General Manager

GRTS; Noord-Brabant; On-site; EUR 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Kemppi is seeking a General Manager for the Netherlands and Luxembourg to lead the regional business, leveraging distributor networks and direct end-user engagement.

You will drive commercial strategy, develop the local team, and partner with European leadership to sustain growth across shipbuilding, metal fabrication, offshore and heavy industry.

Fluent Dutch and English, strong leadership, and a track record in technical B2B sales are essential; travel across the region will be regular.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in senior commercial leadership.
• Experience selling to industrial customers via distributor channels.
• Ability to develop relationships with end users while supporting channel partners.
• Fluent Dutch and English; willingness to travel across NL & LU.

Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for Kemppi's business in the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
• Lead, develop and support the local commercial, technical and product team.
• Develop and execute the regional growth strategy.
• Strengthen Kemppi's relationships with strategic distributors and dealer partners.
• Build direct relationships with major industrial end users and understand their requirements.
• Own regional sales forecasts, budgets and business planning.
• Represent Kemppi with customers, partners and at industry events.
• Collaborate with European leadership on marketing, product management and technical support.

Skills

Fluent Dutch & English

Commercial leadership

Technical B2B sales

Distributor channels

Team development

Job description

General Manager – Netherlands & Luxembourg

Kemppi | Premium Welding Technology & Solutions

Kemppi is a globally recognised manufacturer of premium welding equipment, digital solutions and services, trusted by shipbuilders, fabricators, manufacturers and heavy industry customers around the world.

With an established position in the Netherlands and Luxembourg, a loyal distributor network and a strong reputation for quality and innovation, Kemppi is looking to appoint a General Manager to lead the business through its next phase of growth.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of an established and profitable operation – leading the local team, strengthening Kemppi's presence with distributors and end users, and identifying new opportunities for sustainable growth.

The Opportunity

As General Manager, you will have overall responsibility for Kemppi's business in the Netherlands and Luxembourg, combining commercial leadership, team development and market strategy.

Kemppi predominantly reaches the market through distribution partners, but its success is built on being close to the people actually using its technology.

You will therefore work at both ends of the channel: developing strong distributor partnerships while building relationships with industrial end users in markets including shipbuilding, offshore, metal fabrication, manufacturing, energy and heavy industry.

We are particularly interested in leaders who understand this type of commercial model. You do not need to come directly from the welding industry.

Relevant backgrounds could include welding and cutting equipment, professional power tools, grinding and abrasives, industrial consumables, workshop equipment, metalworking technology or other technical products sold through dealers and distributors to professional industrial end users.

Key Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for Kemppi's business across the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
• Lead, develop and support the local commercial, technical and product team.
• Develop and execute the regional growth strategy.
• Strengthen Kemppi's relationships with strategic distributors and dealer partners.
• Build direct relationships with major industrial end users and understand their technical and commercial requirements.
• Identify opportunities to grow existing accounts, develop new customers and enter adjacent market segments.
• Maintain Kemppi's premium positioning and ensure the business competes on value, technology and service.
• Work closely with European leadership and colleagues across marketing, product management and technical support.
• Own regional sales forecasts, budgets and business planning.
• Represent Kemppi with customers, partners and at key industry events.

Who We're Looking For

We are looking for an experienced commercial leader with a strong understanding of technical B2B sales into industrial markets.

You could currently be a General Manager, Country Manager, Sales Director, Commercial Director or senior sales leader ready to take broader responsibility for a regional business.

Ideally, you will bring:

• Experience selling technical products, equipment or consumables to industrial customers.
• A strong understanding of dealer and distributor-led sales channels.
• The ability to develop relationships directly with end users while supporting rather than competing with channel partners.
• Exposure to industries such as shipbuilding, metal fabrication, manufacturing, offshore, energy or wider heavy industry.
• Experience leading and developing a commercial or technical team.
• A commercial, entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to identify and execute growth opportunities.
• Fluent Dutch and English.
• Willingness to travel regularly across the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

Direct welding experience is advantageous, but it is not essential. We are equally interested in candidates from adjacent sectors where technical products are sold through distribution to demanding professional and industrial users.

Why Kemppi?

Kemppi offers the opportunity to lead an established regional business backed by one of the most respected brands in professional welding technology.

You will inherit a stable business, established customer base and strong distributor network – this is not a turnaround assignment.

Instead, the opportunity is to build on those foundations: develop the team, get closer to customers, strengthen channel partnerships and identify where Kemppi can grow next.

For someone who enjoys combining leadership, strategy and being out in the market with customers, this is an opportunity to have genuine ownership and influence within an international industrial technology business.

Competitive salary, bonus and benefits package.