Product Specialist: Electrical & Automation

SUMMARY:
Our client is seeking a Product Specialist in Electrical and Automation for their Boksburg branch.

POSITION INFO:
The Electrical and Automation Specialist will be required to drive customer support by ensuring processes and systems are in place and feedback from field personnel and customers are handled in a structured and efficient manner.

Basic Functions

• Product Support Lead for Electrical and Automation.
• Evaluating and implementation of support structure.
• Upskilling/training of support personnel.
• Component failure investigations.
• Machine preparedness, commissioning and analysis.
• New Machine and prototype trials.
• Machine compliance and standard adherence.
• Customer communications and technical support.
• Documentation and records
• Maintenance, service and repair process management.

• Product Knowledge:
• It is the responsibility of the Product Specialist to support technical, sales and commercial functions within The Company as well as to support our dealer network and our customers.
• This requires the Product Specialist to have in-depth knowledge of the product range allocated to his/her portfolio which includes but is not limited to the following:
  • Product design knowledge.
  • Product functionality knowledge.
  • Product operational knowledge.
  • Product service and maintenance knowledge.
  • Sub-con product knowledge.
  • Skills in root cause and gap analysis.
  • Skills in report writing and other administrative tasks.
  • Ability to train.
  • Ability to communicate across all levels.
  • A good understanding of competitor products.
  • Acumen to grasp new technologies.
  • A good understanding of engineering principles.
• Machine Preparedness:
  • Assist with scope analysis for new machines. Support the Capital Sales team in assessing scope and monitor scope compliance during machine production.
  • Participate with machine inspections before released to go to site.
  • Report quality issues and non-conformance.
• Machine Field Analysis:
  • Assess operating functionality, machine ergonomics and safety risks.
  • Participate with time-and-motion studies to improve productivity performance.
  • Do reliability assessments, checking durability of parts and design.
  • Engineering fault finding. Perform a Failure Analysis on engineered and fabricated parts. Offer advice and recommendations to Engineering department.
  • Maintenance, Service and Repair efficiency and performance effort analysis.
  • Design improved processes to perform, advise on service kit BOM’s and make recommendations to Engineering on design changes to facilitate ease of maintenance and service.
  • Report short comings in machine design, offer solutions and submit RTD (Request to Draw).
  • Analyse operating cost performance against machine average and compare to competitors.
  • Record data collected in the field for analysis and future reference.
  • Do market comparisons on machine performance and reliability.
• Project Management:
  • New machines, prototypes, alternative or replaced parts, modifications, upgrades, and additions to be tested in the field.
  • Initiation, design, installation and closing of upgrade and improvement proposals and projects.
  • Costing and estimating of parts, material, consumables, labour, and other costs related to proposal and project scope.
  • Planning, control and management of projects execution and tasks with the use of approved tools and processes.
  • Keep records of activities, findings and observations and share with relevant stakeholders.
  • Measure performance against KPI’s and submit reports as required.
  • Close-out reports and follow-up activities
• Maintenance, Service and Repairs Process Management:
  • Analyse processes on the mines.
  • Design new methods for improvement.
  • Set OEM standards on performance.
• Warranty:
  • Do root-cause-analysis on failures and submit findings.
  • Assist in improving the Warranty process.
  • Assist with design parameters for work procedures, labour, and travel cost allocation against Warranty claims.
• Customer Technical Support:
  • Perform machine audits and assessments.
  • Do fault finding and root-cause-analysis.
  • Assist with design aftermarket customer machine care programs.
  • Meet with mine Engineers on a regular basis to give feedback on machine performance and audit findings and to offer solutions.
  • Attend mine OEM meetings.
  • Attend Production and Planning meetings from time to time.
  • Perform machine health scans to determine machine reliability status.
• Conveyance and Communication:
  • Support dealers and all relevant stakeholders with The Company and customers with machine related technical information and queries.
  • Ensure all machine updates are rolled out to our customers, internal and external.
  • Perform regular customer surveys on machine performance.
  • Do follow-up visits to discuss findings and find solutions.
  • Keep all stakeholders informed of improvements, updates, upgrades, and changes.
  • Submit quality reports and keep good records and ensure document control processes are adhered to.
  • Complete and submit high quality Findings and Close-out reports.
  • Monitor new technologies and methods related to the Hard Rock underground mining industry and inform relevant stakeholders of value adding findings.
• Documentation and Records:
  • Complete Risk Assessments as per requirements.
  • Submit Technical reports.
  • Submit customer call reports.
  • File records, reports, and market information in a central location as per approved procedures.
  • Track components and timelines pushing for warranty close-outs and return to customer within 60 days.
  • Manage the flow of information and access to records and documents.
  • Ensure documents comply with Company branding standards.
• Change Management:
  • Ensure all documents and processes are in place for any changes that affect our customers and the support team.
  • Facilitate the successful handover of updated processes, information, and documentation.

• Excellent understanding of low, medium & hight voltage circuits on mining machines.
• Excellent fault-finding skills on mining machines.
• Panel wiring experience on mining machines.
• Experience with automation and programming of mining machines will be advantageous.

• Matric/Grade 12
• Trade Certificate Millwright/Electrician
• Driver’s License
• Product knowledge

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Fluent in English (Written and Verbal)
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Self-Motivated
• Time Management Skill