MAERSK 
is recruiting 
SAFMARINE COUNTRY MANAGER    

Ref.: ML-111895

If you are looking for an exciting commercial leadership role within the shipping industry in one of the fastest developing economies in the world, then this opportunity might be exactly what you are looking for.

The Republic of Côte d’Ivoire is located in Western Africa, bordering on the south by the Atlantic Ocean. The population is estimated at 20 million with the capital city residing in Abidjan. The country is regarded as having a high level of religious freedom and diversity, with the predominant religion being Christianity, Muslim and animist.

Côte d’Ivoire boast lots of agricultural products like cocoa (1st worldwide producer), coffee, cotton, rubber, oil palm, cashew, and diverse natural resources natural gas, diamond, gold, timber, iron, etc. Côte d’Ivoire forms part of the Central Bank of West African States (of which it is the dominant economy), the West African Economic and Monetary Union and Economic Union of Central Africa (UEMOA) and the Organisation for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA).

The Côte d’Ivoire Cluster, which includes offices in Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Burkina Faso is a fast changing and dynamic collection of markets. With its head office in Abidjan, Maersk Liner business has established a strong and expanding presence in the area with an expectation for continued growth and development in the future.
Reporting to the Maersk Liner Business Cluster Top, the Côte d’Ivoire Safmarine Country Manager will recommend and deliver an effective commercial strategy to maintain and level up Safmarine strong presence in the country, drive costs and efficiency improvements, ensure employee engagement and staff performance as well as lead the Must Win Battles in Côte d’Ivoire.

We Offer

A challenging and exciting opportunity to work in a complex market and lead a team of engaged and highly professional colleagues. It is a vibrant environment where commitment and vision have led the organization successfully through a cultural transformation including the offshoring of Customer Service and Finance.

As the country Manager, you will contribute, inspire and engage in a regional vision with focus on profitability, talent and positive transformation. You will have overall hands-on responsibility for Safmarine for the country which entails ultimate responsibility for leadership, profitability, operational efficiency, strategy, execution and corporate governance of existing activities in Côte d’Ivoire.

You will be part of our Sales Leadership Team and share ideas and concerns with Sales in Côte d’Ivoire & Country Sales Rep for Liberia, Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso as well as with our Key account Sales Manager.

In this role, you will further acquire skills and knowledge building on general management as well as commercial experience, market knowledge and customer networks in a dynamic and competitive market.

Key Responsibilities

The country manager´s main responsibility is driving implementation of the Safmarine Sales and Customer Service strategies:

• Recommending and agreeing on an effective commercial strategy with the Africa Region Executive & Europe Region Sales Director
• The effective execution of the sales function, and that guidance and centrally provided tools are available and used in the countries to enable sales effectiveness
• Liaise actively with the Region & Trades to ensure dynamic pricing achieved in line with market conditions and yield/utilization targets
• Drive overall performance management in the country and deliver on commercial targets, drive cost-and efficiency improvements within the country
• To provide an exemplary customer experience through internal/external processes and achieve target Customer satisfaction levels and performance metrics of CUS processes
• To constantly drive optimization of sales and customer service processes to achieve efficiency targets while importantly ensuring maintenance and improvement of service levels.
• Execute on special projects as agreed with the Regional Executive
• Drive the further growth and development of the Safmarine Brand in the country
• Acting as a role model to Safmarine employees.

Who we are looking for

As an applicant you have good understanding of the shipping & logistics market as well as extensive experience from the shipping industry. You also have a proven track record as an inspiring and successful people leader, preferably within the commercial field. You are motivated by achieving your goals and by engaging others to achieve their goals. You have good coaching skills and you are able to attract and retain strong commercial talents.

• Minimum 5 years’ commercial and leadership experience, ideally with experience or understanding of growth and emerging markets.
• You are a Bachelor degree holder. MBA or equivalent education is a plus.
• You are fluent, both verbal and written, in English and French language.
• Strong commercial mindset and strategic thinking.
• Strong execution. Proven track record in developing and executing multiple business objectives simultaneously
• Inspirational and ambitious leader with high energy. Ability to lead and coach teams in an engaging and motivating environment.
• Appreciation for different cultural and environmental experiences and respect for diversity.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills. Strong influencing skills with a collaborative work-style, fostering cross-functional cooperation and teamwork
• Excellent change management skills and process-driven.

Last application date: 10 August 2016.

To apply, click here