RESPONSIBILITIES
- The Technical Service Manager focuses foremost on supporting customers (expectation approx. 75% of time). The function, together with Sales, initiates and executes Initiatives and Projects with customers that deliver on contribution targets within the current FY and prioritizes those projects to deliver sales 2 – 3 years beyond the current FY. Technical Service is therefore, together with Sales, the execution arm of Oil Additives (OA) for contribution margin achievement.
- Is pivotal player in increasing business development through technical marketing and strengthening technical contacts with target accounts.
- Together with Sales Manager, establishes and develops deep connections / relations to key functions & persons at customers, enabling high level, strategic management partnerships between Evonik and the customer. The role understands competitive challenges, specifically competitor’s technology and value proposition.
- Together with Marketing, articulates the value drivers for areas of application at specific Customers / Markets and translates these into Initiatives / Projects (e.g. to generate technical marketing data considering local needs).
- Executes the technical aspects of the Project to achieve the Project goal, both within OA's functional groups (TS, R&D, etc.) and at customers / 3rd parties. Has full technical responsible for formulation modification projects and liaises with Innovation as follows: initiates “smaller” polymer modification projects, interfaces with Perf Test Lab for test results on formulations, acts as key stakeholder in major R&D initiatives and projects. Interacts with Innovation to translate the technical performance of the product (in terms of Tribology, performance testing, viscometrics) into a value-based solution for the customer.
- Together with Sales, executes the commercial realization of new products / services (either from Evonik R&D, 3rd parties, or jointly via collaboration with customers).
- Supports manufacturing for quality issues that impact product specifications or performance, raw material substitutions, customer requested changes, etc.; consults with production and sales on technical customer complaints
- Possesses detailed application expertise on Evonik’s products / services for individual market segments, and an awareness of development projects and initiatives with OEMS (that impact on existing / market base) – the role understands and articulates current and future trends at existing customers / markets, and effectively communicates this within OA.
- Educates OA / customers / markets on OA technologies for areas of application, is involved with industry committees in which direct customers are involved, awareness on IP landscape on formulations and applications and protects / generates IP applicable for OA , and collaborates with Universities / 3rd parties on Tribology application research linked to existing customers / markets (and translates this back to customer specific Initiatives / Projects).
- Strengthen technical contacts to key regional accounts & target OEM’s.
- Participate in technical discussion with OEM customers by understanding their requirements from product development.
- Initiate lab projects / blend studies to recommend suitable products to improve formulations for customers.
REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s or Master’s in Chemical / Mechanical Engineering with 6 to 8 years of experience in technical service
- Effective user of IT tools and techniques for organizing the working environment and oneself
- Excellent IT-capabilities (Microsoft Office, SAP, etc.)
- Ability to function within varied cultural groups
- Willingness to move geographically and organizationally
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Good analytical and problem solving skills
- Team player and able to work independently
- Ability to travel as required based on business needs
