In the role as Technical Training Specialist, James and his colleagues are well known across the company. They’re our ultimate product experts who start working with new appliances when they’re prototypes.
He’s always been curious as to how things work, fixing and finding solutions and James brings that skill into his job everyday as a product expert for our food service appliances.
Based in Vallenoncello, Italy, James’ role involves global support for our service technicians, helping the sales organizations with product training as well as field test inspections on site. It also relates to several other departments, such as Customer Care and Quality.
Your role is TTS – Technical Training Specialist – within R&D at BA Food Europe – tell us what your job title really entails?
We are a little bit of everything – experts in electronics, mechanic, software and we work with R&D when the products are prototypes on paper. So, everybody will have contact with us in the making of an appliance all the way to the sales organization, because we start field-testing the prototype, so when they need to know something they always get in touch.
We run internal training for Country Service Managers around the world, produce the huge technical service manuals for products and provide expertise for our network of technicians when they need it. With new products and new technologies, our job is about constant learning.
What route did you take in terms of studies and jobs to get where you are today?
My education was directed towards a completely different sector – agricultural and viticulture – since I dreamed of becoming a forest ranger. I joined this company back in 1994 as a bit of a temporary job, working at in operations as a ‘jolly’ which means someone who can do a bit of everything and worked over various production lines.
My role has changed a little over the years, I’ve worked in the after-sales commercial department and as a quality inspector but always remained within R&D. By showing that I was willing and able, I was able to grow and really began to enjoy the job. So, I stayed and since then I’ve also been able to travel the world doing what I do.
What do you love about your role and what are the challenges?
It’s always stimulating to learn, teach and transmit knowledge to others, knowing that your job helps and benefits our customers. I love to learn from solved issues, ensure feedback and, where possible, fix the cause of the issues so we don’t encounter them again.
The experience we accumulate, the deep knowledge of the product gained during its development and direct contact with R&D make us the best people to support the field in critical cases. As we are continuously developing new appliances new software, there are always new things to learn and people to teach and support.
What advice would you give to people wanting to work in a position likes you?
Be curious – ask. The wonderful thing in our company is that you can always ask and get the information you need. We in TTS know a little bit of everything, so you’ll become a software, electrical, mechanic, hydraulic expert because you’ll get all kinds of questions from across the organization.
If you really could choose to do anything – what would be your ultimate, dream job and why?
After many years working in TTS I continue to love my role, so this is a tough one. But if I have to pick, I would say being front office and in direct contact with the field and our customers.
Why choose to work at Electrolux Professional Group?
There are always new things to learn and new people to work with and a job in R&D is continuously evolving so you never have time to get bored. When a new project is released, there are two more waiting just around the corner!
Check out our global career site, if you aspire to pursue a career similar to James’s.