Commercial Manager Salvage

Working at Boskalis is about creating new horizons and sustainable solutions. In a world where population growth, an increase of global trade, demand for (new) energy and climate change are driving forces, we challenge you to make your mark in finding innovative and relevant solutions for complex infrastructural and marine projects. 



SMIT Salvage is part of Boskalis and one of the world’s largest salvage companies. In your job as commercial manager you will play a key role to save assets that are in peril and minimize environmental harm keeping our seas clean for future generations. SMIT Salvage has a huge track record and its client base includes a large number of shipping companies, governments, oil and gas companies, drilling companies and leading insurers. SMIT Salvage has skilled employees and specialised equipment, and is able to respond to incidents anywhere in the world on a 24/7 basis. It does so out of five Emergency Response Centers which are strategically located for the main international shipping routes: Rotterdam, Houston, Macae, Cape Town and Singapore. The centers provide a 24-hour link to clients, vessels, the Boskalis Group offices and agents around the world. In addition SMIT Salvage can rely on an extensive global network of partners, experts and suppliers. This position is based in the Smit Salvage Papendrecht office.

As a commercial manager you get the unique opportunity to make your mark in the adventurous yet highly professional world of maritime salvage (emergency response and wreck removal). Through negotiating and entering into contracts you will help parties such as blue chip shipping or offshore companies and port authorities with saving their ships, cargo and reputation as well as contributing towards preserving one of our most precious resources, our oceans. In the role of commercial manager you will conduct negotiations with clients and ultimately seal the deal. Naturally you will be sensitive towards the client’s needs at all times, but at the same time you will never lose sight of the commercial interests of SMIT Salvage and Boskalis.



In this exiting role, your work as a commercial manager does not end when the contract is concluded; you will keep commercial oversight during the execution stage of the project as a central part of the project team; the calm in the eye of the storm. Working closely together in a team of professionals, you will identify client needs and concerns and negotiate with the client regarding any additional services, new price agreements or variation orders. Your duties will also include the financial settlement, as well as the overall project settlement with subcontractors, dispute resolution, payments and claims.



Given the unpredictability of the powers of the ocean there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ workday for a commercial manager. After all, you never know when and where a vessel might run into trouble, or exactly how a salvage operation or wreck removal will play out. Your work may take you anywhere in the world and needless to say will not always take place during office hours.



Your responsibilities as a commercial manager

• To further shape the commercial activities of SMIT Salvage and contribute to a bright and successful future with a special focus on business development.
• To act as key account manager for our clients or be responsible for our clients in certain regions, thereby positioning SMIT Salvage as preferred responder.
• Maintain and expand our network of response partners and (sub)-contractors and formalize these relationships by pre-qualification and cooperation agreements.
• To commercially manage a project from the office and ensure correct settlement.
• To negotiate and finalize contracts with clients and subcontractors.
• To identify new opportunities and openings both for new business and for variation orders with existing clients.
• To act as first point of contact for emergency response operations, outside office hours, according to rota.

Your qualities

To be a successful commercial manager at SMIT Salvage you must have a commercial and competitive drive, as well as the ability to rapidly build relationships in an international playing field. Being able to recognize the various interest of the different stakeholders involved is key. You are a team player and a persuasive conversation partner, find it easy to communicate at various levels and are mindful of cultural differences at all times. You have strong analytical skills, with a proactive approach. Creativity and decisiveness are characteristics that fit you. In addition you will have:

• Obtained a degree in a nautical or business subject.
• At least two years of work experience in a similar role in an international environment.
• A proven track record in a business-to-business environment.
• An excellent command of written and spoken English, possibly another additional language.
• A keen interest in working abroad when required.
• Experience in the shipping, insurance, towage or salvage sector is a distinct advantage.

What you can expect

• A dynamic environment: A job where you can make an impact, in an earth-moving company, as part of a diverse, international team of experts.
• Rewarding conditions: A competitive salary and much more, including holiday allowance, holiday entitlement of 26 days (based on a full-time contract), a non-contributory pension scheme, collective schemes such as company health insurance, travel allowance, and foreign posting terms. 
• Career development: Plenty of opportunities to realize your full potential. Challenge yourself with (online) courses in our Boskalis academy.
• The Boskalis campus: Experience the unique Boskalis vibe at our Papendrecht site, complete with restaurants, sports fields, and a wharf where our vessels dock. We offer a state-of-the-art auditorium, brainstorming rooms, experience center for client meetings, and a barista corner where you can connect with colleagues. 
• Young Boskalis: Are you under 36? Come and join Young Boskalis! Have fun and join in social and sports activities ranging from pub quizzes to yoga, bootcamps and an annual sailing boat race. Networking and knowledge sharing are a vital part of Young Boskalis as well. 

Extra information

• Your team: As a commercial manager you will work within the SMIT Salvage Papendrecht commercial team. You will work for one of the largest salvage companies in the world. You are part of a team of 4 commercial managers. You will also work with various other colleagues who are part of the salvage team.
• Where you will work: You will work at our office location in Papendrecht and at project locations worldwide.
• Fulltime/ part time job: The function of commercial manager is a fulltime job.
• Next steps: Apply easily by completing the online application form. Interviews are held online or in the office. Once it’s clear we’re a good match, we’ll make you an offer – and look forward to welcoming you to the company.

Interested? Please apply by filling in your details and by uploading your cover letter and CV on our careers site.

Disclaimer for recruitment and selection agencies

We appreciate your interest in our vacancies and understand that your candidate might be enthusiastic about this exciting opportunity. However, our recruitment process is not structured this way, at Boskalis we handle recruitment ourselves. Therefore we do not accept unsolicited applications or CVs from recruitment agencies. Any submission will be treated as a direct application.

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