The Sales Application Engineer will be responsible for overall business and product development activities within a Product Group with a focus on Margin optimization and Sales targets.  Responsibilities will also include, but not be limited to, technical/commercial quoting, leading development and improvement of new and existing products to fulfill market and customer expectations to grow product group revenue.  The position includes direct interface with existing/prospective customers, internal customer service, engineering, marketing, operation groups, and Regional Sales Managers and/or Sales Agents.

Sales Application Engineer responsibilities also include managing the product throughout the Product Lifecycle, gathering and prioritizing product and customer requirements, defining the product vision, and working closely with Application Engineers, Engineering, and Marketing to deliver winning products. The Sales Application Engineer is responsible for defining the release process and coordinating all of the activities required to bring new products to market.  The Application Engineer also ensures that the product supports the company’s overall strategy and goals.

MAJOR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

·          Product knowledge expert.  Ensure annual sales and gross margin targets are achieved as outlined in goals and objectives.

·          Gather supplier and internal costing data to create proposals that meet the required sales revenue targets and directly follow-up with customers on proposals and related projects.

·          Liaison support between Engineering, Operations, R&D Laboratory and Test/Field Service Groups

·          Interface with Marketing Group to support product group promotional efforts

·          Interface and support Regional Sales Managers and Sales Agents business development activities

·          Lead new Product Development and Existing Product Enhancements/Improvement efforts

·          Be aware of and document competitors activities including general capabilities, product offerings, pricing and advantages/disadvantages

·          Update internal CRM system on business development activities 

·          Create technical white papers for submission to technical journals and periodicals

·          Recommends the nature and scope of present and future product lines by reviewing product specifications and requirements; appraising new product ideas and/or product or packaging changes, i.e. develop product lifecycle roadmap.

·          Assesses market competition by comparing the company's product to competitors' products.

·          Brings new products to market by analyzing proposed product requirements and product development programs; preparing return-on-investment analyses; establishing time schedules with engineering and manufacturing.

·          Introduces and markets new products by developing time-integrated plans with sales, marketing, and production.

·          Determines product pricing by utilizing market research data; reviewing production and sales costs; anticipating volume; costing special and customized orders.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

·          Minimum 8 years B-to-B industrial machinery capital equipment sales experience

·          BA/BS in a technical field of study

·          Product Management experience

·          Strong customer service and relationship development skills

·          Verbal, writing and presentation skills

·          Experience in technical proposal writing

·          Experience with AutoCAD and SolidWorks software products (or comparable products)

·          Ability to read and understand mechanical drawings

·          Ability to understand electrical machine controls, control devices and control schematics

·          Domestic and potential international travel (estimated ±30% of time)

·          Experience reviewing and implementing corporate specifications and standards

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PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

·          Minimum 10 years  B-to-B complex industrial machinery capital equipment sales, engineering, or Product Management experience

·          Experienced in the Resistance Welding or Automation sales