Managing Director

The organisation

Voortman Steel Construction is a national leader in the engineering and construction of innovative steel structures for commercial, industrial and infrastructure applications. The company has been recently acquired by Severfield plc, a UK based company that specialises in the design, fabrication and construction of structural steelwork for commercial, industrial and infrastructure projects. Severfield has over 50yrs experience in the field of structural steelwork and is a market leader in the sector. Severfield is listed on the London stock exchange and has a reputation for delivering high quality projects innovative designs and excellent customer service. 

Voortman Steel Construction, based in Rijssen with an additional office in Maassluis, designs and builds steel structures to meet the unique needs of its client, including warehouses, factories, office building, data centre, bridges, power plants and many more.

The company utilises state of the art technology and advanced software for the design, fabrication and construction of its steel structures resulting in superior quality, increased efficiency and faster delivery times.

The company has a dedicated team of engineers and construction professionals who work collaboratively with their clients to develop the most cost-effective solutions tailored to their specific needs.

The position

We are seeking a talented and experienced Managing Director to be responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, financial performance, operational efficiency and broader European growth of our structural steel fabrication and construction business in the Netherlands. Replacing the current Managing Director who is leaving us for new opportunities.

Reporting to the Group Chief Operating Officer (based in the UK) the successful candidate must ensure the local business operates in line with the PLC group objectives, purpose and values. Finding better ways to build in a world of changing demands. Managing growth, both in the Dutch and broader European mainland through expanding our current operations in the Netherlands to take advantages of future growth potential in these markets.

You will lead a team of manufacturing, engineering, project management, construction and sales professionals to ensure high quality product delivery, effective project management and excellent customer service. You will play a key role in establishing and implementing operational policies and procedures, identifying new business opportunities and maintaining positive relationships with clients, the supply chain and other stakeholders.

The Managing Director is responsible for driving the growth agenda across the Commercial, Industrial and Infrastructure structural steel sectors in the Netherlands operating under a ‘win-design-deliver’ mandate.

As part of a wider Group, the Business Unit will also call upon matrixed centralised support functions consisting of HR, Finance, Health & Safety, Quality, Sustainability, Communications, IT and Procurement. With specialists supporting local teams and ensuring Group consistency where applicable and required.

Tasks & responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies to increase revenue, profitability and market share to consolidate our position as the structural steel fabricator and construction business in the Netherlands.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities to grow our infrastructure business in the Netherlands.
• Develop and execute strategies to increase company revenue and market share for our main contractor Design and Build business.
• Direct day-to-day operations including sales, business development, engineering, design, fabrication, construction and finance.
• Set up and deliver new projects (from inception through to final account) overseeing project management processes to ensure the timely and efficient execution of projects within budgetary constraints and with suitable oversight and management of project risk. Responsible for the selection of supply chains (working with Group Procurement as required).
• Manage budgets, financial forecasts and cost control measures to optimise the financial performance of the company. Ensuring accurate and timely reporting into the Group Financial Controller.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients, supply chain and key stakeholders to ensure customer satisfaction and retention.
• Recruit train and mentor a team of manufacturing, engineering, project management, construction, sales professionals and administrative staff to achieve operational objectives. Ensuring that appropriate HR procedures are followed in each department. Provide training, development, and encouragement to ensure all operations are resourced with sufficient, competent and motivated people.
• Comply with statutory, legal and Group requirements for Health and Safety, Building Codes, and Quality Standards etc. and ensure that all members of the business are aware of and working in accordance with these requirements.
• Work with appropriate management reporting mechanisms to ensure the Severfield Executive Committee and Board of Directors are fully informed of business progress and operational issues.
• Participate in industry events and networking opportunities to stay up to date with trends and best practice with in the industry.

Candidate profile

• Proven senior management experience in the Netherlands is a must. While the successfully appointed candidate does not necessarily need to have domain knowledge and experience of working within Structural Steel. If they do not have this understanding, they must have the propensity and desire to get up to speed quickly in this area. 
• Previous working knowledge of built environment construction processes is essential. Experience gained working for a main contractor would be desirable due to the breadth of the role which includes management oversight of our growing Design and Build business.
• Fluent in Dutch and English (written and spoken)
• Familiarity with industry standards, regulations and best practice for SHE
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business or a related field
• Fast-paced, commercially astute, and P&L savvy with the ability to drive results and grow the profits of the business. Previous budgetary responsibility for managing a P&L of circa €200m or proven track record in managing growth in a smaller scope.
• Experience of strategic planning and execution with an ability to articulate the vision, set high standards of performance and possess a "roll up the sleeves" attitude to achieving goals.
• Possess a strong executive leadership presence that translates well both with internal teams as well as externally, with clients and other industry professionals.
• Experienced operating in an international matrix structure preferably for a listed company.
• Capable of thinking creatively and adept at pragmatic problem solving.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills with experience in business development and customer relationship management. With the ability to communicate effectively, both verbal and written to a diverse audience at all levels.
• Organised and methodological with a keen eye for detail.
• IT skills e.g., proficient with Microsoft software.

The offer

The terms and conditions to be offered will reflect the importance of this role and its potential to impact on the whole of Severfield.

• Salary: A competitive salary in line with a candidate’s reasonable expectations.
• Bonus: Maximum 30% (based on Group Profitability and Business Unit Safety performance currently)

Interested?

You can apply to this position by using the form below. For questions please contact Arjan Sibma at +31 (0)6 28 53 97 17.

Please note: this is a repost of a previously published position, due to changes in the job profile. Candidates who have already applied are kindly requested not to do so again.