Technical Manager – Knife Gate Valve Products Technical Manager – Knife Gate Valve Products Mueller, the nation's leading manufacturer of flow control devices for the water, wastewater and industrial markets, has an opening to support the Company’s Pratt brand Knife Gate Valve products.  This position will primarily drive increased sales through existing and/or new manufacturer representatives, distribution and/or direct relationships.  This person will work in conjunction with sales employees to drive demand for the Company’s Knife Gate Valve products and serve as the go-to technical resource for this product line.   This is not a direct sales position.  The role can be located anywhere near a major airport, but the preference would be a southeast U.S. area closer to Mueller’s related manufacturing facilities.  Reporting directly to the VP of OEM, Contractor, and Rep Network Sales, this role collaborates with the specialty valve sales team and manufacturers' representatives to drive Knife Gate Valve growth. The primary focus is writing technical specifications and securing approvals while building partnerships with consulting engineers and hosting "lunch and learn" events to increase brand awareness. Technical Manager will expand their expertise in water, wastewater treatment, and industrial sales strategies. This role offers a competitive base salary plus a sales incentive tied directly to the growth and success of the Knife Gate product line. Duties will include, but not be limited to, the following:  • Call on end product users and consulting engineers to promote new and existing product lines and develop favorable specification position. • Provide technical application assistance. • Provide complete service to market channels including:  quotations, product training, technical and literary support, product complaint, inventory maintenance, and delivery issues. • Perform product training for end users, consulting engineers and distributors to promote advantages of knife gate valve products and enhance specification position. • Develop cooperative relationships with key end users and engineers to enhance product demand. • Establish sales goals and specification objectives to meet company sales budget. • Identify significant bid opportunities and provide complete project information, including price strategy. • Provide competitive feedback • Actively participate in trade organizations to promote Mueller products. • Continuously update end users database for territory. • Assist sales with monthly sales forecast and market overview. Required Qualifications: • A minimum of three (3) years of technical or outside sales experience in the water, wastewater and or industrial markets, valve industry, or related field (construction, piping, etc.). • Must live near major airport • Experience with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software such as Salesforce.com or similar. • Valid driver’s license with no major violations.   • Ability to routinely travel 60% of work schedule (estimated 3 - days/week of travel. • Ability to cover large geographical region (USA and Canada). • Intermediate computer experience with particular proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint programs.  • High level of outgoing interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively. • Comfortable with public speaking engagements and the ability to deliver presentations to large (30+) groups of customers and other external contacts.  Have ability to stand and give presentations for extended periods of time. • Must be able to lift in excess of 40 lbs. to maneuver products during demonstrations. Desired Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a business, engineering, or communications-related field. • Strong technical and mechanical aptitude. • Previous Knife Gate Valve experience Mueller encourages only those applicants with a strong match to the items listed above to apply.  Primary work hours will be Monday through Friday.  Work hours will vary based on customer hours.  Evening customer meetings may be required during sales travel.  This position is salaried exempt and does not qualify for overtime pay.  Other Compensation & Benefits: Mueller offers an excellent salary and benefits package. Current benefit offerings include medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k plan with 5% Company match, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), short-term and long-term disability benefits, vacation, 100% paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement program, student debt retirement matching, well-being program, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-provided life insurance, supplemental insurance at group rates, and more.