APECS is Looking for the Best People to Join the Team

Over the last 25 years APECS has established itself as a pioneer and a trustworthy partner in the lock industry. The company is a family-run business and values close-knit relations with associates and customers all over the world, while operating from the sites in London, Beijing, Ljubljana, Kharkov, and Moscow. APECS employs over 600 staff across three continents and continues to lead the market with high-security products and access-control solutions.

We are looking for: Product Development Manager, National Sales Manager, Business Consultant, Cylinder Pinning Expert, Junior Accountant, Customer Service Technical Support Manager

Product Development Manager

Full-Time
Highly Competitive
Pension Scheme + Company benefits
Cylinders, Locks, Door Hardware
London

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This vacancy is ideal for fluent English speaking candidates, with a proven track record of product development for the UK market, particularly locks, cylinders and door hardware. The Product Development Manager will manage all aspects of the ideation, development, implementation and improvement of integrated manufacturing systems as well as cost reduction / productivity improvement projects and overlooking all ranges of APECS product portfolio.

This opportunity offers a diverse experience: the ability to positively impact manufacturing processes, quality, productivity and technology through all phases of a product life cycle, from inception to aftermarket support and across the entire suite of products. It also offers an impressive opportunity to progress in your career to a director level role with team management prospects.

The Role

APECS is looking for an aggressive creative thinker to join its team and work on innovation pipeline development. This person will be critical in leading the product development managers and identifying market opportunities, conducting end user research and solidifying the path forward to transition back into the business.

Key Activities Include the Following

• In-depth knowledge of all products in the APECS portfolio as well as the mechanical/technical aspects
• Acting as the main point of contact for the UK and Chinese offices
• Maintaining solid communication on a daily basis and resolving queries on behalf of the UK and Chinese offices
• Overseeing and setting the direction and vision for the focus areas and key categories of the APECS portfolio
• Developing and executing an overall business plan for each of the APECS ranges. This will require situational and internal assessments, competitive overview, strategic goals, portfolio objectives, financial analysis and action plans
• Developing a long-term product road map that delivers market share growth in that segment
• Pitching and presenting APECS products to customers and industry experts
• Participating at exhibitions and trade shows
• Applying extensive technical knowledge of the Building Hardware British Standard and Testing Method and all related Health and Safety regulations when overseeing the production process
• Working with the UK testing and certification centres for all of the UK products
• Interacting with key buyers/customers to identify the critical requirements to success
• Market research, competitor analysis and end user feedback gathering
• Preparing and supporting monthly reviews for the board of directors
• Reviewing CAD drawings and providing effective solutions to meet client requirements and to achieve client satisfaction

Requirements & Key Skills

• 2-5 years of experience as a product manager BS (MSc preferred) in an engineering field or experience in door hardware manufacturing with excellent commercial and product sector awareness.
• Demonstrated business knowledge acumen in key areas: sales, gross margin, OI, etc.
• Comprehensive knowledge in production and manufacturing process for metal hardware.
• Familiar with international trading, import/export, B2B and B2C business model
• Strong project management skills, solid analytical skills and a strong attention to detail
• Excellent strategic planning and strategic thinking skills
• The ability to analyse information and make decisions is critical to success in this role.
• Strong verbal, written and presentation skills
• Fluent verbal and written English skills
• A knowledge of Mandarin would be advantageous
• Eligibility to work in the UK is preferred but not essential

National Sales Manager

Full-Time
Highly Competitive 
Pension Scheme + Company benefits
Cylinders, Locks, Architectural Hardware
London

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The Role

The UK market represents a growth opportunity for the company. You will have the opportunity to grow with the business. This vacancy is ideal for candidates with successful, proven sales experience in the U.K lock products industry, who is able to think on their feet and be eager to quickly progress in their career.

This position involves developing the customer base and to increase sales revenue. This role offers a good list of bene ts to the successful candidate, including a bonus scheme, bene ts for various UK based companies from retail to travel, company laptop, mobile phone, company expenses card and a pension scheme.

Requirements

• Successful external sales experience within the U.K (at least 3 years)
• Excellent commercial and product sector (locking systems) awareness Enthusiastic, pro-active and a positive approach to duties
• Excellent strategic planning and strategic thinking skills
• Highly computer literate, with extensive knowledge of Microsoft Of ce programs Driving license

Business Consultant

Part-Time
Competitive
Company benefits
Cylinders, Locks, Door Hardware
London

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The Role

This exciting role requires a business driven, highly engaged person to create a set of seminars and workshops targeted at locksmith about business acumen. It is an exciting opportunity to establish own brand and name in the locksmith community and work with a leading locks and hardware manufacturer to develop a highly anticipated and needed course.

Requirements

Successful business owner, looking for an additional challenge Must be highly computer literate, with extensive knowledge of Microsoft Of ce programs Excellent commercial and product sector awareness.

Key Skills

Enthusiastic, pro-active and a positive approach, experienced communicator.

Cylinder Pinning Expert

Part-Time, Home-Based
Standard + task based bonus
Company benefits
London

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The Role

This role requires an experienced person to make keyed alike and master key systems on demand. It is a great opportunity to gain additional experience and work closely with APECS company.

Requirements

Experienced pinning expert, excellent commercial and product sector awareness Enthusiastic, pro-active and a positive approach.

Junior Accountant

Part-Time, Office Based
Standard
Pension Scheme + Company benefits
London

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The Role

This is a part time role potentially leading to a full-time position. At the moment it is for 2-3 days a week (around 20 hours).

Requirements

• Sage 50 Accounts experience
• Sales and purchase ledger processing
• Accounts and Bank reconciliations
• VAT / Month end reporting
• MS Excel proficiency
• Communicating with clients and suppliers
• Ability to work without supervision
• Attention to details

Key Skills

Enthusiastic, pro-active and a positive approach.

Customer Service Technical Support Manager

Full-Time, Office Based
Standard
Pension Scheme + Company benefits
London

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The Role

We are looking to recruit a Technical Support / Customer Service Manager to be the first point of contact for customers to provide technical support, product knowledge, and to manage customer queries. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker, an excellent communicator, driven and motivated and keen on making a difference to a business. Knowledge of the locksmith industry will be a great benefit.

Responsibilities include, but not limited to

• Provide first line technical support to the customers (mainly locksmiths)
• Manage all incoming calls and emails for technical support and advice 
• Provide technical support from the pre-sales assistance through to aftersales trouble shooting 
• Deal with any customer queries and problem solving
• Maintain and develop the CRM database 
• Raise quotes and convert purchase orders
• Collate, update & report all technical information
• Develop the departments technical support capabilities and systems 
• Build strong relationships with customers and colleagues

Requirements

• Knowledge of the locksmith industry will be a great benefit
• Minimum 2 years experience in a customer support role with a technical focus 
• Able to demonstrate strong co-ordination skills
• Methodical approach to fault finding and problem solving
• Experience in CRM data management

Key Skills

Excellent time management skills, Attention to detail, Hardworking and reliable, Excellent IT skills including knowledge of all MS office package, Excellent planning and organising skills, Excellent communicator at all levels of the business, Confident on the telephone.