Applications Manager

ITW•Norwood, MA

1d•$115,000 - $140,000

About The Position

The Static Applications Manager is a key position within the Static Business at Instron (a division of ITW) required to meet and exceed the growth and profitability goals and ensures that the business remains the global leader. This position leverages first-hand understanding of customer needs, product and applications expertise, excellent communication skills and leadership instincts at all times to drive activities and decisions that maintain Instron’s position in the market as a premium supplier of materials testing equipment and the highest level of customer satisfaction. Static Applications Manager leverages the product and applications expertise required in applications engineering to develop and mentor a team of applications engineers who thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and are driven to excel and perform at their highest potential. Additionally, the Applications Manager will become proficient in our extensive line of testing equipment, accessories and software and to utilize that technical and product knowledge to create marketing collateral, to provide sales support and to solve testing challenges tailored to unique materials and product testing applications. This position will involve close and detailed contact with our customers and field sales force to produce complex system proposals, pursue custom product requests, resolve customer issues and build customer relationships. In addition, you will be required to conduct product demonstrations, sales presentations, and be involved in training the sales, service and support staff on the use of our products.

Requirements

Requires strong cross-functional leadership skills (sales, engineering, operations, etc.) and project management expertise.
Must have a strong understand and appreciation for materials and product testing, usually acquired through a combination of completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Materials Science as well as 3-5 years of applications engineering experience.
Must possess and demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills and have a proven track record of thriving in a team environment.
Ability to deliver results through exceptional project management skills and natural leadership capabilities.
Must have a desire to travel as required.

Responsibilities

Develop and mentor a team of applications engineers to their highest potential and as future leaders in the organization
Manage the daily operations and activities of the Instron Demonstration Laboratory (Demo Lab), including scheduling of customer and field applications test requests and customer demonstrations.
Ensure that the laboratory is clean, organized, and maintained in a presentable form. May also assist in product testing, trouble-shooting, and evaluation with equipment in the Demo Lab.
Maintain the inventory of the Instron Demo Lab, including ordering, loan, and turn-over of equipment on a timely basis.
Review and ensure that the quality of customer reports from the Demo Lab meets sales requirements and Instron professional standards.
Supports ongoing order pursuit by providing customized testing solutions and configuration recommendations for specific customer applications.
Oversee the Machine Order Review Process (MOCT) and implement necessary corrective actions when necessary.
Interacts with Sales and Engineering to gain an understanding of optimized system configurations, competitive applications information, and system proposals.
Participates in training of sales, service, and support staff on use of products to fulfill customer needs.
Assists with product demonstrations to customers in the field and at the factory.
Assists in the production of sales tools such as application books, presentations, seminar/webinar content and product videos in accord with ongoing Marketing campaigns.
Attend and maintain high visibility at targeted technical conferences, tradeshows, exhibits, and seminars.
Works with Product Management Team to identify and document competitive advantages in specific application and market niches.
May help to identify new market opportunities and market trends through interaction with customers, and documents them with emphasis on customer application requirements for planning and product development.
Assist Product Management Team with voice of the customer and market research studies as required.
Participate in the development of requirements and as required, usability studies, in new product development efforts.
Work with the Marketing & Communications Team to create and maintain marketing plans, advertising and sales tools including brochures, product descriptions, testing solutions, web content, etc.
Leverage Instron’s social media channels and marketing events to support Instron as a thought leader in the industry.
Leverage ITW Toolbox skills – 80/20, USa and PLS – and actively participate in on-going projects team that maximize overall organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
Performs other duties as assigned