The primary responsibility of the Technical Support is to bring deep knowledge and expertise relating to the detailed technical elements of Procelys products, customer applications, and our activities in production, QC, Application Development, and R&D to our customers to ensure we reach our business targets. Together with our Japan and South Korea Sales Manager, this role will form a business team that is geared to bring optimum solutions in fermentation nutrients to Procelys customers.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES:
• Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to Lesaffre's safety-first culture by strictly following all safety protocols and participating in required safety programs.
• Provides technical support to sales and nurtures our quality, innovation, and marketing from interaction with customers.
o Provides technical support to Procelys customers by replying to technical requests, supporting customers with on-site visits, technical presentations, and offering instruction for the proper and optimized use of our products in relevant applications.
o Analyzes technical questions, performance issues and customer feedback to develop ideas nurturing product development, improvement of our existing products and leading to advancement of our competitive positioning.
o Trains and supports Business Manager through help explaining application relevant details, positioning Procelys product performance vs. competition, as well as developing technical selling points.
o Performs application troubleshooting by investigating product performance issues in cooperation with quality, industry, customers, and lab resources to provide recommendations.
o Serves as the main technical point of contact between Procelys commercial, applications, industrial and quality teams and serves as a leader for related inter-department projects.
o Develops technical and scientific cooperation with academia/research institutes to investigate product performance in application vs. competition to solve customers’ issues.
• Acts as your Area Technical reference in front of customers and industry leaders.
o Builds long-term relationship with R&D, Technical and Production departments at major customers and helps launch and closely monitor (long-term) collaborations.
o Ensures technical support for the regional Key Accounts interlocutors driving business unit efforts to generate new business in coherence with business unit strategy.
o Remains active in the regional Technical Managers and Labs network to contribute to increase the overall expertise through knowledge sharing and training.
• Follows and reports on innovation launched across the industry and assesses the technological landscape.
o Remains current on relevant scientific fields as well as on Biotechnology methods and techniques in general; identifies opportunities for the business unit accordingly.
o Provides a quarterly Scientific and Technological landscape to Management.
o Attends regional technical industry events to assess Biotechnology and Fermentation industry mega-trends.
o Gives lectures/talks to regional conventions and technical events to ensure business unit recognition and contribution to the industry.
• Other duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS
• 10+ years’ experience in a R&D/Fermentation Management or Application Development role in Biotechnology, Pharma or Life Sciences markets.
• Masters degree in Microbiology, Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology or related field.
• Ability to travel up to 50% within Japan, South Korea and occasionally internationally
• Ability to develop a deep understanding of the Biotechnology market (food and feed bio-ingredients, biopharma, cultures, probiotics, bio-agriculture and renewable chemicals).
• Strong relationship management, negotiation and interpersonal skills. Ability to interact cross-functionally (Quality, R&D, Operations, Sales, Marketing) and within multiple levels.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain scientific subjects in a simple, comprehensive manner. Japanese Native. Must be fluent in English. Korean is a plus.
• Has interest in working with a diverse global team. Experience working in a matrix organization preferred.
CORE LESAFFRE COMPETENCIES:
• Open-minded: shows curiosity and openness and acts as an innovation, change agent
• Accountable: shows proactivity and concentrates on priorities
• Achiever: strives for results and performance and shows professionalism and perseverance
• Team player: promotes cooperation, collaboration and team spirit