Regional Maintenance & Repair Manager Europe

The organization is currently going through an important transformation: moving from a more decentralized structure towards a stronger, centralized and globally aligned corporate model. For the European region, they are looking for a hands-on and people-oriented European Maintenance & Repair Manager to help embed this new way of working at local level and further professionalize the Maintenance & Repair function.
This is a key management role based in Rotterdam, with a strong focus on leadership, supplier management, operational performance and change. The role is not intended for a deep technical specialist, but for someone who understands logistics and operational processes, knows how to lead people, builds strong relationships and is motivated by the opportunity to improve and shape how things are done.
You will join a business with a strong international footprint, a pragmatic culture and a clear long-term perspective. Over time, this position is expected to grow into a broader European responsibility across multiple brands within the group.
As European Maintenance & Repair Manager, you will be responsible for leading and developing the regional M&R team in Rotterdam and managing the European depot and service provider network. Your main goal is to ensure that containers move through the maintenance and repair process as efficiently, safely and cost-effectively as possible, so that assets are available again quickly and downtime is reduced.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading, coaching and developing the Maintenance & Repair team in Rotterdam, including both technical and administrative colleagues.
• Creating structure, stability and clarity within a team that is operating in a changing organizational environment.
• Translating the new global corporate structure and central guidelines into practical local processes and ways of working.
• Managing and strengthening relationships with external service providers, including container depots, inspection companies, parts suppliers and other relevant partners across Europe.
• Taking a partnership-driven approach towards suppliers, with a focus on long-term cooperation, performance improvement and mutual accountability.
• Independently negotiating contracts, annual rates and service agreements with depot groups and other suppliers.
• Monitoring and improving depot and M&R performance through KPIs, with a strong focus on reducing downtime, improving turnaround times, managing repair costs and increasing asset availability.
• Managing budgets, repair cost control, personnel planning and operational performance for the regional M&R function.
• Identifying bottlenecks in processes, supplier performance or internal cooperation and taking proactive steps to improve them.
• Working closely with internal stakeholders such as Customer Service, Sales, Technical, Fleet Management, Operations, IT and senior management.
• Managing cooperation with departments in a constructive and solution-oriented way.
• Supporting process optimization, standardization and future system improvements, including preparation for a major IT/ERP upgrade.
• Maintaining a strong understanding of the European service network, with key business hubs in the Rotterdam-Antwerp region and Le Havre, as well as growth opportunities in Eastern Europe.
• Travelling regularly within Europe to visit depots, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Taking ownership of additional projects and improvement initiatives related to M&R, depot performance and operational efficiency.