in securing favorable commercial agreements.
• Supplier relationships are maintained and improved.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Lead carrier negotiations, including transportation rates, accessorial charges, contract terms, and service level agreements.
• Utilize OTM and other input from internal stakeholders to determine what is needed to maintain contractual delivery obligations.
• Responsible for negotiating pricing and other commercial terms with all carriers.
• Independently investigates new providers for improved price, delivery, and quality.
• Identify and onboard new transportation providers to support business growth and mitigate capacity risks.
• Conduct transportation sourcing events, including RFPs, RFQs, and spot bid activities.
• Monitor transportation market conditions and make recommendations regarding carrier strategy and network optimization.
• Maintains effective communications levels and fosters team building.
• Adheres to all First Solar internal processes and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:

• This position will not have direct reports.

Travel:

• 5% - 10%

Estimated Salary Range:

US 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 accommodation that can be made without imposing an undue hardship.

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.