JOB TITLE:

Graduate Sales Applications Engineer

RESPONSIBLE TO:

Business Development Director

TYPE OF CONTRACT:

Full-time Permanent

LOCATION:

Newhaven, East Sussex

PACKAGE: £25k-£35k depending on experience, contributory pension

JOB CONTEXT:

Surrey NanoSystems is the company behind Vantablack®, a super-black coating that holds the world record as the darkest man-made substance. It absorbs virtually all incident light, making it ideally suited to addressing a host of light-suppression and light-management problems across a wide range of applications. It reflects so little light that it is often described as the closest thing to a black hole we will ever see.

The company’s proprietary range of coating technologies target applications within the Aerospace and Defence, Automotive, Aesthetics, and Consumer Electronics sectors, with typical applications ranging from satellite instrumentation to high value luxury goods.

With interest in the Vantablack range accelerating, and new products now ready for market, the company is looking to strengthen its sales team by recruiting a Sales Applications Engineer.

JOB SUMMARY:

Summary

This position will be office based in Newhaven. A strong technical/engineering background will be essential as the job holder must be able to develop a rapid understanding of specific client needs and be able to advise on coating selection & feasibility and discuss possible design changes where appropriate to facilitate coating and/or reduce costs. The job holder will be a key point of contact for customers.

Person specification

This role is suited to a recent Graduate or for someone who has experience as an Applications Engineer, educated in a science or mechanical engineering discipline. Detailed knowledge of the company’s products and technology is not required, though the job holder will need to demonstrate an ability to quickly learn and apply new information. Should be able to use MS Office to a high level, particularly MS Excel. Previous sales experience might be an advantage but is not necessary.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responding to sales enquiries 

• Provide a first response to sales enquiries received via website, e-mail or telephone.
• Be able to highlight key product advantages and offer advice on suitability of our products. 
• Determine client needs, and advise on technical feasibility for specific applications.
• Evaluate and filter prospects to ensure those that do not meet the requirements of our business are quickly declined.
• Identify what technical and or commercial problems the customer needs to resolve. 
• Developing client relationships on an ongoing basis.

Preparing quotations

• Review technical and commercial criteria on enquiries.
• Working with production engineering as necessary, prepare cost estimates and pricing recommendations.
• Prepare quotation and tender documents.
• Follow up on quotations, negotiate on price and scope to close business at satisfactory margin.
• Respond to technical questions from current and prospective clients.

Sales Orders 

• Prepare contract reviews and ensure effective handover to production.
• Maintain sales order data on CRM.
• Ensure any relevant export control regulations are adhered to, assist with export licence rating and submit licence applications where required.

Marketing & sales promotion

• Assist in the organisation and planning of Exhibitions / Trade Shows and attend as required.
• Ensure online company and product data is up to date.
• Monitor and maintain printed promotional materials.

Reporting 

• Ensure CRM data is kept up to date.
• Assist in the preparation of monthly reports including sales & orders forecasts, enquiry tracking etc

REQUIREMENTS:

• Degree educated in a science or mechanical engineering discipline OR related to the target market.
• Degree educated candidates with a passion for sales
• Driven individual with excellent communication skills
• Intelligent candidate with a structured approach, solid time management and the ability to work both autonomously and as part of a team
• Highly motivated graduate seeking the opportunity to secure a highly interesting sales career