Manager - Order Execution, Africa Region

Create a better future!
Do you want to make a difference in the world and contribute to a sustainable future? We believe we can develop technology and gain the knowledge to make that difference. We have launched our ambition, Mission Zero – enabling our customers to move towards zero emissions in mining We need your leadership skills, curiosity, and drive for change to fulfil our goal. Together, we enable our customers to produce the materials needed for a better future.
Role Purpose: Lead and manage end-to-end sales order execution, ensuring orders are executed in accordance with contractual obligations, business objectives, and customer requirements. Drive revenue realization, billing performance, contribution margin, quality, and on-time delivery through effective execution strategies, cross-functional coordination, process standardization, and continuous improvement. Lead team performance and ensure achievement of agreed business KPIs.
Key Accountabilities
Lead end-to-end execution of sales orders in line with the agreed execution plan, ensuring optimal contribution margin, revenue realization, quality, and timely delivery while meeting customer expectations.
Review and finalize large, complex, and high-value orders, ensuring commercial, operational, contractual, and financial requirements are appropriately addressed.
Review orders involving Letters of Credit (LCs), Bank Guarantees (BGs), and other complex payment terms in collaboration with Finance, Legal, Procurement, and Logistics.
Coordinate with Legal and Compliance teams to ensure compliant order execution, including orders involving embargoed or restricted countries.
Develop and maintain revenue forecasts, billing plans, and order execution schedules to support business planning and financial commitments.
Monitor order execution progress, revenue realization, billing milestones, backlog, delivery commitments, and key performance indicators; initiate corrective actions to address deviations.
Establish effective communication with customers and internal stakeholders to manage expectations, address escalations, and maintain strong business relationships.
Implement order execution strategies, standard operating procedures, governance mechanisms, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, quality, and productivity.
Lead, coach, and develop the Order Execution team; identify competency gaps, support succession planning, and establish clear performance objectives and accountability.
Ensure effective order processing, milestone tracking, risk identification, and timely delivery through proactive monitoring and escalation.
Review order intake by order typology and product category to ensure appropriate classification, accurate order booking, and alignment with revenue recognition and reporting requirements.
Identify risks related to delivery, quality, contractual obligations, payment terms, and resource availability; establish mitigation plans to minimize business and customer impact.
Interface with Internal Stakeholders
Partner with Sales and regional financial teams to review order intake, contribution margins, revenue forecasts, billing plans, and significant financial deviations.
Collaborate with Legal, Finance, and Compliance teams to resolve contractual disputes, commercial deviations, payment-related risks, and regulatory concerns.
Work with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Logistics teams to manage material availability, delivery schedules, shipment readiness, and execution bottlenecks.
Support resolution of customer concerns relating to delivery, product quality, warranty, and other post-order commitments.
Drive regular performance reviews with key stakeholders, ensuring timely escalation, clear ownership, and closure of critical actions.
Customer Management
Ensure delivery performance meets or exceeds customer commitments and DIFOT (Delivery In Full, On Time) targets in accordance with contractual terms and applicable Incoterms.
Maintain regular communication with customers regarding order status, delivery schedules, billing milestones, and potential execution risks.
Coordinate with Sales and Finance to ensure timely customer invoicing, payment follow-up, and resolution of outstanding commercial issues.
Drive customer satisfaction through reliable execution, transparent communication, and timely resolution of issues.
What you bring
A strong background in Global Business Engineering or a comparable field, with extensive experience in supply chain and international business operations.
Proven experience across order execution and customer relationship management, ensuring seamless coordination from order placement to final delivery.
Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to anticipate potential risks, identify bottlenecks, and implement effective solutions proactively.
A proactive, structured, and organized approach to work, with the ability to manage multiple orders, priorities, and customer requirements simultaneously.
Strong cross-cultural awareness and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders from diverse nationalities, cultures, and professional backgrounds.
Education Qualification
Bachelor’s Engineering degree from a reputed university. Mechanical specialization would be preferred.
Experience
· 12 to 15 years of experience in supply chain, order management, project execution, or commercial operations.
· Strong experience managing end-to-end sales order execution, from order receipt and order review through delivery, shipment, and invoicing.
· Proven ability to manage customer expectations, resolve escalations, and maintain strong business relationships.
· Ability to anticipate execution risks, resolve bottlenecks, and manage payment delays, material shortages, and delivery challenges.
· Experience leading teams, monitoring performance, allocating resources, and driving KPI achievement.
· Ability to collaborate with Sales, Finance, Logistics, Procurement, Manufacturing, and Project Management.
· Experience working with global customers and multicultural teams across different regions.
· Track record of improving on-time delivery, order cycle time, productivity, customer satisfaction, and profitability.
· Familiarity with ERP systems, order management tools, KPI dashboards, and performance reporting.
What we offer
Competitive benefit package including Health Insurance, Personal Accident / Disability, Group Term Life Insurance, Annual health check-up, and voluntary insurance options
Time to recharge through 30 days PTO (with up to 10 days carry forward as Earned Leave stock)
Work-life balance with a flexible work schedule so you can focus on professional and personal priorities
A global network of supportive colleagues and growth opportunities
We encourage applicants of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply - the more diverse our employees are, the stronger our team is.
As an equal opportunity employer, FLSmidth embraces diversity and equality by promoting an environment of inclusion. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply - the more diverse our employees are, the stronger our team is. In our commitment to equal opportunity and eliminating bias, we kindly request that you exclude personal information such as age, ethnicity, marital status, number of children, and photographs from your application materials
We offer all employees access to a dedicated recognition platform, empowering you to celebrate achievements, share appreciation and stay connected globally.