Regional Service Manager Africa

Damen is a family-owned, client-driven organization that has been in operation since 1927. Our primary business involves ships, but we are not just shipbuilders. We are a global operation of diverse people with a range of skills that deliver innovation and quality to the maritime sector. Our business priority is to deliver for the needs of the present, while working to solve the challenges of the future.  

About our division:

Damen Services is a team of creative, entrepreneurial, and motivated people who support each other and enjoy coming to work each day. We interact directly with Damen customers around the world, helping them find solutions to challenging situations and improve the performance of their fleet. Our team goes the distance for each other and for our customers, and we all take pride in our ability to put groups of skilled, ‘can-do’ team members together to find and implement solutions.

Damen Services provides lifecycle support services with a strong focus on Damen built vessels. The range of services stretches from reactive and corrective, triggered by calls from our customers, up to services with a pro-active market approach and predictive maintenance elements. 

The role:

As Account Manager (Regional Service Manager) you are responsible for the complete after-sales of a specific region and work together with the new build sales department in selling vessels and by offering services products to our African customers. The product portfolio includes repair, maintenance and overhaul contracts, long term maintenance contracts, spare part packages, training programs and digital Services. 

It’s up to you to keep the customer happy during their operation and to ensure that the next vessel will also be delivered by Damen. You will approach new- and existing customers for sales of services packages during one of your trips (approx. 10 trips per year) to Africa. You will be the first service-related point of contact for customers, ranging from port authorities, navies/coast guards and oil & gas companies. The adequate and timely follow-up of warranty claims for new vessels is monitored by you, and you make sure that customer satisfaction is always as high as possible. In order to realize the revenue and profit targets, you will work together with project managers and engineers to make sure the Damen products match the customer's demand, and that operational projects are executed correctly. You can signal market developments and act quickly to initiate product improvements. 

Responsibilities:

• Innovate: Function as one single point of contact for the customers.
• Specify: Hold consultations with the (potential) clients about the technical, functional and other specifications of the possible assignment. 
• Collaborate: Manage complex relations with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Estimate: Gather market information on the assigned region to prepare and implement a business plan. 
• Monitor: Monitor project progress and timely identification of deviations from specifications and contracts. 

Skills and experiences:

We’re looking for pioneers who dare to innovate and take ownership. Our future Account Manager should come prepared with the following:

• A completed technical/commercial education (at least bachelor's degree); 
• Preferable multiple years of experience in a services/maritime environment; 
• You have excellent communication skills for negotiating, discussing commercial leads and convincing the client in English; French language skills are a plus;
• You are willing to make short business trips (approx. 10 weeks per year) related to your work area in Africa; 
• You are customer oriented, service oriented, focused, driven and proactive;
• You are familiar with the cultural and business aspects of doing business in the region; 
• You have managerial knowledge about combining technical, logistical and commercial aspects of tenders;
• You have a can-do mentality; you are customer-oriented, service-oriented, focused, and proactive. 

What we offer:

At Damen we realize supporting and managing many talented individuals is of great essence. We understand that the key to success is to find the right person for the right job. That is why we continually invest in your development. Damen offers you:

• A dynamic international working environment focusing on technology and innovation;
• At least 40 days of annual leave;
• Profit sharing & pension allowance;
• Continuous focus on professional and personal development through our Damen Academy;
• An active social environment in terms of business culture, events & sports.

Does the role described above sound like a good fit for you? Let us know by submitting your application, including your CV and motivation letter — we’d love to get to know you.

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