Job Description

Job Title

Service contract manager

Job Description

Do you enjoy building strong customer relationships while ensuring complex operations run smoothly every day? Are you motivated by combining operational leadership, contract management, and continuous improvement in an international environment?

As a Service Contract Manager, you are responsible for the overall performance of service and maintenance contracts across Southern Europe. You work closely with customers, service teams, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to ensure contractual commitments are met, operations perform at their best, and customers receive the support they need to keep their business moving.

This role offers a combination of operational management, commercial responsibility, and customer engagement, giving you the opportunity to make a visible impact on long-term customer success.

About the role

As Service Contract Manager, you own the day-to-day management and long-term success of your service contracts. You translate contractual agreements into operational performance, drive continuous improvement, and ensure customers remain confident in Vanderlande as their trusted service partner.

What you will do

• Lead the operational delivery of service and maintenance contracts, ensuring agreed service levels, performance targets, and contractual obligations are achieved.
• Coordinate maintenance activities, resources, suppliers, and subcontractors to ensure safe and efficient execution of planned and corrective work.
• Build strong customer relationships and act as the primary operational contact for contract-related matters, performance discussions, and escalations.
• Monitor contract performance through KPIs and operational data, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, reliability, and customer satisfaction.
• Manage contract budgets, including labour, materials, spare parts, and external service costs, while supporting healthy financial performance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance service delivery, operational excellence, and long-term customer value.
• Lead small retrofit, modernization, and replacement projects from planning through execution, ensuring scope, schedule, budget, and quality objectives are met.
• Prepare and present operational and performance reports to customers and internal stakeholders, providing clear insights and recommendations.
• Collaborate closely with internal service teams, engineering specialists, procurement, and HSE colleagues to ensure successful contract delivery.
• Promote a strong safety culture by ensuring compliance with safety regulations, contractual requirements, and Vanderlande standards.
• Identify opportunities for contract growth, service improvements, upgrades, and modernization activities, translating customer needs into value-adding service solutions.
• Contribute to service sales objectives by developing trusted customer relationships, supporting contract renewals, and collaborating with commercial teams to expand the service portfolio within existing accounts.

About the Team

You will join a customer-focused Services team within Vanderlande's Southern EMEA region, led by Jesus Chocarro, Director Services.

The team is responsible for managing long-term service partnerships across a diverse portfolio of airport and logistics customers in Spain and other Southern European countries. Together, you ensure customers can rely on their automated systems every day while identifying opportunities to improve performance and strengthen long-term relationships. You will work in an international and collaborative environment where operational expertise, customer focus, and teamwork go hand in hand.

Your profile

You are someone who enjoys taking ownership, building relationships, and finding practical solutions. You understand how service operations work, can balance customer expectations with business objectives, and proactively identify opportunities to strengthen customer partnerships and grow the service business.

What you bring

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Experience in service management or a role closely related to service contract management.
• Understanding of service operations, maintenance execution, and contract delivery.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive and customer-focused approach.
• Experience within automated handling systems, capital goods, industrial automation, logistics, or system integration environments.
• Experience working with third-party service providers and subcontractors.
• Knowledge of service contracts and commercial agreements is considered an advantage.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Financial awareness and experience managing operational budgets.
• Ability to analyze data, KPIs, and operational performance metrics.
• Fluent in English, both written and verbal.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally when required.
• Strong focus on customer satisfaction, continuous improvement, and team development.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to recognize customer needs and translate them into service and business opportunities.
• Experience supporting service sales activities, contract renewals, or business development within a service-driven environment.
• Strong focus on customer value creation, commercial growth, and long-term relationship management.

Our offer

As a Service Contract Manager, you will play a critical role in ensuring operational excellence and customer success within a leading global organization. We offer:

• A full-time role in a dynamic, innovative, and international environment.
• The opportunity to work with advanced automation and service solutions across various industries.
• A structured onboarding and professional development program.
• Access to learning platforms and tailored training opportunities.
• 20 vacation days, plus Easter and Christmas holiday weeks, and a punch of Fridays with a reduced schedule.
• Career growth opportunities within a global organization recognized as a Top Employer.
• Competitive employment conditions and benefits package.
• A highly collaborative culture focused on innovation, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Your application

So, if you would like to join a profitable and growing company that will enable you to reach your goals and focus on your future, then please apply now by completing the application form and uploading your CV and motivation letter.

For more information, please contact Britt Laarhoven (Recruiter) on +31 413 49 33 73.

Diversity & Inclusion

Vanderlande is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status.