Head of Thickening

Vice President, Head of Thickening

Job Description

Location

Global

Reports To

Product Group Head – Separation

Role Purpose

The Head of Thickening role is accountable for the global business performance and growth of the Thickener product offerings across the entire product lifecycle, encompassing both Capital equipment and Upgrades & Rebuilds (U&R).

This role owns the global P&L, commercial strategy, market positioning, pricing strategy, and product roadmap. Responsible for driving aggressive volume growth while protecting and growing profitability targets by maximizing customer value and ensuring a seamless customer offering throughout the lifecycle of installed equipment.

Working across a complex matrix organization, the VP leads the commercialization of both new equipment, upgrades and rebuilds, partnering closely with Capital Sales, Regional Sales, Product Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations and Services, to accelerate growth and create sustainable competitive advantage.

Executive Profile

The successful candidate must combine strong commercial leadership with a recognized understanding of thickening technologies and their application in minerals processing.

While supported by a team of product managers, application engineers, and technical experts, the Head of Thickening must possess sufficient technical depth and industry credibility to engage confidently with customers, challenge assumptions, evaluate product strategies, and make informed business decisions. The role requires an executive capable of driving business growth while serving as a trusted authority on the Thickener portfolio across both Capital equipment and lifecycle solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Business and P&L Leadership

• Own the global P&L for the Thickeners portfolio, including Revenue, Operating Income, Contribution Margin, market share, and profitability.
• Develop and execute the long-term business strategy and growth plan for both Capital and Upgrades & Rebuilds businesses.
• Deliver aggressive growth targets through expansion of equipment sales, modernization programs, and installed-base opportunities.
• Manage business performance through rigorous forecasting, pipeline reviews, financial analysis, and strategic planning.
• Lead and develop a global team of Product Managers, Product Engineers, Applications / Proposals, Technical sales, etc.
• Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability, customer value, growth, and execution.
• Identify and develop new revenue streams, market opportunities, and business models that enhance lifecycle value creation.

Commercial Leadership

• Define and implement global commercial strategies for Capital and U&R offerings.
• Lead the global sales growth agenda by partnering with Capital Sales teams, Regional Sales organizations, and key account leaders.
• Drive pipeline generation, conversion improvement, and sales excellence across all regions.
• Establish and govern global pricing strategies that optimize profitability while maintaining market competitiveness.
• Support major commercial negotiations and customer engagements for strategic opportunities.
• Monitor market dynamics, customer trends, and competitor activities to identify growth opportunities and business risks.

Upgrades & Rebuilds Growth

• Own the global strategy, growth, and profitability of the Upgrades & Rebuilds business within the Thickeners portfolio.
• Develop lifecycle offerings that increase customer productivity, sustainability, and equipment performance.
• Collaborate with regional commercial teams to identify modernization, expansion, and rebuild opportunities across the installed base.
• Establish standardized upgrade packages, retrofit solutions, and value propositions that are scalable globally.
• Drive alignment between global product strategy and regional commercial execution.

Product and Portfolio Strategy

• Define the global product roadmap and lifecycle strategy for the Thickeners portfolio.
• Collaborate with Engineering to prioritize innovation investments and technology development.
• Lead market assessments to identify customer needs, emerging trends, and competitive opportunities.
• Ensure product offerings remain differentiated, profitable, and aligned with market requirements.
• Drive standardization, product optimization, digital offerings, and sustainable technology initiatives.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead and influence a highly matrixed global organization without relying solely on direct authority.
• Partner with Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, Services, Finance, and Regional leadership teams to execute business objectives.
• Ensure alignment between commercial commitments, operational capabilities, and customer expectations.
• Support execution excellence throughout the order lifecycle to maximize customer satisfaction and long-term portfolio success.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a commercially driven business leader with deep experience in thickening technology and minerals processing. They have successfully managed a significant product line, business unit, or portfolio with responsibility for growth, profitability, and market strategy. They are equally comfortable discussing thickener performance and applications with customers and engineers as they are leading commercial negotiations, reviewing business performance, and driving strategic growth initiatives.

Experience

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience within mining, minerals processing, capital equipment, or industrial technology businesses.
• Significant experience with thickening technologies, dewatering solutions, or adjacent process equipment used in mineral processing operations.
• Demonstrated understanding of thickener applications, customer processes, operational challenges, product performance drivers, and aftermarket opportunities throughout the equipment lifecycle.
• Proven success leading a global business, product line, service line, or business unit with accountability for revenue growth and profitability.
• Strong commercial leadership experience, including business development, sales strategy, pricing, market expansion, and P&L ownership.
• Track record of driving growth across both capital equipment sales and aftermarket offerings such as upgrades, rebuilds, modernization programs, and lifecycle services.
• Experience working across highly matrixed global organizations and influencing stakeholders without direct authority.
• Established credibility engaging with customers, engineering teams, technical specialists, and regional commercial organizations at a strategic level.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related discipline.
• Master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or equivalent preferred.

Core Competencies

• Commercial Leadership
• P&L Management
• Strategic Thinking
• Stakeholder Management
• People Leadership
• Thickening Technology Expertise
• Sales & Business Development
• Lifecycle Solutions Management
• Results orientation

FLSmidth is the leading supplier of engineering, equipment and service solutions to customers in the mining and minerals industries – for more information please visit FLSmidth.com/careers

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