Technology Specialist Lead, Robotics

ABOUT TENNANT At Tennant Company, we don’t just make cleaning equipment—we create solutions that make the world cleaner, safer, and healthier. For over 150 years, innovation and sustainability have been at the heart of everything we do, helping businesses across the globe achieve more with less impact on the environment. Joining Tennant means joining a global team driven by purpose. With operations, manufacturing, sales, and service in multiple countries, your career can take you further than you ever imagined. Here, your ideas matter, your growth is supported, and your work makes a real difference. Shape the future of clean with us . Position Overview We are seeking an experienced and execution-focused Robot Technology Specialist Lead to manage and actively participate in the successful deployment, demonstration, and usage optimization of TNC Robotics solutions within a designated area or segment. This role functions as a Player/Manager, dividing time between direct technical execution (demos, deployments, troubleshooting) and leading and developing a team of Robot Technology Specialists (RTS). The RTS Lead is responsible for ensuring the regional team executes the standardized, rigorous deployment processes defined by the centralized venture. Success is measured by deployment efficiency, demonstration quality (maximizing hit rate), and achieving high customer autonomous usage trends. Key Responsibilities Team Leadership and Development: Develop and coach a team of Robot Technology Specialists, ensuring they possess the strong technical knowledge and skills required for demos, deployment, and training. Deployment Oversight & Resource Allocation: Direct the work of the RTS team, overseeing the installation, configuration, and deployment of robotics products at customer sites within the respective region. Develop and execute deployment plans, including timelines and resource allocation. Process Compliance & Standardization: Ensure the team adheres to the defined, rigorous, and efficient deployment processes and follows standardized protocols for customer training and operational handoff. Issue Escalation & Accountability: Function as the escalation point for complex deployment or hyper-care issues. Hold the team accountable for achieving utilization goals and consistent execution. Demos, Pilots, and Deployment Execution: Serve as a Field Asset to directly execute complex customer activities, including demos, pilots, deployments, and initial route mapping. Technical Sales Support: Utilize strong knowledge of the robot portfolio and sales skills to accelerate sales cycles and maximize the hit rate of targets originated by core teams and Robotics Business Development (Biz Dev). This includes providing expertise on competitive units and procedures. Customer Usage Optimization: In collaboration with the Customer Success Team, proactively monitor existing customer robotics fleet utilization trends and develop and execute strategies to maximize usage. Reach out to specific users and customers to help create and sustain usage of the units. Technical Field Expertise: Provide technical support for the first line of issues with the robot during the critical hyper-care period immediately post-deployment. Qualifications & Competencies Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Business Administration, or a related technical field is required. Experience: 7-10 years proven technical experience in robotics, automation, or industrial equipment deployment, combined with successful experience leading and coaching technical field teams. SME Status: Demonstrated ability to act as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for robotics demos and deployments. Cleaning Acumen: Knowledgeable about cleaning and chemicals, pads, brushes, etc., to suggest and guide customers for optimal use of the robot. A good understanding of regular TNC units is needed to compare and complement the robotics offering. Leadership: Proven ability to Direct Work (delegate responsibility and monitor progress) and Develops Talent (provide coaching and foster skill development). Competencies Value Proposition & Commercial Storytelling: Explain why we win in plain language, linking outcomes and ROI to credible proof. Demand & Opportunity Management: Create, qualify, and progress opportunities through a visible funnel with clear entry/exit criteria. Financial & Commercial Acumen: Understand unit economics, pricing, and value levers to make sound, outcome-oriented business decisions. Partnership & Channel Orchestration: Build and manage partner routes-to-market and alliances to expand reach, speed, and capability. Customer Success & Lifecycle Health: Drive adoption and measurable outcomes across the journey to secure renewal, expansion, and advocacy.