Applications Engineering Manager

Position Description

At a Glance

 

Legrand has an exciting opportunity for a Applications Engineering Manager to join the Lighting Sector Kenall Team. This is a hybrid position reporting to Kenosha, WI. Manages the Applications Engineering function, Kenall’s group of externally facing technical product experts. This person shall be adept on all Kenall product designs; inherently understanding their intended applications and both capabilities and limitations. This position provides day-to-day pre-sales technical support, product application design assistance and information gathering to support specification requirements. This role manages the team that serves as the liaison and authority between Sales and Design Engineering for all product customization requests. Success in this position means leading the team that provides internal and external support in the timeliest fashion to win the business over the competition while upholding our brand integrity. 

 

What Will You Do?

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Manage Kenall custom product requests (Yellow Sheets). Work with team members designated to authorize and accept such requests providing information required to make the decision, i.e. quantity special circumstances, strategic opportunities, manufacturing and engineering “cost,” etc. Process inquiries and respond in a timely manner while being able to track all aspects of the inquiry process. Provide estimated product costs, lead times, and work required by Engineering in a timely and judicious manner. Represent Kenall Engineering in Yellow Sheet Large Job Review meetings and provide solutions to expedite order fulfillment.
• Maintain a deep understanding of all Kenall product designs to quickly provide answers to internal and external inquiries regarding the capabilities and limitations of performance.
• Act as a liaison between Design Engineering and Sales to assure that solutions being specified and sold are the most expedient and provide the highest margin for the company.
• Work closely with Sales to get Kenall product on new specs consistent with company objectives.
• Stay abreast of competitor products and work closely with Sales to tactically position Kenall products or educate agents on the benefits of Kenall products over our competitors.
• Provide feedback to Engineering Management and Marketing Product Management on significant customer inquiries, trends (by product, application, region, agent, etc.) and other insightful information valuable for product line management and new product development activities. Shall report revenue generated by Applications department on monthly, quarterly and annual basis.
• Have direct contact with specifiers (with agent’s authorization) to provide technical product support for their specific needs. Establish and maintain relationships with agents and specifiers.
• Assist Product Management and Engineering in creating and maintaining product datasheets, instruction sheets and other supporting technical assets (i.e. IES files, materials compliance, TM-21, LM-79 reports, etc.) for external consumption to support the specification and sales of Kenall products over its competition. Create and manage database of technical assets.  Ensure Kenall products are ‘easy’ to specify.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Active participation in ongoing individual training / development program.
• Resolve day to day issues initiated by Inside Sales and Kenall Engineering management.
• Set goals and objectives with Manager; look for ways to improve quality and productivity.
• Follow safety rules and procedures.
• Perform backup functions to other team members and to Manager as instructed. Engage in cross-training to support backup efforts as directed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Skills

 

Education:

• Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.

Experience:

• 3-5 years in a similar applications engineering, technical pre-sales role or design engineering role.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Demonstrated ability to display strong customer service and technical skills.
• Demonstrated project management skills.
• Strong electrical and mechanical aptitude.
• Strong knowledge of lighting design practice and terminology.
• Ability to read, interpret and create lighting layouts and calculation results.
• Proven ability to work closely with Engineering, Sales and Marketing functions.
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills as