Sales Manager Africa

Based in The Netherlands

The sales department is divided into seven Areas, namely the Benelux; North, West and South Europe; East and South East Europe; the Americas; the Middle East; Africa and Asia Pacific. The diversity between sales activities and the consequent market approach in the seven Areas is extensive because of the differences in product types, distribution, types of customers, collaboration with agents, political influences, government regulations, method of project funding etc. Area Sales Directors and Sales Managers are frequently required to travel. The trips usually consist of visits to prospective and existing customers. Partners include: employees at government agencies, port operators, shipping companies, contractors and marine service companies. The Sales Manager is responsible for the local sales activities and turnover in a number of countries within the Area.

In order to strengthen our sales team, there is  a vacancy for a Sales Manager Africa with a focus on a number of countries in the African continent.

The Organization

Damen is a high quality driven international company specialized in Shipbuilding.

The Role

As a Sales Manager you are responsible for all sales activities and act as the primary contact for the customer for the Damen portfolio within the assigned countries or area. You build sustainable customer relationships, identify needs and trends, sell and provide input for the development of the Damen portfolio and oversee aftersales in line with the developed sales plan and Damen strategy. Goal of the job is to realize sales objectives and create customer loyalty in the assigned territory to contribute to an increase in the market share, turnover and profits of Damen. On average, the sales manager travels 120 days a year. These trips mainly exist of visiting prospects and clients.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Initiating contacts with (prospective) clients, conducting visits, initiating and conducting marketing activities (trade fairs, congresses, advertisements), identifying market opportunities, establishing and maintaining a total market overview and consequently being able to provide strategic advice to management;
• Establishing, maintaining and expanding relationships with customers and other relevant contacts in the relevant region or industry;
• Establishing and maintaining a network of agents in the assigned region;
• Appointing new agents in consultation with the Area Sales Director, managing and collaborating with appointed agents;
• Building and maintaining a network of internal and/or external stakeholders and representing Damen and own area within this network;
• Obtaining enquiries, preparing quotations with support of the organization, issue and follow up;
• Finalizing sales agreements including negotiations with customers about prices, product specifications, delivery and payment terms, the drawing up and conclusion of contracts and conditions, providing advice about financing possibilities and sharing this knowledge with the internal organization;
• Monitoring the handling of newbuild orders;
• Organizing and drawing up the schedules of work or action lists and contract specifications, discussing these documents with the designated project managers, monitoring the production progress and the timely identification of any abnormalities, accompanying customers during visits to our local or foreign shipyards, and organizing or attending the launch and formal handover of ships;
• Dealing with problems and claims from customers. Handling payment issues with customers, preparing payment options and informing or consulting with the Area Sales Director, the Customer Finance department and Accounts Receivable and assessing the validity of claims, etc.;
• Reporting market information about the assigned territory to the Area Sales Director.

What about you?

• A Bachelor or Master degree;
• At least 3 to 5 years of relevant work experience, for example in a commercial technical role;
• Experience in the capital goods industry;
• Customer-oriented and market-oriented, analytical mindset, multi-level communication skills and entrepreneurial;
• Powers of persuasion and the ability to solve problems, driven and independent;
• Good oral and written command of English with a strong preference for French and preferably Dutch language as well;
• Fulltime availability and willingness to travel frequently.

The offer:

At Damen we realize that 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 continuously invest in your development. Damen offers you (in case of fulltime employment):

• A dynamic international working environment focusing on technology and innovation;
• A competitive salary;
• At least 40 days of annual leave;
• Travel allowance;
• Profit sharing & pension allowance;
• Continuous focus on professional and personal development through our Damen Academy;
• An active social environment such as events and sports.