Manager, Valve Technical Services & Development -Slater Controls

Floworks is a leading specialty industrial supplier of flow control products, as well as a provider of technical solutions to the industrial and high purity end markets. Headquarters in Houston, Texas, Floworks is dedicated to delivering exceptional products, expertise, and service to its customers.

Slater Controls is a leading distributor of valves, instrumentation, and automation equipment serving oil & gas, refining, power, and industrial customers across West Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

Job Information

The Valve Technical Services & Development Manager serves as a senior technical authority for control valves, valve automation, field service, and valve service operations. This role is responsible for the development of technician capabilities, provides advanced technical support to customers and internal teams, and supports the planning and startup of valve automation facilities in Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, and other locations. The position works across locations to establish consistent technical practices, improve service quality, support complex field requirements, and help expand FloWorks/Ferguson valve automation & service capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior subject matter expert for control valves, automated valve assemblies, pneumatic and electric actuators, positioners, instrumentation, diagnostics, repair, calibration, and testing.

• Develop and deliver structured classroom, shop-based, and field training for valve technicians, sales personnel, and other associates.

• Mentor technicians and establish practical competency standards, training plans, qualification criteria, and continuing training & development requirements.

• Provide customer-facing technical training on control valve operation, maintenance, diagnostics, reliability, and valve automation.

• Support troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, commissioning, startup, and field service for complex or critical valve applications.

• Assist with the planning, layout, equipment selection, workflow design, safety considerations, and startup of valve automation and service facilities, initially including Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and Denver.

• Help standardize assembly, calibration, testing, documentation, quality-control, and service practices across company locations.

• Provide technical support to valve automation operations in Midland, Borger, and other existing or future service locations.

• Partner with operations, sales, engineering, and leadership to evaluate technical requirements, service capabilities, staffing needs, equipment needs, and expansion priorities.

• Review customer specifications, valve data, service histories, diagnostic results, and application conditions to recommend technically sound solutions.

• Support development of work instructions, test procedures, inspection criteria, training materials, troubleshooting guides, and service documentation.

• Assist with evaluation, onboarding, and technical assessment of valve technicians and other service personnel.

• Represent the company professionally during customer visits, technical presentations, training events, plant outages, and field-service activities.

• Provide hands-on field support when business needs require, while maintaining primary focus on technical development, training, standardization, and facility readiness.

• Identify opportunities to improve service quality, efficiency, safety, reliability, and customer support across valve operations.

• Perform other duties and support strategic valve service initiatives as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; technical degree, engineering degree, or advanced industry training preferred.

• Extensive progressive experience with control valves, valve automation, valve repair, field service, diagnostics, commissioning, and industrial process applications.

• Demonstrated expertise with severe-service and general-service control valves, actuators, digital and pneumatic positioners, accessories, and related instrumentation.

• Experience leading field-service activities, technical teams, training programs, or multi-location technical initiatives strongly preferred.

• Ability to diagnose complex valve and automation problems and communicate findings clearly to technicians, customers, sales teams, and leadership.

• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, engineering drawings, valve data sheets, customer specifications, diagnostic reports, test documentation, and manufacturer instructions.

• Working knowledge of applicable control valve, pressure testing, safety, and quality standards.

• Strong presentation, coaching, mentoring, documentation, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work independently in a remote role while coordinating priorities across multiple facilities and business teams.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn company business, service, and documentation systems.

• Valid driver license and ability to meet customer-site access requirements.

Travel Requirements

• Frequent overnight travel is required, generally more than 50% of the time, based on facility-development, training, customer, and field-service needs.

• Regular travel is expected to Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, Midland, Borger, customer facilities, and other current or future FloWorks/Ferguson locations.

Physical Demands

• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, talk, hear, and utilize hand and finger dexterity.

• Frequently utilize visual acuity to read technical information, inspect equipment, and use a keyboard.

• Occasionally balance, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, or work in restricted industrial areas.

• Occasionally required to lift, push, or carry items up to 50 pounds, with assistance or lifting equipment used when appropriate.

• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment and access industrial customer sites, shops, and field locations.

Work Environment

This is a remote position based in the Salt Lake City, Utah area. Work is performed in a combination of home-office, valve service shop, warehouse, training, customer-site, and industrial field environments. The role may occasionally be exposed to moving mechanical parts, outside weather conditions, fumes or airborne particles, loud noise, and other conditions typical of industrial facilities. Standard office equipment, technical diagnostic tools, test equipment, and personal protective equipment will be used as appropriate.

The Perks of Working Here

FloWorks offers a competitive benefits package designed to support health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Highlights include:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance with multiple plan options

• Company-paid Life and Disability Insurance

• 401(k) with company match

• Health Savings & Flexible Spending Accounts

• Supplemental coverage (Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity)

• Employee Assistance Program

• Identity Theft Protection at discounted rates

This information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by associates in this role. It is not designed to contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this role. This description supersedes any previous or undated descriptions for this role. Management retains the right to add or change the duties of the position at any time. Questions about the duties and responsibilities of this position should be directed to the reporting Manager or Human Resources.

FloWorks is an equal opportunity employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or protected veteran status. FloWorks is committed to fostering a culture where every individual is valued and empowered to contribute to shared success.

FloWorks participates in the U.S. Government's E-Verify program.

Originally posted on Himalayas