Application Engineer

Job Purpose:

We are seeking a driven and results-oriented Techno-Commercial Manager to play a pivotal role in managing the technically challenging customer enquiries and pre-qualifications within the renewable energy sector. You will be responsible for pulling together all the necessary information, from technical specifications to sustainability data and compliance reports, to meet the diverse requirements of our OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) and other key customers in this growing market.

Job Context:

As part of the strategic medium term plan Lucy Electric needs to ensure it is correctly positioned to maximise business opportunities and growth on the development of the national and global drive for a net zero future. This role will be the focal point for Lucy Electric UKs net zero business.

The role will be customer-facing and will require business development skills to recognize opportunities, handle introductions and develop relationships. This will be a developing requirement as OEMs are brought on-board and we become a new supplier.

Job Dimensions:

The role will be Lucy Electric Thame office based initially, but moving to a more hybrid role as the customer facing aspect grows.

Key Accountabilities:

• Work alongside the Renewable Business Development Director, BDMs and sales teams and act as the primary point of contact, internally, and drive the enquiry through the process feeding back to the BDM Sales Teams where necessary.
• Gather and analyse technical, sustainability, and compliance data required for customer approvals, working closely with internal departments like engineering, sustainability, and legal, with a particular emphasis on renewables-specific requirements.
• Organise and progress the pre-quals with existing OEMs and bring on new ones.
• Develop an understanding from the enquiries received the particular features and requirements demanded by this market and feedback to the business as to what engineering requirements would be needed for specific projects, but also generally changes that may be required to meet the demands of the market sector.
• Proactively identify potential issues and roadblocks, working collaboratively with internal teams to find solutions and ensure smooth approvals, considering the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the renewables market.
• Once enquiries have been quoted via the applications route, assist with the negotiations with the customer and guide the handover into Engineering in the event of a contract/order.
• Provide feedback to the organization on any product or compliance changes necessary to improve customer satisfaction and competitiveness, especially within the context of the evolving renewables landscape.
• Stay up to date on industry trends and competitor offerings in the renewable energy sector, identifying opportunities to optimize our approach to customer approvals and solidify our position as a leader in this market.
• Become the internal champion for understanding the renewable energy market, actively sharing best practices and market insights with colleagues across different regions.
• Work closely with BDMs and Sales in the regions to leverage global knowledge and expertise, supporting their efforts to secure customer approvals in their respective renewable energy markets.
• Provide account management support to the OEMs we become pre-qualified with, to ensure proper introduction to our processes and uptake of business.
• Gain an understanding of the complex worldwide renewables market and recognise where else we need to focus to increase our reach and order book.

Qualifications, Knowledge, and Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a technical or commercial role, preferably within the renewables, electricity distribution or engineering/manufacturing industry.
• An understanding of the renewable energy market with its unique technical, sustainability, and compliance requirements.
• Strong understanding of technical concepts and the ability to translate them into clear and concise language for non-technical audiences.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust with diverse stakeholders.
• Proven problem-solving skills, with a focus on finding creative solutions that satisfy customer needs.
• Experience working with design software to enable quick, bespoke generation of material to demonstrate the understanding of the customer requirements and our proposed solutions to meet those requirements.

Behavioural Competencies:

• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Proactive and self-motivated, with a strong work ethic, and a can-do philosophy. Taking ownership of the challenge all the way to the solution.