Winder Field Service Expert

Summary

The Winder Field Service Expert performs specialized mechanical, technological, and process services for various types of winders. This role provides on-site and remote technical support for customers, attending scheduled maintenance shutdowns, managing on-demand emergency services, and executing winder installations and rebuilds based on Voith guidelines. The Winder Field Service Expert conducts comprehensive process and mechanical inspections to assess equipment conditions, optimize winder performance, and identify applicable upgrades. This position requires maintaining accurate records and delivering clear technical reports, including parts recommendations and strategic action plans. The ultimate goal is to build long-term, trustful customer relationships by providing advanced technical solutions that meet business needs, ensuring excellent service execution focused on safety, quality, and winding efficiency. Although part of a broader winder service team, the Winder Service Expert frequently works independently to overcome technical service issues and must be self-driven and intrinsically motivated to deliver results on-site.

Responsibilities

• Expert Field Support: Provide specialized mechanical and process field services on existing and newly installed winders.
• Process & Technology Optimization: Analyze winding parameters (e.g., rider roll force, drum torque, and web tension) to troubleshoot and optimize roll structure and quality.
• Execution & Planning: Plan and prepare for service execution, including resources, tools, technical drawings, schematics, and required materials/parts.
• Installation & Rebuilds: Supervise third-party installation work and Voith mechanical teams to ensure precise assembly, alignment, and installation of winder components.
• Audits & Technical Assessments: Conduct comprehensive winder audits at customer sites to evaluate mechanical state and overall technological process performance to identify maintenance and upgrade opportunities.
• Customer Communication: Lead welcome and exit meetings with customers to discuss findings, progress, and recommendations.
• Reporting: Generate detailed technical reports featuring precise data, photographic evidence, recommended spare parts lists, and long-term maintenance action plans.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with engineering companies, contractors, and internal Voith departments to ensure seamless project and rebuild execution.
• Troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve complex mechanical and process-related winder issues, both on-site and via remote support.
• Commercial Support: Assist in estimating time, specialized tools, and resources for service and upgrade quotations.
• Knowledge Transfer & Training: Train customer maintenance and operations staff on proper methods to maintain and operate winder equipment; actively mentor junior field service team members by openly sharing process know-how and technical insights to strengthen overall team capability.
• Administrative & Compliance: Complete accurate time and expense reports, and comply with all company policies and safety procedures.

Qualifications

• Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Paper Technology, or a related field, with a minimum of three (3) years of dedicated maintenance, service, or operational experience with paper machine winders and finishing equipment.
• Travel: Ability to travel up to 60% to customer sites; occasional international travel required (mainly Canada and Mexico).
• Technical Expertise: Strong mechanical aptitude with a deep understanding of winder technologies, slitting systems, web handling, and hydraulics.
• Blueprint Proficiency: Advanced ability to interpret technical drawings, mechanical schematics, and assembly blueprints.
• Digital Literacy: Proficient in remote collaboration/video tools and standard Windows-based programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Soft Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills paired with excellent customer relations capabilities.
• Mindset & Autonomy: Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision; a self-driven and intrinsically motivated professional who thrives when diagnosing and overcoming complex technical service issues alone on-site.

While meeting all the above requirements and qualifications is ideal, candidates who do not possess every single asset but demonstrate a powerful motivation to learn, adapt, and grow on their own initiative are highly encouraged to apply and will still be fully considered.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to walk, stand, and use hands to finger, handle or feel.
• Frequently required to reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear.
• Regularly required to lift 10 pounds and occasionally required to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Safety glasses, hearing protection and other PPE are required in designated areas.