Senior Technical Services - Central

Description

Purpose: The Senior Technical Services Representative (STSR) will be responsible for ensuring the quality of ready-mix concrete products and providing technical support to customers, sales teams, and plant operations. The STSR will work closely with the technical services manager to ensure the delivery of high-quality concrete that meets customer and regulatory specifications. This role involves conducting field inspections, troubleshooting issues, managing concrete mix designs, and ensuring compliance with quality control standards. Actively promotes a safe work environment within the Technical Services Department that consistently delivers a “World Class Experience” during the production and delivery of the concrete. Responsible for assuring the quality of the delivered product to all of the customers, equipping employees, and maintaining safe plant site property and equipment.

Essential Functions:

Supervisory Functions

• No supervisory responsibilities

Job-Specific Functions

Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC):

• Lead complex on-site inspections of concrete delivery and placement, ensuring adherence to strict quality standards for high-profile or large-scale projects.
• Perform and oversee advanced tests on concrete samples, including specialized tests such as rapid chloride permeability and shrinkage.
• Assist in the development and validation of complex mix designs, including those requiring specific performance criteria (e.g., high-strength, lightweight, or self-consolidating concrete).

High-Level Technical Support:

• Provide advanced troubleshooting for challenging concrete issues, including large-scale non-conformance, material incompatibilities, and environmental factors affecting performance.
• Serve as a key technical resource for high-priority or sensitive projects, coordinating with customers, project managers, and internal teams to resolve issues.
• Collaborate with sales teams to provide technical advice during the bidding phase for large or complex projects, ensuring the appropriate selection and quality control requirements are met.

Mentoring and Team Support:

• Provide mentorship and guidance to less experienced technical services representatives, assisting in their development of skills in mix design, troubleshooting, and customer service.
• Lead by example in applying best practices for quality control, mix design development, and technical support.
• Conduct training sessions for internal staff and customers, focusing on concrete technology, testing methods, and industry standards.

Project and Compliance Leadership:

• Take a leadership role in high-profile projects, ensuring compliance with specifications and overseeing technical services personnel assigned to the project.
• Participate in and lead quarterly plant audits, ensuring adherence to company quality standards, regulatory requirements, and best practices.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, actively contributing to process improvements and safety protocols.

Specialized Mix Design and Testing:

• Develop and oversee the implementation of mix designs requiring specialized characteristics, including high-performance concrete mixes for critical infrastructure projects.
• Conduct 4-point curve trials and other mix validation protocols for custom mixes, ensuring product performance across varying conditions.
• Manage the testing of new materials, including alternative cementitious materials and innovative admixtures, to assess their impact on concrete quality.

Other Functions

Customer Relations and High-Profile Support:

• Act as the primary technical contact for high-priority customers, providing expert-level support and guidance during all project phases.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, contractors, and internal teams to ensure the successful delivery of quality concrete solutions.

Process Improvement and Innovation:

• Identify and lead initiatives for continuous improvement in concrete production, quality control, and testing procedures.
• Stay current on emerging technologies and industry trends, providing recommendations for adopting new practices or materials.

Qualifications

Technical Knowledge:

• Extensive knowledge in concrete technology, mix design, and quality control standards, with a strong understanding of ASTM, ACI, and other industry guidelines.
• Proven ability to develop and troubleshoot complex concrete mixes and resolve advanced technical challenges.

Leadership and Mentorship Skills:

• Strong leadership abilities to guide and mentor technical services representatives, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.
• Ability to lead teams during high-pressure situations, particularly on large or complex projects.

Communication and Problem-Solving Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for explaining complex technical concepts to customers and internal teams.
• Advanced problem-solving abilities to identify, analyze, and resolve issues quickly, especially under challenging conditions.

Organizational and Project Management Skills:

• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple high-profile projects, ensuring timely completion and compliance with specifications.
• Ability to take a leadership role in quality audits and major project submittals.

Physical Abilities:

• Ability to work in varying environmental conditions on construction sites and at batching plants.
• Capability to lift and carry testing equipment and materials, as necessary.

Skills:

• Vision:
• Speech/Hearing
• Manual Dexterity:
• Physical Mobility:
• Computer Skills:

Ability

• Regular attendance is an essential function of this job.  Must have the ability to report to work on time and on a regular basis.
• Ability to represent Lauren Concrete in a professional manner in a variety of settings and circumstance.
• Ability to understand complex functions, procedures, and processes.
• Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely.
• Ability to accept responsibility for quality and accuracy of personal work.

Education/Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Material Science, Construction Management, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in the ready-mix concrete industry, with a proven track record of handling complex projects and troubleshooting advanced concrete issues.
• Certifications: ACI certifications such as Concrete Field Testing Technician Grade I and Concrete Laboratory Testing Technician are required.
• Additional Requirements: Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to multiple job sites as required.