The University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services (CIS) is recruiting a Solutions Consultant (IPS Public Service Professional 2) to serve the Tennessee Manufacturing Extension Program (TMEP) in the greater Nashville area and portions of the Upper Cumberland area. CIS provides consulting and training services to help manufacturers and communities grow, succeed, and create high quality jobs. The role entails engaging new and existing customers through referrals and other manufacturing and economic development contacts via customer calls, visits, and other communication methods to assess problems and opportunities that may require CIS services.

The Solutions Consultant is responsible for CIS and TMEP business development and economic outreach activities in the upper Middle Tennessee area and portions of the Upper Cumberland area. The candidate should be an active contributor and a leader while engaging clients in CIS team initiatives and as part of the local manufacturing support network in the assigned region.

---

---

The University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services (CIS) is recruiting a Solutions Consultant (IPS Public Service Professional 2) to serve the Tennessee Manufacturing Extension Program (TMEP) in the greater Nashville area and portions of the Upper Cumberland area. CIS provides consulting and training services to help manufacturers and communities grow, succeed, and create high quality jobs. The role entails engaging new and existing customers through referrals and other manufacturing and economic development contacts via customer calls, visits, and other communication methods to assess problems and opportunities that may require CIS services.

---

Required Qualifications

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business administration, or related discipline.

• Experience:

  • Minimum of eight years’ experience in a manufacturing environment or an industrial sales environment.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Understanding of manufacturing, economic development, and market trends

  • Ability to effectively listen to customers, assess customer needs; and translate needs into appropriate action plans.

  • Strong business development skills and ability to effectively represent a broad range of CIS services to manufacturers, economic developers, and other partners

  • Strong verbal and written communication skills and be able to effectively communicate with all levels of personnel

  • Strong presentation skills and computer skills (standard software packages, customer management software), problem solving skills, and project management skills.

  • Must be willing to travel extensively within the assigned Middle Tennessee and Upper Cumberland regions, with occasional travel to other parts of the state and U.S.

  • Must have a valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education:
  • This position prefers an advanced degree in engineering, business administration, or related discipline.
• Experience:
  • More than eight years’ experience in a manufacturing environment including manufacturing leadership roles along with industrial sales experience and/or manufacturing consulting experience is preferred.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Working knowledge of industrial sales practices including account management and B2B consultative sellinG
  • Insights into manufacturing improvement solutions including Quality Management Systems, Continuous Improvement processes, Workforce development, Supply Chain resiliency, and Technology adoption.
  • Proficiency in analyzing operational challenges and recommending process improvements.
  • Ability to leverage industry events to establish manufacturing connections within assigned region.

Work Location:

Location: This position is a MOBILE assignment serving manufacturers and partners located across the greater Nashville area from Stewart, Humphries and Dickson counties in the western side of the region eastward to include Davidson, Sumner, Williamson, Wilson counties along with counties in the Upper Cumberland region including White, Putman and Cumberland counties of Tennessee. Ideally the candidate will live within the assigned region. The county assignments may be subject to change based on market dynamics.

The Institute for Public Service (IPS) supports a formal Alternative Work Arrangement program currently in place and more information can be provided if candidate progresses through the recruitment process.

Benefits

• Find more information on UT Benefits here
  

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before March 14, 2026.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References
  

About The College/Department/Division

The UT Institute for Public Service provides outreach and assistance to all of Tennessee. Through our agencies and initiatives, we offer technical assistance, training, and consulting on a wide variety of services, including government operations, language services, law enforcement excellence, leadership training, manufacturing excellence, opioid abatement and much more.

---

• Cultivating manufacturing customers

• Developing and managing customer projects

• Consistently engaging clients to ensure long-term success and positive economic impact of delivered services

• Developing partnerships with professional associations and economic development organizations; and conducting marketing outreach along with some administrative duties.

• Attend conferences, meetings, and other events to represent CIS and network with partner organizations and other stakeholders

• Deliver presentations at various meetings of chambers of commerce and other local organizations

• Serve as the primary CIS contact for customers and stakeholder groups in the assigned region.