Job Ad / Job opening(s)

The Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (SGC) is tasked by Unex (www.unex.net) of searching a Business Development Manager for its Singapore location.  

The Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (SGC) is part of a global network of German bilateral Chambers Abroad, with over 500 members from various industries in Singapore. As a not-for-profit organization, the SGC promotes trade between Germany and Singapore, advising companies on investment opportunities and facilitating international business contacts. It offers market research, publications, and advisory services, continually enhancing its offerings to sustain growth for its members and clients.

Company description

Unex is a European independent manufacturer founded in 1964, specialised non-metallic Cable Support systems such as Cable Trays, Ladders, Trunkings and Ties. Headquartered in Barcelona and with own manufacturing facilities in Spain. Activity in all 5 continents and now growing in the Asia-Pacific region.

Job description

To contribute to grow and develop the Unex business in the region, according to the company values, culture, policies and growing plans. 

Ultimately, help the company to grow as an international reference of non-metallic Cable Support Systems.

Your key responsibilities and functions/tasks

• Gather market information including key sectors, major distributors, competitors, local standards and regulations, commercial culture, and values. Assess how the market aligns with Unex's products, values, and growth plans, and identify opportunities for market expansion.
• Promote the solutions to relevant clients in a technical way and focus on added value. Secure approvals and gather specifications from owners and consultants.
• Get to know the decision makers and gain access to them. Organise meetings with them in advance. Online when we are away, and preferably face-to-face when we are in the area.
• Get to know the key stakeholders and team members involved in the projects (owner, consultant, contractor, sub-contractor) 
• Identify the most suitable distributors and maintain communication with them.
• Provide continued support to customers.
• Possess a technical mindset with the ability to quickly grasp the wiring rules and technical standards specific to each market. This knowledge is crucial for assessing product suitability. Maintain regular communication with the Technical Support Engineer in the head office.
• Record all activities in Salesforce and regularly update the Manager to prioritize tasks and set objectives.
• Consistently work along the company’s core values: Integrity, Resilience, Leadership, Excellence, Humanism, and Commitment. 

Your profile/Requirements

• Based in Singapore
• Gradaue of business related courses (Bachelor or higher)
• Possess a technical background, whether through a diploma, bachelor's degree, or advanced studies. Additionally, you must have around 3 to 5 years of experience working in a technical environment.
• Excellent communication skills in English and strong proficiency in Chinese are essential, as you will be interacting with Chinese-speaking clients.
• You may be traveling up to 50% of the time.
• Engaged, proactive team player who is reliable and capable of working independently while demonstrating self-initiative.
• Demonstrate a strong commercial and business development focus with proactive initiative.
• Exhibit strong soft skills, a positive service attitude, and a genuine willingness to assist clients.
• Working with: The Unex International Department (reporting to the International Sales Manager); local clients; and, as needed, clients from other regions. Additionally, work with various internal departments at Unex, including Product, eBusiness & Marketing, Administration, and Systems.

What the company can offer:

• Regular trainings to keep up with new trends and development
• At least one trip to the head office per year
• Good working European atmosphere and transparent communication within the different departments of Unex
• Opportunity to grow within the organisation

Application

If you think you possess the qualifications, then apply to career(at)sgc.org.sg. Please include in your application:

• a motivation letter (should include human values that are important for you)
• current CV
• and salary expectations. 

Only applications sent to the email address mentioned will be entertained. Please write under Subject: Business Development and Technical Advisor

Application deadline: 25 Oct 2024

Only short-listed candidates will be notified. 

Location: Singapore, full-time, travel required

The Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (SGC) is part of a network of 150 offices of the German bilateral Chambers of Industry and Commerce abroad in 93 countries. The Chamber is one of the largest national Business Chambers in Singapore with a membership of more than 600 representatives from a variety of industries from Germany and Singapore.

Our client, VDMA e.V., is Europe’s largest industrial association, representing 3,600 companies from the machinery and equipment manufacturing industry. Headquartered in Frankfurt/Germany with several offices around the globe and more than 600 employees, the VDMA offers comprehensive support to German companies venturing into foreign export and investment locations. To learn more about the organisation and its services, please visit: https://www.vdma.org/en/.

ASEAN is one of the fastest growing regions in the world. This means that the market for machinery and equipment is also growing, both as a sales market and as a production location. Compared to its Asian competitors, the European machinery industry is strongly underrepresented in ASEAN and has lost significant market share in recent years. The VDMA wants to support its members in regaining a stronger presence in the region.

The company is seeking a highly proactive Programme Manager to build up and supervise a membership network of subsidiaries of German and European machinery companies. This role aims to connect and create firm collaboration between member organisations resulting in enhanced business opportunities, improved business practices, and knowledge exchange of common experiences shared by fellow members throughout the industry. The initial focus will be on the markets of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

This position will be based in Singapore and directly report to the Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (SGCC) while collaborating closely with VDMA colleagues in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Responsibilities:

• Travel regularly to meet with business leaders of the member companies
• Create networking events for VDMA member companies in the relevant markets.
• Develop and maintain an up-to-date database of VDMA member companies that have investments in ASEAN, specifically in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam with designated contact persons within those subsidiaries.
• Research and analyse sector-specific market information
• Establishing contacts with partner associations and administrations. Lobbying for the interests of the European mechanical engineering industry
• Prepare and manage visits as needed of VDMA leadership and member companies.
• Support for VDMA members from Germany in setting up activities in ASEAN.
• Monitor ASEAN and country specific policy developments and identify legislation, regulations or other trends that create opportunities and challenges for the German and European mechanical engineering sector. The results of this monitoring will be communicated regularly to VDMA colleagues in Frankfurt am Main.

Requirements:

• 3+ years of relevant work experience, i.e., in a membership organisation, event planning, networking skills with the ability of creating/maintaining professional business relationships

• Bachelor’s degree or Polytech Diploma in applicable fields, i.e., International Relations, Trade, Economics, Politics,
• Willingness to travel frequently to other ASEAN countries and occasionally to Germany
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including an outgoing personality and willingness to speak in public
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team
• Strong research, analytic, organisational, time-management and communication skills.
• Effective networking skills including an aptitude for creating and maintaining professional relationships
• Flexibility to adapt to new topics and conditions as needed
• Excellent English language skills are a must, German language skills needed as you will be engaging with German speaking clients
• Business prior work experience with German or European partners.
• Willingness to perform occasional tasks during early-evening hours
• Willingness to travel

Does this challenging job appeal to you and do you see yourself in the profile described above? Then please send your most recent CV and supporting documents including academic qualifications with expected salary to: career@sgc.org.sg with the subject line “VDMA Programme Manager” by 15 November 2024. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.