Application Engineering Manager

Application Engineering Team Leader

To lead the application engineering team, responsible for technical assistance in the design and integration of customer applications throughout Europe and regions outside of America. Provides technical support to sales staff in determining possible applications of company product to customer requirements.

May prepare and present demonstrations and applications of company product. May provide training and follow-up technical support for customers and distributors. Adheres to all divisional health and safety regulations. Responsible for associate development and daily coaching of direct reports.

This position has a significant impact on sales and overall image of the Linear Motion Division, which in turn impacts quality, delivery, cost, and safety. By supporting the sales and channel organizations with technical assistance and quotations, the role has a direct impact on growth and profitability.

The role listens to and provides the Voice of the Customer, critical to driving improvements and indirectly influencing the entire workforce. The impact of this role will be measured through departmental PD and KPI methods.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for managing process of product selection assistance, technical support, and custom or modified product requests based on customer specified requirements.
• Responsible for daily, weekly, and monthly metric performance related to quality of quotation and technical support with additional focus on meeting customer expectations for time to quote.
• Daily mentoring of direct and matrix reports, including conducting quarterly reviews and associate development processes.
• Lead continuous improvement projects within Application Engineering department as well as customer-facing initiatives.
• Customer liaison between Product design, Production and other internal departments.
• Communicate professionally via telephone, e-mail and occasionally in person.
• Interprets customer needs and aids the customer in defining technical and commercial requirements.
• Works with sales team (internal and external) to manage assigned accounts for product direction, profitability, growth, and attaining sales objectives.
• Assists in developing standard procedures and policies to support lean methods in the office environment and performance measurement metrics.
• Assists in defining and implementing marketing plans to gain new customers and achieve sales growth objectives.

Critical Competencies

• Accountability – takes ownership of expected outcomes
• Communication – listens to others and creates clarity through communication
• Customer Success – clearly articulates customer needs to drive customer satisfaction
• Customer Success – provides excellent service to internal and external customers
• Passion to win – actively seeks out and recognizes opportunities that help company grow
• Leadership – creates a compelling vision and leads by example
• Leadership – acts in a manner that promotes followership; leverages the strengths of individuals
• Continuous Improvement – constructively and creatively works towards win-win solutions
• Organizational Effectiveness – drives momentum to achieve desired outcomes
• Relationship Management – builds sincere and mutually beneficial bonds with people

Education and Experience Requirements

• Previous technical support, application engineering or customer interfacing experience.
• Experience in leading or supervising associates in a dynamic team environment preferred
• Demonstrated ability to lead process improvement initiatives.
• Ability to apply effective mentoring methods with focus on associate development.
• Ability to lead by example, sets high standards for effective communications
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office Products (Excel, Word, Power Point & Outlook).
• Previous experience with an ERP/CRM system preferred.
• German language desirable (but not essential)
• Demonstrated ability to learn quickly
• Has a willingness to obtain knowledge of company products, policies and procedures.
• Excellent oral & written communication skills.
• Superior telephone etiquette.
• Ability to understand and respond to customers in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Ability to work well in stressful situations and to remain calm and positive.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to work with different cultures

Languages

English essential, German desirable

Physical Demand and Work Environment

Physical Demands - While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment – The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate

The position requires occasional travel.