Job Summary
Purdue University is looking for an individual who desires meaningful work that directly impacts Indiana's manufacturing sector. The mission of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is to advance Indiana's prosperity, health and quality of life. Each year MEP serves hundreds of manufacturing companies, businesses, high tech start-ups, life science companies, governmental units, and not-for-profit organizations. Impacts include significant sales increases, cost reductions, capital investments, and jobs created or saved.
The Senior Industry Advisor must have extensive experience/exposure to manufacturing. To autonomously sell and deliver services to Indiana manufacturers, the Advisor must have familiarity with the full breadth of MEP service capabilities (i.e. Lean, Quality, and Technology Adoption). This position must be well networked and aligned with local manufacturing trade organizations and economic partnerships. In addition, the role requires the capability to interpret the needs of the industry while creating service/fee-based resolution projects for measurable impacts and high revenue generation. This position works independently and is asked to organize their sales/business approach accordingly.
This position requires strict adherence to Purdue confidentiality policies.
This position is eligible for annual incentive compensation.
Office: Carmel, Indiana (remote/hybrid position)
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Develop contractual projects that result in MEP services to manufacturers within the state of Indiana. A Key performance indicator goal will be defined and scaled to reach a minimum performance threshold with the first 12 months of employment.
- Seek, engage, and manage partnerships with associations and organizations that directly relate to the manufacturing industry that will position the MEP Center as trusted service provider with the industry.
- Collaborate with MEP event management team to schedule, fill, and execute public workshop events. Follow-up with event participants to identify potential onsite engagements.
- Ensure up-to-date performance metrics, including but not limited to sales revenue, new clients, and companies reached, as well as measurable economic impact created for business. Maintain a performance dashboard to track all projects with the expectation that services:
- Full utilization of the MEP customer relation portal (Salesforce) regarding all relevant client activities from first contact, pre-proposal, proposals, contracts, project management, and client surveys.
- PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - Continuing education and improvement. Stay current on certifications, industry trends and progress in the specialty area of expertise.
- OTHER DUTIES - All employees share a responsibility for cost effective and efficient performance in their specific jobs and for the business unit. Employees are strongly encouraged to participate in team projects, meetings, and to bring forward suggestions that result in continual improvement. A portion of each employee's normal performance evaluation criteria will address these contributions.
What We're Looking For:
- Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, Business or Technology field
- Six or more years of customer management experience
- Experience working in or with Quality, HR, Operations, and Engineering groups
- Business development (sales) experience with professional services or application selling
- Demonstrated ability to sell services that create significant impact for a manufacturing company (i.e., cost savings, increased sales, growth, new jobs, and new investment)
- Experience working with C-Suite decision makers in the manufacturing sector
What Is Helpful:
- MBA or equivalent
- Five or more years of direct experience in continuous improvement, quality, and operational efficiency and/or growth services
- Proven ability to develop and deliver new processes or new services that creates significant economic impact for a manufacturing company in the primary industry
- Project Management experience
- Good organization and follow through skills
- Experience consulting manufacturing executives
- Excellent customer relationship skills
What We Want You To Know:
- Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
- A background check is required for employment in this position
- FLSA: Exempt (Not eligible for overtime)
- Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contribution Waiting Period
- Purdue University is an EO/EA University.