Applications Engineering Manager

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.

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 required to discuss training, general direction and other position-related tasks.
• Must be professional in appearance and attitude and possess the ability to work in a professional manner with customers, vendors, and employees at all levels.
• Computer literate including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, Adobe Workfront etc.
• Software tools such as AGI32, Photometric Toolbox and CAD (AutoCAD Inventor or SolidWorks preferred).
• Knowledge and understanding of IES Recommended Practices and the NEC for relevant lighting applications to Kenall.
• High level of self-initiative and dependability.
• Must be flexible to perform overtime duties or adjust schedule when required.
• Resourceful and highly organized with an attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage, prioritize and balance multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work within a team environment.
• Must possess positive, "can do" attitude.
• Ability and willingness to domestically travel up to 10%.

About Legrand

Legrand is the global specialist in electrical and digital building infrastructures. Our comprehensive offering of solutions for residential, commercial, and data center markets makes us a benchmark for customers worldwide. We harness technological and societal trends with lasting impacts on buildings with the purpose of improving life by transforming the spaces where people live, work, and meet with electrical and digital infrastructures and connected solutions that are simple, innovative, and sustainable. Legrand is a global, publicly traded company listed on the Euronext (Legrand SA EPA: LR). For more information, visit www.legrandgroup.com/en

About Legrand North and Central America

Legrand, North & Central America (LNCA) is a leader in the AV, Lighting & Controls, Electrical, and Data Center markets. LNCA offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as distinctive benefits like a high employer 401K match, paid time off (PTO) and holiday pay, short-term and long-term disability benefit plans, above-benchmark paid maternity and parental leave, bonus opportunities in accordance with the Company’s incentive plans, paid time off to volunteer, and an active/growing Employee Resource Group network. For more information, visit legrand.us 

About Legrand’s Lighting Sector

Legrand’s Lighting Sector consists of five lighting brands; Pinnacle, Finelite, Focal Point, and OCL which focus on architectural, decorative, and downlighting and Kenall which focuses on lighting for demanding environments.  We employ a talented group of employees that love lighting to design and manufacture high performance, energy efficient LED lighting solutions for applications in commercial, educational, healthcare, as well as challenging environments such as tunnels and correctional facilities.  With an eye toward sustainable design, our focus is on specification-oriented products and solutions that meet the functional needs of spaces while working in harmony with the designer’s vision for those spaces. We work with architects, engineers, and contractors to supply lighting built specifically for their client’s projects.   

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Equal Opportunity Employer