Executive Director Aftermarket (w/m/d)

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Service Business Development
Develop and execute the global Material Handling service strategy aligned with business objectives and growth ambitions
Define and implement a lifecycle service offering covering spare parts, field service, inspections, maintenance programs, upgrades, digital services, and long-term service agreements
Identify and develop new service revenue opportunities across the installed base
Lead regional teams in developing local service growth strategies while ensuring global consistency
Drive service excellence as a key element of the customer value proposition
Global expansion of the components business
Service Portfolio & Lifecycle Management
Own the global service portfolio for the Material Handling business
Collaborate with Product Management to develop service-friendly products and lifecycle solutions
Define service standards, pricing frameworks, and commercial policies
Lead the development of the component business to sales growth opportunities and improve business performance
Ensure service offerings evolve in line with customer needs and emerging market trends
Customer Experience & Installed Base Growth
Establish strong relationships with key customers and strategic accounts
Promote proactive customer engagement to maximize equipment uptime, reliability, and productivity
Develop programs to increase service penetration across the global installed base
Implement systematic customer feedback processes and continuously improve service delivery
Act as executive sponsor for critical customer service escalations
Operational Excellence
Improve service execution and operational performance globally
Drive the capture rate across the installed based
Establish and monitor KPIs related to service revenue, margin, response times, customer satisfaction, safety, and service productivity
Drive standardization of service processes, tools, and performance management systems
Implement continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, quality, and scalability
Expand the component set-up globally regarding profitable growth across different industries
Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory requirements
Digital Services & Innovation
Lead the development and deployment of digital service solutions, remote support capabilities, condition monitoring, and predictive maintenance technologies
Leverage data analytics to improve service delivery and customer outcomes
Drive adoption of Industry 4.0 and AI technologies within the service organization
Collaborate with technology and engineering teams to develop future-oriented service offerings
Financial Performance
Drive global service revenue growth, profitability, and recurring income streams
Develop annual service business plans, forecasts, and strategic growth initiatives
Monitor financial performance and identify opportunities to improve margins and operating efficiency
Support pricing optimization and commercial excellence initiatives
Contribute to overall business performance through effective lifecycle revenue management
Leadership & Organizational Development
Lead and develop a high-performing global service organization
Foster a culture of accountability, customer focus, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Build organizational capabilities to support future growth and digital transformation
Develop succession plans and talent pipelines for critical service leadership positions
Promote cross-functional collaboration across Product Management, Engineering, Operations, Sales, and Service teams
Candidate profile
Educational Background
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field
Master's degree (MBA or equivalent) preferred
Preferred Attributes
Passion for customer success and operational excellence
Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong focus on growth and innovation
Ability to balance strategic vision with operational execution
Collaborative leader who builds strong partnerships across functions and regions
Advocate for digital transformation and continuous improvement
Professional Experience
Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in Service, Aftermarket, Operations, Product Support, or related industrial businesses
Proven experience managing global service operations within industrial equipment, material handling, process systems, or related industries
Demonstrated success in driving service growth, profitability, and customer satisfaction.
Experience leading international and cross-functional teams in a matrix organization
Technical & Industry Knowledge
Strong understanding of material handling systems, pneumatic conveying, feeding technologies, and industrial process equipment
Experience with aftermarket services, spare parts management, field service operations, and equipment lifecycle management
Knowledge of digital service technologies, predictive maintenance, remote diagnostics, and Industry 4.0 applications
Understanding of manufacturing, supply chain, and operational excellence principles
Leadership & Interpersonal Skills
Strategic thinker with a strong commercial mindset
Excellent leadership and team development capabilities
Strong communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.
Ability to lead in a global, multicultural environment
Demonstrated ability to drive organizational change and transformation
Analytical & Business Acumen
Strong financial understanding with experience managing service profitability and business performance
Data-driven approach to decision-making and continuous improvement
Ability to translate customer needs into scalable and profitable service solutions
Language & Cultural Skills
Fluent in English
Additional languages are an advantage
Ability to work effectively across cultures and geographies
Who we are:
Coperion (www.coperion.com) is a global industry and technology leader in process technology serving a variety of end markets, including plastics, plastics recycling, food, pet food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, chemical, battery, and mineral industries. Every day, our teams of experts create individual, high-quality process technologies and systems optimized for the best end products, highest efficiency, and sustainability. Coperion is a business unit of Hillenbrand.
Hillenbrand (www.hillenbrand.com) is a global industrial company that provides highly engineered, mission-critical processing equipment and solutions to customers in over 100 countries around the world. Our portfolio is composed of leading industrial brands that serve large, attractive end markets, including durable plastics, food, and recycling. Guided by our Purpose — Shape What Matters For Tomorrow™ — we pursue excellence, collaboration, and innovation to consistently shape solutions that best serve our associates, customers, communities, and other stakeholders.