Solution Design Manager

KION Group; Basingstoke; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The KION Group is seeking a results-driven specialist to map all technical elements of bids, design the best technical concept, and deliver a cost price calculation with a project schedule. Based from home with autonomy, travel will be required across the UK&I and Europe to factories and reference sites, supporting Sales and leadership in bid decisions and contract management.

You will assess ROI and KPIs, ensure compliance with local and international laws, and drive continuous improvement in

Qualifications

• Bachelor/Master/ Diploma in engineering, computer science, logistics or similar education.
• IT skills including AutoCAD; interest in complex technical interrelations.
• Good communication skills in English; further languages preferred.
• Willingness to travel; international mindset.
• Full driving license.

Responsibilities

• Identify all technical elements in the offer and design the best technical concept.
• Prepare cost price calculation and project schedule for bids.
• Support Sales in the offer phase and validate budgets with PMs, planners and simulations.
• Coordinate with Sales Directors and Leadership on bid deliverables and timelines.
• Travel across UK&I and Europe to factories and reference sites as required.

Skills

IT skills

English communication

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor/Master/Diploma in Engineering/CS/Logistics

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

The primary focus of this role is to identify all technical elements in the offer. The main deliverables are a design of the best technical concept, a corresponding cost price calculation and project schedule. With good understanding of typical capital investment topics, such as identifying business cases & ROI. Go/No Go and Bid/No Bid decisions, T&C’s, Contract Management, etc. Whilst based from home, this role will require a high degree of autonomy and travel, mainly in the UK&I but with some European travel to visit factories and reference sites.

We offer:

Accountable for the Portfolio of Projects in the UK&I for STILL and LMH (use of internal reporting tools; eg. Sharepoint, KIRA, STRATOS, Automation Planner / Flowplan)

1. Management of the Team

• Capacity management for direct reports
• Coaching and development of direct report/s
• Ensure 100% compliance of all core HR processes
• Identify opportunities to expand/ extend business, and exceptionally serving the client
• Drive strong communications within and outside of the department, to allow for team and individual continuous improvement, collaborating with other senior management to formulate strategy and direction
• Take responsibility for budget and forecast preparation ensuring tight control and monitoring
• Ensure compliance with local and international laws, GDPR for example

2. Engineering & Design

• Support Sales in the offer phase. This includes the validation of the budget cost of PMs, Planner, Simulations, the planning proposed by Sales & SD and review of the scope of the project
• Development of customers’ and application specific logistic concepts to set up automated guided vehicles (AGV), AMR and any KION Automated solution
• Focus on risk and opportunity management and mitigation plans. Prepare escalation reporting and decision papers to the Sales Directors & Leadership Team
• Analysis and planning of the end to end processes in consideration of complex solution requirements (Product- and service requests)

3. Simulations

• Support Sales (LMH and STILL) in simulations (3D) including manual FLT, conveyors, etc.
• Liaise with HQ for specific simulations (on large projects as an example)
• Ensure that customer meeting support are provided

4. Communication skills

• Co-ordinate and project manage all parties involved in the bid process to ensure everyone is aware of the level of contribution expected of them and the set deadlines - Liaising with wide variety of internal resources in order to collate relevant information to ensure a high-quality bid.
• Organise and attend bid kick off meetings (handover to Project management & customer realisation)
• Supporting Project Managers post sale
• Technical support of our Logistic-Distribution Engineers regarding AGV / AMR projects for STILL & Linde
• Elaboration and mentoring of the coordination with customers regarding technical and final offers
• Liaising with the factory on special requirements and applications
• Communication with Sales Directors (LMH & STILL) is key for simulations

6. Market survey

• Develop win themes and USPs
• Conduct local area research, develop competitor intelligence and market analysis
• Supporting proof of concept demonstrations

7. Safety & regulations

• Work with and understand all relevant regulations and ensuring all HSE requirements are met within the proposal

Tasks and Qualifications:

Bachelor, Master or Diploma degree in engineering, computer science, logistics or similar education.

A candidate with the relevant industry experience would be considered IT Skill required including AutoCAD Interest in complex technical interrelations Experience with industrial or logistic projects preferred Good communication skills in English, further languages preferred Willingness to travel International mindset Structured and solution-oriented working method Full driving license

KION brands keep the world moving – globally, regionally, and locally. KION is the Supply Chain Solutions Company. With over 42,000 employees in more than 100 countries, we enable smart, sustainable, and reliable supply chains worldwide - wherever goods are stored, moved, or delivered. KION offers its customers the full spectrum of solutions to make their supply chains future-ready. Our international brands, Linde Material Handling, STILL, and Baoli and our regional brands, Fenwick and OM, stand for outstanding technological innovation, intelligent automation and service excellence in forklift trucks and warehouse equipment. Dematic complements this expertise with state-of-the-art automation technology and AI-supported software solutions that optimize intralogistics across warehousing, production, and distribution. Whether locally or globally – we offer exciting career opportunities in an innovative environment shaped by our core values: Integrity, Collaboration, Courage, and Excellence. Together, we create the magic of supply chain solutions.