Technical Advisor

Technical Advisor

Gougeon Brothers, Inc., a respected fifty-six-year-old establishment, stands as a beacon for its customer and employee welfare commitment. We manufacture top-notch epoxy resins and adhesives, proudly representing three esteemed global brands. Our dedication to quality is evident through our compliance with ISO9001:2015 standards.

About the Role

As a Technical Advisor, you'll be a technical expert for our industry-leading brands: WEST SYSTEM® Epoxy, PRO-SET® Epoxy, Entropy Resins®, and PRO-VAC USA®. The position offers a competitive cash compensation range of $52K-$63K per year. Occasional travel, with all associated expenses covered by the company. Utilize your boatbuilding and composite knowledge to support our customers in the marine, transportation, and infrastructure industries.

Perks and Benefits

Joining our team means enjoying an array of benefits: quarterly paid profit sharing, company sponsored 401K contribution and Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) contributions. Employer paid medical benefits through Blue Cross Blue Shield and BCN, as well as short term disability and term life insurance. Two weeks' vacation (to start!), a sabbatical of two weeks every third year (in addition to vacation), Paid Health leave as well as an average of ten paid holidays a year.

Location

This position is based on site at our headquarters in Bay City, MI.

Why Join Us?

Stability and Growth: With over five decades of success, we continue to grow and evolve. Strong Team Culture: We value our employees as part of our business family, fostering a caring and united team. Exceptional Benefits: Our comprehensive benefits package is highly competitive and designed to support your well-being. Winning Spirit: We believe in having fun while achieving success together.

Job Description

The following job description should not be construed as all-inclusive, or exclusive to the job described. This position is a full-time exempt position. The basic function of the Technical Advisor is to address customer technical inquiries, support the development of technical support media, and lead customer training efforts pertaining to GBI products. Technical Advisors will maintain a working knowledge of similar products and applications in the marketplace and perform a variety of R&D tasks to support GBI customers and new product development.

Specific Responsibilities (in no particular order)

• Write technical articles for GBI publications and support the development of videos and websites.
• Support Marketing initiatives including but not limited to attending trade shows, visiting customers, and giving technical lectures.
• Answer technical questions from customers and record appropriate.
• Prepare and test samples, materials and processes for new product development and customer service.
• Evaluate performance and create specifications for GBI process.
• Maintain awareness of competitive products and industry trends.
• Manage new product development and customer service projects as assigned by the VP of Technical Services.

General Responsibilities (in no particular order)

1. Continually learn more about the product and those application techniques, methods and processes that meet the needs of prospective end-users.
2. Strive to maintain conversance with the product's physical properties, chemical composition, and manufacturing considerations, difficulties and costs.
3. Maintain a close working relationship with all company departments and their members.
4. Demonstrate and promote the concept and advantages of being internally cooperative while externally competitive.
5. Actively support all Company policies, with special attention to safety, health, personal bias and poor conduct issues.
6. Participate and fully support the GBI Quality System and any other activities necessary to support the management and effective functioning of the company.
7. Attend and participate in all Company-wide meetings, lectures and annual social events.

Reporting Relationships

The Technical Advisor reports directly to the VP of Technical Sales.

Specific Requirements

• 5-10 years of experience in composite manufacturing and repair or experience in marine or related trades. An associate or bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in composites, plastics or a related discipline is desired.
• The ability to work with composite materials and processes in a fabrication shop environment.

General Requirements

1. A record of success reflecting consistent improvement, completion of assignments and obtainment of goals.
2. The ability to work with others, to be convincing and yet hold ideas and conclusions generously.
3. The skills and knowledge to keep all lines of communication open within the Technical Department and throughout the company.
4. The ability to work with other employees, understanding when to take charge and when to support or abstain.
5. The ability to communicate effectively with fellow employees, customers and colleagues by speaking and writing standard American English.
6. The ability to use computer writing and spreadsheet programs while being conversant with current computer capabilities.
7. A good understanding of business writing formats.
8. The senses of sight, touch, hearing and the ability to speak are required.
9. Walking is required within the office, production and storage areas. In addition, this position requires turning the head and torso, reaching, grasping, bending and flexing the arms, legs, wrists and fingers. The requirements may include lifting heavy boxes or objects of thirty pounds or more.

Working Conditions

1. The physical requirements will vary widely depending upon whether each day's activities require this position to be at the Corporate Office and Manufacturing Location or in the Field attending customer meetings, lectures or trade conventions.
2. When working in the Corporate Office and Manufacturing Location the environment will have temperatures and noise levels controlled. Some time may be spent in the laboratory, production and warehousing areas where temperatures and sound levels may vary. All areas of the company will be smoke free.
3. The normal workday at the corporate Offices is 8:00AM to 5:00PM Monday through Friday. However, the hours may be longer and days extended when participating in meetings, special projects or fieldwork.
4. This is a key position and may require attending scheduled meetings outside of normal working hours.
5. Travel is expected and required.

Specific Measures of Performance

• Stays current regarding technology, market, distribution and competitive entities and products.
• Ensures R&D activities are completed in a thorough and timely manner.
• Ensures customer support activities are positive for the customer.

General Measures of Performance

1. Good judgement has been demonstrated in resolving internal, customer and distribution problems.
2. Has displayed a positive attitude.
3. Has demonstrated an ability to recognize and deal with priorities.
4. Has demonstrated acceptable time management and planning skills in achieving company goals.
5. Actively develops new skills and is receptive to training as needed to adapt and improve the efficiency of the function.
6. Reports to work on time and is prepared to begin work (as scheduled).
7. The ability to gain confidence from coworkers due to a demonstrated level of competence and performance that is consistent, repeatable and reliable.
8. Ensures that personal waste and non-productive time are kept to a minimum.
9. Performs any other related duties as may be required by management.