Vice President, Horizontal Transportation

About Konecranes

Konecranes values the crucial role of its people in delivering outstanding customer experiences. The company fosters a diverse and inclusive culture where every individual can thrive. With a passion-driven approach, Konecranes is a renowned global leader in material handling, operating with over 16,000 employees in more than 50 countries.

Role Overview

The Vice President of Horizontal Transportation at Konecranes Port Solutions will oversee the end-to-end profit and loss accountability for the Horizontal Transportation business segment, including strategy, product development, marketing, sales, and project management. This role reports directly to the Senior Vice President of BU Horizontal & Yard and commands a global portfolio of products such as Straddle Carriers, Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), and ECSS Software Solutions. The position is based primarily in Germany and the Netherlands, managing a team of about 300 staff located mostly in Düsseldorf, Würzburg, and the Netherlands. The role requires regular international travel approximately once or twice monthly depending on business needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and cultivate a high-performing leadership group while promoting an inclusive, innovative, and accountable corporate culture focused on customer satisfaction, risk control, technological progress, compliance, and governance.
• Formulate and execute strategic plans aligned with BU and Group-wide objectives, ensuring transparent processes, cross-functional collaboration, and a customer-centric approach that emphasizes long-term value.
• Manage the financial health of the business unit through budgeting, forecasting, performance monitoring, and timely interventions to maintain profitability and operational efficiency.
• Identify growth opportunities through in-depth market analysis and customer feedback, devise and implement business expansion strategies, and oversee product portfolio adjustments to address market gaps.
• Develop and maintain a market-driven product roadmap that balances customer requirements, manufacturability, cost efficiency, and integration with automation initiatives.
• Ensure strong relationships with key customers and stakeholders by addressing their needs and expectations to uphold customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Define and communicate the holistic system approach, set offerings, and pricing strategies in coordination with sales and marketing to enhance Konecranes’ position as a system integrator.

Candidate Qualifications

• Possess a university degree in a relevant area such as industrial engineering, electrical and automation engineering, business administration, information technology, or equivalent disciplines.
• Bring a minimum of 10 years' experience in senior leadership roles within an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) environment, preferably related to the ports industry, encompassing sales, product management, and leading sizeable organizations.
• Demonstrate strong business insight, extensive financial expertise, commercial and contractual knowledge, and a history of successfully crafting and implementing long-term strategic plans. Adaptability to emerging challenges and familiarity with large-scale automation projects are essential.
• Exhibit excellent leadership capabilities, strategic foresight, and effective execution skills. Must have a customer-focused mindset aimed at sustainable value creation, multicultural aptitude, strong communication skills, and a collaborative management style.
• Be willing to undertake regular international travel as part of the role requirements.

Additional Information

Applications are open until August 2, 2026. Early applications are encouraged since interviewing will begin immediately and the position will be closed once the right candidate is selected. For more details about the role, candidates may contact the Global Talent Acquisition Specialist via company email.

Konecranes is dedicated to equitable treatment of all employees and applicants in a discrimination-free workplace.