The Big Picture

Howden is a global engineering business who focuses on providing clients with industrial products that help multiple sectors improve their everyday processes. Howden’s core focus is on providing quality solutions for air and gas handling, and have over a century of experience in doing so…

Howden Americas is looking for an Application Engineering Manager to join the Commercial Operations team. This role, based in Toronto (ON) or remote in North America, will be supporting Howden Canada (ACI) business unit.

The candidate of choice, a self-motivated individual with Technical Sales background and experience with supervisory or leading team, will be responsible for the management of the Application Engineering department and of the proposals for new build products within ACI. Proposals must meet specification requirements, be timely and align Howden products/services. It is also responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining proposal processes and has the position of Proposals Process Owner for ACI.

Task and responsibilities (but not limited to) :

• Work as both a manager and application engineer.
• Meet customer needs with on time delivery of proposals.
• Deliver order bookings targets to meet annual business commitments.
• Manage staffing and organizational structure to ensure the most effective operation and commitment to Customers is being met. Follow all SOX regulations and business processes such as Project Risk Review.
• Embrace continuous improvement to increase Customer NPS.
• Manage a safety focused and engaged team delivering results to Customers.
• Support Application Engineers in developing documents and proposals for bid reviews. Receives and coordinates all incoming inquiries and allocates the inquiry to the applicable Application Engineer.
• Review and analyze customer requirements for application of products and recommend a suitable product selection with regard to internal engineering and manufacturing capabilities.
• Acts as liaison between engineering and Field Sales agents regarding specific product applications, product design improvements and possible product development ideas and concepts including field complaints.
• During proposal generation, serves as a liaison between customer needs and other departments concerning all aspects of customer orders such as inspections, deliveries, scheduling, spare parts list, etc. to ensure proposals account for all aspects of internal costs and resource needs.
• Provides technical assistance, information, support and guidance to customers, field sales in-house personnel to maximize sales volume and earnings, market penetration of products and effective relationships with customers.
• Develops specifications utilizing Howden equipment.
• Estimates cost of recommended equipment selections.
• Ensures that orders are consistent with quotes and review for accuracy and edit for correct spare parts and data listed.
• Maintain the required level of proficiency in application engineering skills, plus the use of Application Engineering tools.
• Partners with all central functions such as Quality, Engineering, Finance, IT, and HR to ensure that enabling strategies and tactics are in place and are consistent with broader business strategies and tactics.
• Prepare Order Entry for Handover meetings in accord with, and in support of ERP and project execution.
• Support the EHS Program by providing the appropriate resources for verifying that their employees and related visitors are meeting the Howden EHS requirements by performing their work in a safe manner.
• Ensure that appropriate reporting, financial, operational controls and KPI’s are in place to protect business interests and to provide notice of the need for redirection.

What Do You Need To Bring?

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field is preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in Application Engineering in related industry/systems: fans, heaters, coolers, sales or mining applications or product design.
• Experience within an air and gas handling, rotating equipment, or heavy industrial industry will be also considered
• Ability to organize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• High moral and ethical standards, demonstrating respect for the individual and team, and setting an example for compliance with laws, regulations, and corporate requirements.
• Strong work ethic and the ability to set and achieve goals.
• Relates well to all kinds of people – at all levels of the organization and with customers; builds constructive and effective relationships; can defuse even high-tension situations comfortably.
• Customer focus while being able to keep business and customer’s interests in balance during disagreements.
• Logical problem solving skills, outstanding organizational skills and dedication to quality and integrity. Proven ability to quickly assess complex issues and identify root causes/key success factors.
• Decision making skills including knowledge of varying decision-making styles and appropriateness of each.
• The ability to interact with diverse global cultures and demonstrate effective communication skills with associates, suppliers and customers in a variety of business functions.
• The positive attitude, ethics, and values necessary to support the company's mission and a high performance culture.
• Drive, style and intellect required to make an immediate contribution as well as growing with the organization and role.
• Can negotiate skillfully, both internally and externally. Knows how to win concessions without damaging relationships. Gains trust of other parties to the negotiations.
• Computer literate in Microsoft Office Software including; Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams.

Desirable skills, knowledge & behaviours

• Experience working in a matrix organization where influence, indirect leadership and compelling ideas are used to accomplish organizational objectives.
• Experience working through a sales representative or distribution network.
• Experience working with CRM, ERP, and other technology tools