Lubricants Technical Manager

Total Deutschland Gmbh; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 600 000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a qualified individual to manage and optimize their lubricants product range. This role involves balancing upstream and downstream activities, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and delivering technical support to sales teams. The ideal candidate will have a strong engineering background and experience in the lubricants industry, along with excellent communication skills. Join a company that values diversity and offers equal opportunities for growth and development in a dynamic market environment. This is an exciting chance to contribute to innovative solutions in a vital sector.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years in a technical role within the lubricants industry.
• Engineering degree required; sales background is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage lubricants product range and ensure quality monitoring.
• Assist sales teams and educate on product applications.
• Adhere to HSEQ standards and monitor product specifications.

Skills

Technical knowledge in lubricants

Sales skills

Product development

Oil analysis

Communication skills

Education

Engineering degree (Chemical or Mechanical)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Domain Maintenance / Inspection / Technology

Type of contract: Regular position

Experience: Minimum 3 years

Challenge: The challenge is to achieve an effective balance between supporting LMP activities (upstream) and sales activities (downstream) as both are vital to ensure business continuity. Other internal and external constraints which make the job challenging are evolving TotalEnergies safety requirements regarding raw materials, an uncertain SA regulatory environment, and a non-technical base to support that has a high turnover.

Activities

An incumbent of this role would be responsible for the following:

1. Continuously update and manage the lubricants product range and services to meet the demands of the local and regional market, based on both the TMSA roadmap and continuously changing market conditions.
2. Stay abreast of technical developments by attending conferences and exhibitions, including relevant SAIT events.
3. Plan for future product needs in advance, both for local production and importation.
4. Manage the product life cycle within the lubricants technical team via the UMDS process:
1. Trial Blend and labels
2. Code creations
3. Implementation, SDS
4. Closures
5. Product and material rationalization and optimization.
5. Ensure downstream quality is routinely monitored and advise on deviation and suggested corrective actions.
6. Assist with digitalization of lubricants technical processes onto Microsoft Office Environment with the support of local IT.
7. Deliver the Lubricants roadmap with regards to product range modifications required, and implement these changes.
8. Assist the sales teams to deliver new products and services to maintain a competitive edge.
9. Strive to reduce product costs to allow TMSA to be competitive in the marketplace.
10. Ensure that technical services relating to Lubricants are conducted in a professional, accurate, and timely manner by team members.

These services include, but are not limited to: Product applications / recommendations, product alternatives, site audits, oil analysis interpretation, providing technical support documentation, product launches, and product training. This service is to be extended to all TotalEnergies employees, customers, and prospective customers, focusing on sales staff, call center, business support, marketing, and LMP.

Assist our sales team to understand customer needs and educate them on our product ranges and applications, including communication on product changes.

HSEQ

Adhere to and comply with company HSEQ and security standards (Golden Rule and Near Miss reporting) to minimize risks pertaining to company assets and protection of life. Ensure raw materials use is within the allowable safety rules of TotalEnergies. Monitor and alert the global and regional SDS teams of SDS requirements. Ensure products meet the required specifications and implement updates when required. Oversee customer product complaints to resolve disputes in a professional and timely manner.

Candidate Profile

To qualify for this role, the applicant must possess the following:

1. Appropriate Engineering degree (Chemical or Mechanical Engineer preferred; BEng, BSC or appropriate).
2. 3-5 years experience in a technical role within the lubricants or lubrication industry.
3. Some sales background would be advantageous.
4. Experience in application, complaints, product development, and oil analysis.
5. Excellent knowledge of the products and their potential applications in the industry.

Additional Information

TotalEnergies values diversity, promotes individual growth, and offers equal opportunity careers. TotalEnergies is an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants that meet the specified criteria will receive consideration for employment without unfair discrimination on any arbitrary ground, including but not limited to race, gender, sex, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religious conscience belief, political opinion, culture, language, marital status, or family responsibility.