Technical Support Representative
Job Description
Skutt Ceramic Products is seeking a Technical Support Representative to troubleshoot ceramic and glass kiln systems and related equipment while helping customers and feeding insights back to the team.
Responsibilities
- Provide timely, professional troubleshooting and technical support for Skutt equipment via phone, email, and video
- Diagnose and address issues involving kilns, pottery wheels, controllers, electrical components, and related equipment
- Walk customers through setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting
- Recommend appropriate products, accessories, replacement parts, and solutions based on customer needs
- Identify root causes and explain technical solutions clearly to customers with different levels of experience
- Share accurate information on features, specifications, operation, maintenance, warranties, returns, and replacement procedures
- Maintain accurate records of customer interactions, troubleshooting steps, and resolutions
- Escalate complex or unusual issues and collaborate with engineering, production, sales, and other departments as needed
- Communicate customer feedback, recurring issues, and product concerns to internal teams
- Help develop and update technical support resources, including FAQs, troubleshooting guides, and manuals
- Identify opportunities to improve products, documentation, training, and the overall customer support experience
- Stay current on Skutt products, technologies, troubleshooting procedures, and support policies
- Act as a Skutt ambassador through professional communication, sound judgment, helpfulness, and a commitment to doing what is right for the customer
Requirements
- Strong working knowledge of ceramic kilns, pottery wheels, and related Skutt equipment
- Ability to troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, hardware, and software-related problems
- Ability to read and interpret wiring diagrams, technical documentation, product manuals, and specifications
- Strong understanding of electrical safety and safe operating and maintenance practices
- Ability to methodically diagnose problems, identify root causes, and develop practical solutions
- Familiarity with replacement parts, equipment maintenance, and repair procedures
- Ability and willingness to learn new products, technologies, and troubleshooting methods
- Understanding of warranty policies, product returns, and replacement procedures is preferred
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to explain technical concepts clearly and patiently to customers with varying technical experience
- Strong listening and questioning skills to gather the information needed for accurate diagnosis
- Ability to remain calm, professional, and empathetic when assisting frustrated or confused customers
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to providing accurate information and clear instructions
- Ability to manage multiple customer cases while maintaining quality, organization, and follow-through
- Strong commitment to customer satisfaction and a positive customer experience
- Ability to work effectively with engineering, production, sales, and other departments to resolve complex issues
- Strong documentation and organizational skills
- Ability to contribute to and improve technical documentation, FAQs, troubleshooting guides, and other support resources
- Familiarity with CRM and ticketing systems, email, spreadsheets, databases, and other standard office tools
- Ability to prioritize work effectively and adapt to changing customer and business needs
Technologies
- CRM
- ticketing systems
- spreadsheets
- databases
Preferred experience
- Hands-on experience operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, or repairing ceramic kilns
- Experience working in a ceramic or glass studio, school, university, community arts center, or similar environment
- Experience with pottery wheels or other ceramic equipment
- Electrical, mechanical, electronics, or technical repair experience
- Experience providing technical support or customer service
- Experience working with technical documentation, service manuals, or troubleshooting procedures
What will help you succeed
- Curious: enjoys figuring out how things work and why they fail
- Resourceful: can work through unfamiliar problems and find practical solutions
- Patient: understands customers may be stressed, frustrated, or unfamiliar with the technology
- Thorough: works toward correct diagnosis beyond the first possible answer
- Clear: turns complicated technical issues into instructions people can understand
- Team-oriented: knows when to solve and when to bring in others
- Customer-focused: technical support includes helping people get back to creating
- Safety-minded: emphasizes proper procedures for electrical and high-temperature equipment
- A Skutt ambassador: represents the company through communication, professionalism, judgment, and willingness to help
Location: Portland, OR (onsite)
Compensation: USD 25 - 30 per hourly