What are the responsibilities and job description for the Technical Service Representative position at Kimpe America LLC?
Technical Service Representative – Special Coatings
Location: Baltimore, MD (South Baltimore Plant-based) Travel: 35% – 50% (Domestic US travel) Company: Kimpe America
About the Role
Kimpe America, a subsidiary of the family-owned international leader KIMPE, is expanding its US operations. We provide brick coatings and color solutions for the clay brick and glass industries. We are looking for a hands-on, solution-oriented Technical Service Technician to join our growing team in Baltimore.
This is a unique hybrid role: you will spend 50% of your time in our laboratory developing and testing formulations, and 50% of your time in the field, working directly at our customers' brick manufacturing plants to ensure successful product application.
No prior ceramic experience? No problem. We provide full internal training on our specific technologies. We value your technical aptitude, practical mindset, and ability to build strong relationships with industrial customers.
Key Responsibilities
Lab Operations (50% - Baltimore)
- Formulation: Prepare, adjust, and test engobes (brick coatings) based on customer requirements.
- Testing: Conduct application tests (spray, cascade, etc.) and validate color, texture, and durability.
- Quality Control: Ensure every batch meets Kimpe’s high standards before shipping.
- R&D Support: Collaborate with the team to develop new coatings and improve existing formulations.
Field Technical Support (50% - Traveling)
- Onsite Setup: Travel to customer brick plants (mainly across the Southeast, Midwest, and Southwest) to set up and adjust coating lines.
- Troubleshooting: Solve application issues in real-time under industrial production conditions (clay variations, kiln temperatures, viscosity, etc.).
- Customer Relations: Act as the primary technical point of contact for plant managers and operators.
- Training: Educate customer teams on how to best use and maintain Kimpe products.
Profile & Requirements
- Education: Associate Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Technology, Industrial Engineering, or a related field. Equivalent industrial experience is highly valued.
- Practical Mindset: You enjoy "getting your hands dirty" and working in industrial environments (heat, dust, production lines).
- Communication: Strong interpersonal skills. You are comfortable talking to both lab scientists and plant operators.
- Autonomy: Ability to work independently, especially when on-site at a customer facility.
- Travel: Willingness to travel 1 to 2 weeks per month.
What We Offer
- Full Technical Training: We will teach you the science of ceramics and engobes.
- Competitive Compensation:
- Base salary of $65k – $75k (based on experience)
- Bonus: 10% performance bonus
- Company car.
- Health Insurance compensation
- Comprehensive Travel Package: Full expense reimbursement.
- Autonomy & Growth: Be a key player in our US development with real opportunities to evolve as the company grows.
- Culture: Join a stable, international, family-owned company with a short decision-making process and a human-centric approach.
Pay: $65,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
License/Certification:
- Driving License (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Baltimore, MD 21229 (Required)
Willingness to travel:
- 50% (Required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Baltimore, MD 21229
Salary : $65,000 - $75,000