Manager - Applications Engineering

Summary

The Applications Manager role is to act as the lead technical products liaison for the customer. The Applications Manager will analyze the needs of the customer to offer reasonable and efficient product design/development engineering solutions. The successful incumbent will be responsive to the customer; this will include coordination of product materials, manufacturing process, testing, quality, project management, and troubleshooting for successful project development and release. The Applications Manager also will manage the CAE team for setting up priorities in conjunction with global CAE team. The incumbent will work with associated departments (including QC, R&D, and Production) to efficiently bring MML's new products to market while simultaneously and constantly improving customer satisfaction and business retention. Due to advanced technical knowledge, the incumbent is expected to provide technical assistance, coaching, and mentoring to other group members.

With the support of the Director, Engineering & Project Management, the Applications Manager will lead the training and development of TSEs in India. The incumbent is responsible for developing and managing employees, employment decisions, and performance reviews. The Applications Manager will coordinate with the global Inside Sales team and TSEs to support global projects for program management, presentation, and training.

Key Duties And Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Manage the daily activities of the Technical Sales Engineers (TSEs) by providing technical support, leadership and mentoring, on a daily basis;
• Monitor and meet deadlines for responses and actions committed during any interaction with customers and application; report results of KPI’s to the Director, Engineering & Project Management.
• Ensure that all quotations are done in a uniform way through out the department, and in accordance with the Company standards;
• Continuously drive new product commercialization projects by proactively identifying and eliminating obstacles, establishing clear and objective tasks for the team, and providing Business Development with credible and attainable timetables for customers;
• Support and Review technical inquiries of customers to recommend and suitable hot runner system; Respond to technical queries by customers and Sales representatives;
• Accountable for keeping customers and sales representatives informed;
• Support applications’ technical review for resin specifications, gate locations etc., and decide whether any simulation analysis are needed for the project, and evaluate the results to suggest best solution to customers;
• Ensure that hot-runner/hot-half designs are reviewed/approved by the TSEs before they are sent to customers;
• Ensure that customer standards are followed on designs and jobs where applicable;
• Take part in technical review meetings, mold design reviews, and mold start-ups of key programs/projects as needed, to ensure successful application of hot runner system and provide concept of manifold layout and special components of hot runner system to ensure optimum hot runner system is designed;
• Follow up the status of jobs through design and manufacturing with the help of administrative staff so that jobs are being carried out without any issues;
• Review, recommend and approve any change requests for orders;
• Review the technical documents, quick start guides, and configuration documents that can be used both internally and externally; ensure accuracy of the technical information;
• Keep the Director, Engineering & Project Management and the Director of Sales informed of potential performance obstacles and offer possible solutions;
• Meet with customers/agents as determined necessary to better carry out technical problem identification and resolution;
• Lead the CAE team and prioritize jobs based on customer hierarchy, urgency, and nature of request (Field service issue and breakdown,)
• Keep up to date with the latest technological developments and trends related to hot runners systems, hot halves and related components by attending training courses and industry meetings and reading specialist literature; organizes appropriate training of department(s) to ensure that staff’s technical knowledge level is in accordance with the requirements of the organization;
• Supervise assigned personnel – define work assignments, manages overtime goals, etc;
• Manage employee relations issues for assigned work area with guidance when required;
• Work closely with Human Resources to ensure timely hiring and training of staff is completed in keeping with the annual head count plan;
• Evaluate employee performance for completion of Performance Reviews;
• Develop departmental KPIs working with Director, Engineering & Project Management.
• Maintain accurate records for time administration in SAP;
• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety program;
• Ensure ISO guidelines are followed for assigned unit;
  
  

Providing services and support to internal and external customers, suppliers

The Applications Manager will manage staff and approved project resources, interfaces with all management levels and external customers, and agent network. Consequences of the decisions can have an impact on medium and long-term customer relations. Create proactive approaches in the areas of responsibility include building customer centric orientation in staff and driving high customer satisfaction/loyalty.

Key resources: other people and/or capital and equipment

The incumbent of this role is responsible for managing the activities for the TSE’s. The Applications Manager will mentor, coach, direct, conduct performance reviews and interview new hires. Under the general direction of the Director, Engineering & Project Management., they will oversee all Application related requests; act as a resource to other departments to resolve and recommend improvements to existing products.

The Applications Manager will ensure that employees are working in accordance to Company Policy and Procedures and Employment Legislation, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Employment Standards Act.

Decision Making

The incumbent of this role has completed extensive training and/or acquired hands on experience that will allow them to make sound business decisions. The Applications Manager has decision-making authority for day-to-day operations of the TSE Group and decisions regarding Free Goods and Field Service. As a key member of the TSE Team, the incumbent will lay out a successful plan that is regularly reviewed with management and yields a profitable client relationship (i.e. staffing plan, project scoping, workload projection, revenue reporting, client needs, etc.). They will be responsible for implementing initiatives to maintain and grow accounts by identifying areas for projects not currently being utilized to better Mold-Masters customer base. The incumbent will make hiring decisions in conjunction with the Director, Engineering & Project Management. The Applications Manager’s work is performed with considerable independence within the broad scope of activities.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The incumbent of this role must have a University Degree in Engineering, with minimum of twelve (12) years related experience and/or CIPET/NTTF with minimum of 15 years related experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience with SAP or an ERP system is preferred. The individual should have an excellent record with Engineering, Technical Sales Representatives and Manufacturing to help identify development opportunities, evaluate competitive products and determine product costing. They may also make recommendations to Research & Development for both new products and current product improvements. Previous experience with material rheology as related to injection molding processes is required.

Must have minimum 4 to 5 years' experience in Hot Runner system development

Must have minimum (4-5) years' experience in a leadership role. In this role, the incumbent will require company-sponsored Due Diligence and Emergency Response Training and have general knowledge of Employment Legislation, including Employment Standards Act and Occupational Health and Safety act.

A strong attention to detail, ability to work in a fast-paced environment and excellent organizational skills are required. The incumbent must be capable of reading and interpreting documents such as process documentation, blueprints, operating and nstructions and procedure manuals. The ability to write routine reports and to communicate effectively with employees, management, and customers, is a requirement.

Other required level of technical and/or practical judgment to perform the work :

Ability to manage and spearhead development of program strategies and analysis of new business activity, as needed (e.g. target customer evaluation, timing/scheduling strategy, etc); information collection and analysis, presentation preparation and delivery and written proposal development; lead design reviews as required with the customers, engineering, sales, manufacturing and production. The Applications Manager must have the ability to cultivate positive relationships with customers. Demonstrated ability to plan, execute and refine process, operations, reporting improvements and other business project objectives is required.

Who we are:

Milacron is a global leader in the manufacture, distribution and service of highly engineered and customized systems within the $27 billion plastic technology and processing industry. We are the only global company with a full-line product portfolio that includes hot runner systems, injection molding, extrusion equipment. We maintain strong market positions across these products, as well as leading positions in process control systems, mold bases and components, maintenance, repair and operating (“MRO”) supplies for plastic processing equipment. Our strategy is to deliver highly customized equipment, components and service to our customers throughout the lifecycle of their plastic processing technology systems. Milacron is an Operating Company of Hillenbrand.

Hillenbrand (NYSE: HI) is a global industrial company that provides highly-engineered, mission-critical processing equipment and solutions to customers in over 100 countries around the world. Our portfolio is composed of leading industrial brands that serve large, attractive end markets, including durable plastics, food, and recycling. Guided by our Purpose — Shape What Matters For Tomorrow — we pursue excellence, collaboration, and innovation to consistently shape solutions that best serve our associates, customers, communities, and other stakeholders. To learn more, visit: www.Hillenbrand.com.

EEO: The policy of Hillenbrand Inc. is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or veteran status. Additionally, Hillenbrand Inc. and our operating companies are committed to being an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us at [email protected] . In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying. At Hillenbrand, everyone is welcome to apply and "Shape What Matters for Tomorrow".