The Technical Applications Manager is responsible for supporting the sales team in addressing client needs from a process and technical capability perspective. This role is crucial in ensuring that our technical solutions align with client requirements and business objectives. The manager will collaborate closely with the sales team to understand client needs and provide technical expertise to develop tailored solutions. They will develop a deep understanding of our products, applications, services, and policies to offer top-tier technical support. Additionally, the manager will maintain awareness of market trends and the competitive landscape to inform strategic planning and client engagements.

In this role, the manager will assist clients in solving technical challenges by integrating product, process, and application knowledge. They will support the maintenance and expansion of existing business relationships, ensuring client satisfaction and loyalty. The manager will provide technical support across various markets, including Precision Industrial, Aerospace, Metallurgy, Electronics, and Semiconductor. They will contribute to strategic planning by conducting market research and providing insights into value chains and market dynamics. Furthermore, the manager will supply upper management with market information and updates to support informed decision-making. While the role does not involve direct price negotiations, the manager will maintain an awareness of the commercial aspects of client relationships.

Essential Functions:

New business development:

• Collaborate with Sales Manager(s) and leadership to understand client technical needs and align them with our product capabilities.

• Utilize deep technical knowledge to identify opportunities where our products can solve client challenges and add value.

• Collaborate with the sales team to develop criteria that ensure new opportunities are technically sound and align with our strategic goals.

• Work closely with the Sales Manager(s) and leadership to develop and present technical proposals that meet client requirements.

• Ensure that technical aspects of opportunities are clearly defined and aligned with our operational capabilities.

Manage all aspects of the ongoing relationship of key accounts:

• Foster strong technical relationships with key stakeholders across the organization, including R&D, engineering, and production teams.

• Ensure seamless communication and collaboration to address client technical needs effectively. Communicate detailed technical specifications, forecasts, and product requirements to relevant teams in the plants.

• Assess technical requirements for current and new products based on client feedback and market trends.

• Take ownership of or coordinate the technical response to client inquiries, ensuring timely and accurate information is provided.

• Work closely with the sales team to address technical questions and concerns from client.

• Offer insights into the technical feasibility and cost implications of proposed solutions to support pricing decisions. Collaborate with Sales Manager(s) and leadership to ensure technical considerations are factored into strategic pricing and sales decisions.

• Address any issues related to product quality and provide technical support to resolve them efficiently.

Support internal business processes:

• Collect, analyze and transmit market intelligence regarding customers, market evolution, competitors and technology trends in order to guide the direction of new product development pipeline.

• Support the 3-year plan, yearly budget and quarterly re-forecasts preparation if directed.

Travel up to 30% is required.-

BS Degree in Technical science, i.e. Engineering/Materials Science/Chemistry or equivalent is required.

A minimum of 2 years of Commercial (sales, marketing) experience in technical field, including market research is required.

A minimum of 5 years of Applications engineering experience in Aerospace, Metallurgy, Electronics, Semiconductor, Industrial polishing/abrasives markets is required.

Knowledge of customers, markets, technologies and applications related to electronics, semiconductor, industrial and molten metals processing. Strong knowledge of ceramic coatings is preferred.

Digital tools related to Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Office (Excel & Powerpoint) is required.

Certain locations require pay information be provided in job postings. Saint-Gobain aims to deliver a comprehensive Total Rewards package to support our employees’ wellbeing and help improve daily life for themselves and their families. We believe in the importance of pay transparency in what we offer potential candidates. Provided is the national pay range for this position which is $87,500 to $135,500 per year. However, the base pay offered may vary depending on geographic region, internal equity, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.

In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for an annual bonus. The targeted bonus amount is 12% of base salary based on company and individual performance measures. The Total Target Cash range (base pay and annual bonus) for this position, is $98,500 to $151,700. Bonus payments are part of variable compensation and by nature can vary based on company and individual performance and is not a guarantee.

Saint-Gobain provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Saint-Gobain is an equal opportunity employer of individuals with disabilities and supports the hiring of veterans.

Saint-Gobain Surface Conditioning serves a multitude of high end markets, with more than 50% of its sales in the electronics industry, and in particular for the semiconductor market. We are making one of the essential products necessary in the production of semiconductor chips and Hard Disk Drive, -whose growth is driven by ever increasing demand on cloud storage, IoT and EV, supporting our purpose of Making the World a Better Home.