General Manager / CEO (Heavy Equipment)

Our client is an established mid-size manufacturer of technologically advanced heavy equipment for mining applications. This Germany-based company maintains a strong presence worldwide with fast-growing subsidiaries in the USA and Canada.

For this client, TH Bender is actively seeking a sales-focused and strategic General Manager / CEO, who will be a hands-on partner and advisor to the international leadership and drive the company's long-term development in the US and Canada. Most importantly, this includes leading and expanding the sales team, developing key accounts (for example, large mining operations), and managing all aspects of the company’s business activities in North America.

This role requires an experienced industry expert in heavy equipment with an extensive sales background and substantial experience forging business relationships with key players and decision-makers within the mining and construction industries in North America. The ideal candidate is an experienced executive with solid experience in the mining industry who can develop and drive the go-to-market strategy.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and vision to the US subsidiary, working with international executive management.
• Actively develop and execute mid- and long-term go-to-market strategies, plans, priorities and goals.
• Drive sales and strategic targeting of key markets and customers and leverage existing connections within the US/Canadian mining, construction, and other industries.
• Review and improve the existing sales and organizational structure; develop and refine processes and structures as needed.
• Build, manage, and maintain relationships with key existing and prospective customers and partners.
• Serve as a change agent for business improvements, new initiatives, policies, and processes.
• Actively manage the U.S. subsidiary’s P&L.
• Provide guidance, leadership, and motivation to the team.
• Support and participate in local and global trade fairs, conferences, workshops, etc.
• Represent the organization in important external business relationships with major clients, joint venture partners, and the public.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Key qualifications:

• Several years of leadership experience in sales, business development, and account management are required, ideally with general management experience and a service-oriented leadership background.
• Strong verifiable experience selling high-capital equipment to the North American mining and construction industries required.
• A solid market background and familiarity with the account base are strongly desired, preferably with experience selling and/or dealing within the targeted markets, including mining companies, suppliers, contractors, dealers, rental companies, and distributors.
• A proven track record of building or leveraging dealer networks is required, as is the ability to develop incentive programs targeting all stakeholders at a dealer organization, i.e., sales and service personnel.
• An existing rolodex of industry contacts in relevant industries would be an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in transforming strategies, processes, and organizations to drive business results.
• Show success in maintaining and establishing new business, negotiating contracts, and closing deals.
• Direct experience working across diverse cultures would be beneficial, with previous experience working for European-owned companies considered a clear advantage.