Benelux Shipbuilding Sales Manager

Damen Shipyards; Gorinchem; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

40 days annual leave

Dynamic international environment

Competitive salary

Job summary

Damen is seeking a Sales Manager Benelux with a focus on the Netherlands to drive local sales activities and turnover. You will be the primary contact for Damen's portfolio, build loyal customer relationships, identify needs and trends, and provide input for portfolio development and aftersales aligned with the sales plan and Damen strategy.

The role involves traveling for key visits to customers, shipyards, fairs and exhibitions across the Benelux region, with expected 120 travel days per year

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a technical field related to naval/marine/offshore engineering.
• 3–5+ years in a commercial or technical role in capital goods or shipbuilding.
• Strong ability to build trust, manage long-term customer relationships and communicate at multiple levels.
• Analytical, problem-solving skills with a structured approach to opportunity management.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop market opportunities through client acquisition, visits, trade fairs, and other marketing activities.
• Build and expand relationships with customers, brokers/agents, and key stakeholders in the assigned region.
• Lead the end-to-end sales process: generate enquiries, quotations, negotiate terms, and close deals.
• Coordinate with internal teams, align client contacts, and share market intelligence.
• Oversee newbuild orders from contract to delivery, with visits to shipyards and handovers.
• Manage customer issues and payment matters in collaboration with finance and management.
• Report market developments and regional performance to the Area Sales Director.

Skills

Sales experience

CRM proficiency

Dutch & English fluency

Analytical thinking

Strategic account management

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Naval Architecture/Marine/Offshore Eng

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

We offer you an Ocean of Possibilities. Join our family.

Sales Manager (Benelux)

About us

We are looking for an enthusiastic and entrepreneurial Sales Manager to join our Sales Benelux team.

The sales department is divided into seven areas, namely the Benelux, North, West & South Europe, East & 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, we have a vacancy for a Sales Manager Benelux with a focus on the Netherlands, but in the future possibly also Belgium and Luxembourg.

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 assigned countries/ 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 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 inside the area 1 region, but also visiting our shipyards, fairs and exhibitions outside of the area 1 region together with clients.

Key accountabilities

• Proactively identify and develop market opportunities through client acquisition, visits, trade fairs, and other marketing activities, providing strategic market insights to management.
• Build, maintain, and expand strong relationships with customers, brokers/agents, and key stakeholders within the assigned region or industry.
• Lead the sales process end-to-end: generate enquiries, prepare and follow up on quotations, negotiate commercial terms, and conclude sales contracts.
• Coordinate closely with internal teams, ensuring alignment on client contacts, sharing market intelligence, and representing the sales area within the organization.
• Oversee newbuild orders from contract to delivery, including production monitoring, customer visits to shipyards, launches, and vessel handovers.
• Manage customer issues, claims, and payment matters in collaboration with finance and management, assessing risks and proposing solutions.
• Report market developments, sales progress, and regional performance to the Area Sales Director.

Skills and experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, preferably in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Offshore Engineering, or a comparable technical field.
• 3–5+ years of relevant experience in a commercial and/or technical role, ideally within the capital goods industry.
• Strong commercial mindset with proven ability to build trust, manage long-term customer relationships, and communicate effectively at multiple organizational levels.
• Ability to balance customer needs with business objectives, supported by strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Entrepreneurial and market-driven, with the ability to recognize trends, identify opportunities, and translate them into sales results.
• Structured and disciplined way of working, including effective opportunity management and CRM usage (e.g. Salesforce).
• Strong affinity with complex technical products and shipbuilding processes; excellent command of Dutch and English, with full-time availability and willingness to travel extensively.

What we 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
• continuous focus on professional and personal development through our Damen Academy
• an active social environment such as events and sports

An assessment will be part of the selection procedure.

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Recruiter:

Gerard Eggink

Email:

[e-mail]

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