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Head of Engineering

Royal IHC is aiming to appoint a new leader for the Functional Discipline Engineering. This department is one of the enabling organizations for Royal IHC to achieve its strategy “making the maritime industry more efficient and sustainable”.

The core of IHC is organized via Business Units to enable the sales and production of IHC’s products in the most effective and efficient way. A matrix organization supports these units with so called Functional and Corporate Disciplines and Capacity Centers. These disciplines will – each with their own expertise – support the units in realizing their business plans and the overall Royal IHC strategy.

The Engineering department is a centrally managed organization, supporting product-specific competences within the BUs. It contributes to the realization of the objectives of the Business Units. The engineering department sets, drives and monitors global quality standards, methodologies, tooling etc., standardizes where possible (creating synergies) and customizes where needed. The department is responsible for uniform means and methods across BU’s, good competence levels, development and internal mobility of the workforce and sufficient capacity to serve all BU’s. The functional discipline will focus on coverage and will second its team [workforce/capacity] to the BU for the duration of the project and/or the annual budget.

The Engineering Department is responsible for the core of Royal IHC’s competitive advantage. As Head of Engineering, you will lead the Engineering team and all its relevant engineering competences. You will set the direction to instill an effective engineering approach from the first initiative through to commissioning and Life Cycle Engineering. You will include cutting edge new ways of working such as concurrent engineering, Design Engineering, Robotization; AI and VR technologies into the Royal IHC’s product offerings to smoothen and speed up the engineering & design processes across Royal IHC. You will have a strong focus on external trends to be able to challenge the product management and technology developments to speed up time to market and value creation for Royal IHC’s customers. Where it is value creating, you will explore external engineering opportunities to enhance your departments capabilities and competitiveness.

Key words: Maritime and Offshore Engineering Disciplines such as Naval, structural, systems, etc; System integration; Concurrent Engineering; Conceptual Design; Design Engineering; Tendering; Negotiation tactics; Continuous improvement; Expertise development; Means & Methods; Cutting edge technology within the Functional Discipline; Quality and efficiency (lowest OPEX); Partner for innovative solutions; Project Management;

You will:

• Lead and further develop a performance driven and customer-oriented Engineering Discipline with a strong safety culture and CSR ambition.
• Support the business strategy of the various BU’s and ensure sufficient capacity to serve the business.
• Maintain and implement a 3-5 year strategic plan in collaboration with the Management Team, with innovative engineering strategies and international focus.
• Ensure continuous improvement from recent and past engineering projects to ensure value creation and continuous learning while striving for a competitive advantage.
• Develop the engineering competence within Royal IHC and ensure internal mobility across the organization.
• Demonstrate an adaptive leadership style, meaning that you are able to lead the organization together with the BU’s through ups and downs in the market.
• Operationalize our core values: commitment, partnership and innovation (in topics mentioned hereafter).
• Build, maintain and extend long lasting relationships within the wider outside network of the Engineering Department.
• Cooperate within the organization in either their role as Capacity Supplier or Centre of Expertise, defining the standards (means and methods). Develop, set, drive and monitor global quality standards, methodologies, tooling etc.
• Grow and guard your organization as YOU-CARE – meaning: build an inclusive and diverse workplace and workforce; act ‘’Tell what to do– not how to do’’; create feedback loop; clear in communicating ‘what do I expect from you’; re- and up-skill the capabilities; hire new employees with the right capabilities.

You have:

• Over 15 years of management experience preferably in the maritime industry or equivalent.
• Leadership from a perspective of safety and well-being first and foremost and you have proven track record of growth mindset and steering teams to improve safety and quality standards.
• A completed master degree.
• In-depth insights in the customer needs, the business needs and your functional capabilities.
• Proven success in setting up an effective department with strong competence development and vibrant succession planning.
• Self-awareness: you instinctively know how to coach people through change, you are approachable and hands-on.
• Excellent communication, commercial, analytical and problem-solving skills. You think in solutions, not in bottlenecks.

You are:

• A natural leader, who knows how to lead a team by demonstrating excellent people skills, resulting in a high performing, customer oriented and engaged workforce.
• Able to find a balance between being a customer oriented and innovative Functional Discipline operating in a lean and efficient way.
• Committed to the purpose of Royal IHC.