Materials purchaser

Job Title: Material Planner / Purchaser (MRP Specialist)

Department: Supply Chain

Reports to: Supply Chain Manager

Location: Hounen Solar America Inc., Orangeburg, South Carolina (145 Millennium Road facility)

Employment Type: Full-time

Job Summary

Hounen Solar America Inc. is a leading U.S.-based manufacturer of high-efficiency photovoltaic solar modules, with a state-of-the-art 1GW+ production facility in Orangeburg, South Carolina. As a key player in America's growing domestic solar industry, we produce reliable, high-performance modules for residential, commercial & industrial (C&I), and utility-scale applications.

We are seeking a dedicated Material Planner / Purchaser (MRP Specialist) to join our supply chain team. This role focuses on direct materials planning and procurement (e.g., solar cells, glass, encapsulants like EVA/POE, frames, ribbons, junction boxes, etc.) using MRP logic in our ERP system. The position ensures timely material availability to support continuous production, optimal inventory levels, cost control, and supply chain resilience in the fast-evolving U.S. solar market.

Key Responsibilities

1. Execute MRP runs in the ERP system based on the Master Production Schedule (MPS), customer orders, BOMs, inventory data, and production forecasts to calculate net material requirements and generate accurate purchase requisitions and production orders.
2. Plan and allocate demand for critical PV raw materials (e.g., wafers/cells, glass, backsheets, encapsulants, aluminum frames, solder ribbons), accounting for specifications such as grade, color, bin, and efficiency to minimize production changeover losses.
3. Monitor supplier delivery performance, maintain daily/weekly shortage reports and incoming material schedules; proactively resolve delays, quality issues, or supply disruptions to achieve Just-In-Time (JIT) or Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) delivery.
4. Manage inventory parameters (safety stock, min/max levels, reorder points); track inventory turnover, identify slow-moving/obsolete risks, and recommend action plans (e.g., consumption, downgrade use, resale, or disposal) to minimize working capital and avoid stockouts.
5. Prepare and present regular reports on material shortages, on-time delivery rates, inventory analysis, and supply risks; contribute material insights to cross-functional S&OP (Sales & Operations Planning) meetings.
6. Collaborate with Purchasing, Quality Assurance, Warehouse, and Production teams on returns, corrective actions, quantity variances, and supplier performance evaluations.
7. Assist in supplier development, cost reduction projects, and supply chain risk mitigation to support Hounen Solar's commitment to high-quality, cost-competitive, and domestically-focused manufacturing.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education: Associate's degree or higher in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 3 years of hands-on experience in material planning, MRP execution, or procurement follow-up in a manufacturing environment;
• Experience in the solar/PV, electronics, semiconductor, or battery industry is highly preferred (familiarity with PV materials such as silicon wafers/cells, glass, EVA/POE, frames is a strong advantage);

Technical Skills:

• Strong proficiency in ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Epicor, or similar) with deep knowledge of MRP logic and modules;
• Solid understanding of MRP principles (gross/net requirements, lead times, safety stock, yield/loss factors, lot sizing);
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, formulas, data analysis); experience with Power BI or similar reporting tools is a plus;
• Familiarity with APS, MES, or advanced planning tools is advantageous.

Language Requirements:

• Bilingual fluency in English and Mandarin Chinese (spoken and written) is required. Candidates must be able to communicate effectively with international suppliers, read technical specifications/documents in both languages, and handle supplier correspondence in Mandarin when necessary.

Soft Skills:

• High sense of urgency, strong problem-solving ability, and capability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure manufacturing setting;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for cross-functional and cross-cultural collaboration;
• Detail-oriented, data-driven, and proactive with strong analytical and forecasting abilities;
• Ability to handle multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy to prevent production disruptions.

Other Requirements:

• Willingness to work occasional overtime during peak production periods or urgent situations.