Technical Service Manager Americas

Summary

Execute the technical strategy to support the implementation of the growth plans and objectives of the Coatings business and provide direct technical support to customers and necessary internal contacts. Serve as a technical expert in the defined application segment of coatings.

Main Accountabilities

• Provide direct technical support to customers and handle customer enquiries for the Coatings Business covering aspects such as product specification, design issues and complaints.
• Participate and influence new product development decisions for the Coatings business, liaising with internal technical teams and providing expert advice on future applications.
• Keep abreast of market developments and competitive products, through internal and external sources, relating to how products perform, can be applied or tested and assess how this can be used to add value to the business.
• Serve as technical and applications expert, providing greater understanding of the Industry Segment products via in-depth training, within the company and to our Distributors.
• Develop guidelines and formulations for target segments and applications and give customers appropriate guidance for the use of our Product Range.
• Maintain contact with existing and prospective customers, either independently or together with the sales team, using all communication channels.
• Support the current business, understand customer needs, identify and progress opportunities to expand the use of the entire product range.
• Participate on the technical committees of the regional coatings organizations to increase our exposure there.
• Ensure with cooperation between Quality, Sales, Application Laboratories and Operations that customer complaints are handled effectively and to the satisfaction of the customer and ensure effective communication of the outcome.
• Ensure SHE compliance in line with relevant internal SHE regulations and all other legal and corporate standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Science based discipline required. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum five years’ experience in a coatings formulation role, preferably with previous experience in technical service for the coatings industry. Seven to ten years’ prior experience preferred.
• A proven ability to build and sustain good business relationships, to sell ideas, products and services.
• A technical background in polymer chemistry and/or in the coatings to understand customer needs in new market segments and to translate this to new product development requirements.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills: strong ability to summarize key messages for business activities or product advantages. Confident and articulate presenter.
• Full commitment to business integrity, customer value, teamwork, innovation, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I).
• A mission-driven, team player with the desire to make an impact and difference.
• Excellent MS Office software experience, CRM and planning tools (e.g. C4C, Salesforce, Arkieva).
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel up to 30%.
• Located in Ohio and/or Midwest close to customer clusters and Technology Team, within driving distance of a major airport.