Head of Customer Technical

Job content

Position :Head of Customer Technical

Sector :Horticultural Engineering

Location :East Yorkshire base covering customers throughout the UK and Ireland. A hybrid working model may be considered for the right candidate who does not live within a daily commuting distance of East Yorkshire

Salary :Very negotiable executive package

Cambridge HOK

Cambridge HOK is a part of Agri Atrium, the largest horticultural engineering specialist in the world. Specialising in commercial glasshouses and vertical farming centres, they have consistently delivered energy efficient innovations across the UK, bringing cost savings in excess of 25% through innovative combined heat and power systems. Their team consists of talented and experienced structural engineers, mechanical cooling and ventilation engineers, computer control engineers, electrical engineers, project managers, designers, skilled installers and factory workers.

The company has recently transferred ownership to two of the Senior Managers along with Agri Atrium taking a significant stake. As a result of this, one of the previous shareholder Directors has decided to take retirement and consequently there is now a vacancy for someone to join the team in the role of

Head of Customer Technical

Reporting to and working very closely with the Managing Director, this Senior role is diverse and will require a mix of first-class interpersonal skills, relationship-building and questioning coupled with a solid and varied technical understanding. You will communicate with customers and prospects within the commercial horticultural sector to make sure that Cambridge HOK are their first port of call when they need assistance. You will follow up on leads, RFQs, RFI’s and tender opportunities, communicating closely with prospects and customers to obtain an in depth understanding of what they are trying to achieve and advising them of the best way in which to achieve their requirements from a technical perspective. Once an order is paced, you will work with design, engineering, projects and operations to ensure that the customer gets the best possible experience right through the project to delivery and handover.

About You

· Probably degree qualified in a technical subject – mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, structural engineering, controls systems or similar. However relevant experience is more important than qualifications

· Experience of advising customers in relation to CAPEX projects from £250,000 to £15 million in value, ideally in the sphere of structures, M&E, HVAC, CHP, modular buildings or similar projects encompassing a broad range of engineering disciplines

· Any experience of the planning processes relating to commercial, industrial or agricultural buildings would be extremely useful. This may include drawings, planning surveys, drainage, flood, ecology,

· Able to understand a customer’s needs and to convey those needs to multi-skilled engineering, design, technical and commercial teams at Cambridge HOK. Also able to take outcomes from technical and engineering and to feed them back to a customer in a language that they will understand.

· Experience of working in the horticultural / commercial fruit and vegetable growing sector is clearly beneficial; however we are more than happy to consider people who have skills that are transferrable into the sector

· Project management skills

· A natural relationship builder and listener

· Able to influence others to help you to achieve your goals

· Experience in a senior customer facing role; this may be in technical advice, technical support, business development, technical sales, account management or similar

· Able to travel freely throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe, including being away from home overnight where necessary. It is expected that this role will require about 50% travel. This may involve you being on “live” construction sites and so an appreciation of the health and safety and other legal requirements of these would be useful

· Genuinely self-motivated with a desire to exceed customers’ expectations. A solutions provider and not just a highlighter of issues.

· Eager to learn and to develop your own knowledge and understanding

· Full UK driving licence is essential

We are also happy to accept interest from EU Nationals who would be interested in relocating to the UK, and are able to provide relocation assistance and work visa sponsorship. Please note that the working language (written and spoken) is English

If you are looking for a challenging and varied senior role which will allow you to fully utilise your relationship building, customer delivery and technical skills and experience, please contact Chris Carter, Head of Engineering Recruitment at Nicholas Associates Group in Sheffield.