Field Application Engineer at CommScope

CommScope Inc. is a multinational telecommunications company based in Hickory, North Carolina, United States, since its founding in 1976.

Position Summary

Provide technical pre- and/or post sales support to the sales teams, business partners, and end-users. Responsible for ensuring that account managers (AMs), consultants, and end-users are updated with the latest technical information, with special emphasis on key company solution differentiators. Provide technical support that facilitates the marketing and sales of CommScope products so that corporate goals for quality, growth, market share, and profitability are met. Supports sales and marketing efforts concerning the installation, connectorization,and general use of CommScope products.

Although the candidate needs to have a strong technical ability, the role has a sales and business development focus too. The successful candidate needs to be able to comfortably present to customers at all levels.

The position is located is Johannesburg (Midrand), South Africa.

Duties And Responsibilities

Not limited to these expectations: The main responsibility for this role is to take ownership for the technical roadmap and strategy for Southern Africa, and to implement it. It will be to establish CommScope’s presence in this territory as a market leader to help build the CommScope brand as a dominant player and relied upon technology. The candidate is to be a conduit into the product management team.

The role requires regular visits to the different countries (mostly neighbouring)covered in this territory, as well as travel to Europe/US for training and other business related meetings, therefore, the ability and willingness to travel is a job requirement, as well as a valid passport.

Although the candidate needs to have a strong technical ability, the role has a sales and business development focus too. The successful candidate needs to be able to comfortably present to customers at all levels.

The Candidate Will Need To Assist The General Sales Manager In The Following Areas

1. Training of customers and sales engineers and supervising installations.

2. Write and coordinate installation instructions and technical product literature.

3. Answering technical product questions in tenders and contracts.

4. Independent visits to customers to support them in field installations.

5. Independently handling smaller projects, or providing technical support for larger projects.

6. Propose and develop concept designs for specific product solutions, providing pre-sales, technical assistance and product education.

7. Making technical presentations and demonstrating how a product will meet client needs.

8. Liaising with other members of the sales team and other technical experts solving client problems.

9. Helping in the design of custom-made product.

10. Providing training and producing support material to the sales team.

11. The product mix, pricing and margins according to the stipulated CommScope guidelines.

12. To maintain and develop existing and new end-customers through the appropriate propositioning and ethical sales methods.

13. A high level of service to ensure the delivery of the expected levels of customer satisfaction.

14. Internal liaison and relationships within many CommScope departments is also a key tosuccess.

15. Respond to and follow-up sales enquiries using appropriate methods. Monitor and report on market and competitor activities and provide relevant reports and information.

16. Record,analyse, report and administer according to systems & requirements.

17. Communicate,liaise, and negotiate internally and externally using appropriate methods to facilitate the development of profitable business and sustainable relationships.

18. Attend and present at external customer and partner and internal meetings with other company functions necessary to perform duties and aid business development.

19. Attend training and develop relevant personal knowledge, techniques & skills.

20. Adhere to health and safety policies, and other requirements relating to the care of equipment.

Skills Required

Required qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in industrial engineering or mechanics, electro mechanics or electronics or equivalent qualification, preferably based in the fiber optic technology.

Required experience: Minimum 5 years work experience in a related role, i.e. product management, business development, pre-sales and/or technical consulting in the Telecoms and/or related ICT sector. Existing industry relationships within the Southern African territory is advantageous. Specific product knowledge of Frames,Closures, Fibre Guide Systems, Cabinets, FTTX and Copper is ideal.

Achievements: Preference will be given to candidates with a proven track record in product development, technical consulting and/or new business development. Examples to illustrate this performance will be required.

Personality traits: The successful candidate must be a “team player,”with the ability to build relationships with both internal colleagues and external customers. A professionally assertive personality will be required. The candidate must be able to work independently, be self-motivated and have good time management. There are periods where working under stress and deadlines are a reality. This should not present a challenge to the individual. A high standard of ethics is a given.

Additional criteria: Fluency in English is required. Business and financial acumen will be of assistance to you in this role.