Application Engineer

Position Title: Application Engineer
Department: Sales Execution
Division: AGI Food
Location: Naperville, Il USA

About AGI
AGI is a global food-based infrastructure company. With over 4000 employees and over 30 global manufacturing brands, AGI is a leading provider of equipment and technology solutions for agricultural commodities including seed, fertilizer, grain and feed systems and an expanding platform for food processing facilities.

The Opportunity
We are currently seeking an Application Engineer to join our team in Naperville, Il . The Applications Engineer is responsible for guiding the Sales Team to a successful technical solution for our customers, and supporting the process design team during project execution. Also, the Applications Engineer will be responsible for defining the basic concept, performing process calculations, creating process and equipment diagrams, and sizing and selecting equipment. This position will report to the Director of Process Technology and collaborate with various stakeholders and departments throughout the organization.

A high level of know-how of food equipment, process systems, food safety, and GMP is required to develop effective customer solutions.

Responsibilities

1. Lead the development of technical solutions, to develop projects which are in line with customer requirements. Working together with consulting engineering, sales, estimating, and quoting team members to develop quotations.
2. Select the right equipment to solve difficult process engineering challenges and develop integrated process systems and novel solutions which achieve customer goals.
3. Support Sales Management efforts with clients to create value added engineering projects, for new customers and new processes, working together in the capture team to define a complete solution.
4. Develop new projects as a part of an Opportunity Capture Team, leveraging AGI Food know-how and experience in engineering, equipment supply, installation services, and project management which set AGI apart from our competitors.
5. Engage with the Sales Execution team as a part of our Project Lifecycle. This means developing better tools and better processes to improve Sales Execution. With an understanding of the existing business processes and the company’s Project Lifecycle, the Applications Engineer will support the training and coaching efforts.
6. Develop project scope enhancing solutions which go beyond the ‘ask’ from the customer; help our customers be successful by tailoring the offering to maximize success of the project and to maximize the AGI Opportunity.
7. Support the Project Teams by ensuring that the right technical solution is provided and aligns with the customer’s expectations in the quotation phase.
8. Support the creation of new proposals by improving scope of supply definition, and by supporting the accurate estimation of key parts of the offering, including engineering estimates and definition of 3rd party engineering support for projects like civil/structural or automation solutions.
9. Support training of associates in process technology and develop training programs to inform the team of the latest food process technology.

1. Post-secondary education (University degree preferred) in Engineering, Operations Management, or related areas.
2. 10+ years previous experience in process engineering, project execution, or food production.
3. A self-starter with the ability to work independently without a great amount of supervision.
4. Knowledge of the basic principles of cost estimation.
5. Takes full ownership of all responsibilities assigned and is proactive in identifying opportunities for improvement.
6. A demonstrated ability to multi-task and set priorities to successfully meet deadlines.
7. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (oral and written), and ability to probe and understand unfamiliar processes or areas of business.
8. Creative problem-solving skills.
9. Ability to be resourceful and anticipate the teams/owners needs.
10. Proficiency with Microsoft Suite – Office Professional, Word, PowerPoint, Project, Visio, SharePoint, etc.
11. Excellent knowledge and use of Excel and other software for the purposes of analyzing plan capacity and sizing equipment.
12. CAD experience creating flow diagrams, P&IDs, and plant layout is an asset.