Job title:  Application Manager - Shoe Press Belts

ANDRITZ delivers successful and innovative solutions to customers worldwide on a daily basis. What is the foundation of our success? Our strong commitment and passion for what we do. When it comes to future-oriented engineering technologies, we are at the forefront, providing solutions that ensure the long-term success of our customers in key industries.

The Application Manager – Shoe Press Belts is the technical and commercial application expert for shoe press belt solutions used in paper, board, tissue, and pulp drying machines. The role supports customers and sales teams in selecting, specifying, and optimizing belt solutions to improve dewatering, machine runnability, product quality, belt lifetime, and customer value.

Location: EMEA (preferred: Düren, Germany)

Function: Application Management / Technical Sales Support   

Travel: Up to 50 days per year

Key Responsibilities

Application Engineering and Technical Support

• Define the optimum belt construction and surface design based on machine configuration, speed, line load, shoe length, nip pressure, paper grade, press felt design, dewatering demand, and target lifetime.
• Prepare and review application calculations, belt specifications, technical recommendations, and order data.
• Use REZOLVE and other calculation or measurement tools to support press optimization, belt selection, and value-based proposals.
• Provide troubleshooting support for runnability or dewatering issues.
• Support inspections, service measurements, and post-installation performance reviews.
• Coordinate root-cause analyses and corrective actions with customers, sales, service, manufacturing, quality, and R&D.

Sales and Customer Support

• Support EMEA sales teams during customer visits, technical negotiations, opportunity qualification, and preparation of value propositions.
• Translate customer operating conditions and business needs into technically sound and commercially competitive solutions.
• Present technical concepts, case studies, performance results, and customer benefits to mill personnel.
• Identify target applications, trial opportunities, and reference positions in paper, packaging, tissue, and pulp markets.
• Support claims handling through objective technical analysis, used-belt evaluation, and clear reporting.

Product and Market Management

• Maintain application guidelines, presentations, technical data, case studies, and reference lists.
• Support new product launches by defining target segments, customers, applications, positioning, training needs, and reference plans.
• Monitor competitor products, field performance, market developments, and emerging customer requirements together with sales teams.
• Convert structured field feedback into product improvement proposals and new product requirements for R&D.
• Deliver technical training to sales, service, agents, and customers.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Paper Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Relevant B2B experience in the pulp and paper industry; experience with paper machine clothing, press sections, shoe presses, roll covers, or process optimization is preferred.
• Ability to interpret machines and process data and convert findings into practical technical recommendations.
• Experience in technical sales support, customer troubleshooting, product management, or field service is an advantage.
• Strong technical presentation and report-writing skills.
• Fluent English; German and other European languages are an advantage.
• Good command of Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and Word; willingness to learn specialized calculation and analysis tools.

Personal Competencies

• Proactive, hands-on, and customer-focused working style.
• Structured, analytical, and goal-oriented approach.
• Strong communication, influencing, and collaboration skills across cultures and functions.
• Sound judgment, ownership, and persistence in resolving complex technical issues.
• Flexible, creative, and willing to take on new challenges.
• Professional presence and confidence in customer-facing situations.

All qualified applicants (m/f/d) will be considered for employment regardless of skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnic and national origin, or disability.