Technical Material Specialist

Smiley & Co, Ltd.; Huntingdon; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A supplier of high-quality metals and materials is looking for a Technical Materials Specialist to enhance customer relationships and provide expert technical support. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Materials Science/Engineering and possess excellent communication and problem-solving skills. This role offers a hybrid working pattern, competitive salary, and generous employee benefits including healthcare and pension contributions.

Benefits

Company Healthcare

Company pension (5% company contribution)

Company Sick Pay

Critical Illness cover

Life Assurance cover

22 days Annual Leave, rising to 25

Free car parking

Free tea and coffee

Social events during the year

Qualifications

• Degree in Materials Science/Engineering or Metallurgy required.
• Ability to develop and maintain client relationships for customer satisfaction.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills necessary.

Responsibilities

• Respond to customers' specialist materials requests efficiently.
• Process technical enquiries received by email, phone, or live chat.
• Provide technical support to Account Managers and Sales teams.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Problem-solving

Presentation skills

Relationship building

Education

Degree in Materials Science/Engineering or Metallurgy

Tools

Spreadsheets

Job description

Location: Huntingdon – Hybrid pattern of working in place

Salary: Basic salary, dependent on experience

Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time

A supplier of high-quality metals and materials, the company specialises in the research and development sectors with a strong focus on science and industry. Their technical teams have worked on materials that have contributed to scientific breakthroughs in nuclear fusion, the fight against COVID-19, and have been used in probes that have travelled through space as far as Saturn.

Established in London in 1946, the company now supplies materials globally and holds offices in the UK, France, Germany, USA and China. Today, backed by the prestigious Private Equity firm Battery Ventures, the company is on an exciting trajectory with a strong mergers and acquisitions strategy and ambitious goals to achieve their growth targets.

The Role

As an integral member of a highly skilled and knowledgeable team, the Technical Materials Specialist serves as a crucial link between customers and the sales function, ensuring the delivery of exceptional technical expertise and support. This role is pivotal in translating complex material science concepts into practical solutions that meet customer needs, while also supporting the commercial goals of the business. The team's deep technical understanding ensures that the company product range remains current, relevant, and compliant with all applicable regulations. By combining scientific insight with commercial awareness, the Technical Materials Specialist contributes to the optimisation of product quality, sales performance, and overall profitability.

Key Responsibilities

• Respond to customers' specialist materials technical requests efficiently and courteously.
• Process technical enquiries received by email, phone, or live chat.
• Provide technical assistance to Account Managers and Sales & Service teams, supporting individual customer visits and direct customer contact face-to-face or over the phone.
• Provide technical support to the Product and Operations teams and the wider business.
• Proactively identify and respond to potential sales, purchasing or marketing opportunities and regularly report progress to Management.
• Prepare scientific reports, manuscripts, proposals, technical manuals, and presentations.
• Develop and improve relationships between the company and existing or potential customers and suppliers.
• Provide technical training to internal departments as required.
• Conduct presentations during conferences or customer's visits.
• Keep up to date on materials science and technology while remaining agile to the needs of the material's market.

Skills And Qualifications

• Degree in Materials Science/Engineering or Metallurgy with a solid interdisciplinary foundation in Materials Science/Engineering.
• Develop and maintain relationships with clients, ensuring customer satisfaction and repeat business.
• Teamwork, communication, and collaboration; work on own initiative; proactive approach.
• Influencing, negotiating, and relationship building skills both internally and externally.
• Creative solutions with a problem‑solving mindset.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Excellent spreadsheet skills, ability to extract data.
• Willingness to travel away from the office on an infrequent/occasional basis.

Benefits

• Company Healthcare, Company pension (5% company contribution)
• Company Sick Pay
• Critical Illness cover and Life Assurance cover
• 22 days Annual Leave, rising to 25
• Plus, a range of employee benefits provided through their insurances provider (Details will be provided)
• Free car parking
• Free tea and coffee
• Social events during the year

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for this reputable company, please do not hesitate to apply.