Sophie WU
Head of Geocycle North America (Holcim/Amrize Group)
Toronto, Canada,ON
Summary
Entrepreneurial Global Executive in Waste Management, Building Materials & Circular Economy
Entrepreneurial global executive with 20+ years leading circular economy, waste management, and building-materials businesses at Geocycle, Lafarge, Holcim/Amrize, and Veolia. Proven track record turning waste into value, scaling CO₂-reduction solutions, and delivering strong P&L performance. Brings deep expertise in operations, commercial growth, strategy, M&A, and international trading across North America, Asia, and emerging markets. Kellogg MBA and Chemical Engineer known for innovation, execution, and building high-performing, multicultural teams.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
Work History
Head of Geocycle North America
Holcim Group (Amrize Group since June 2025)
Toronto , Canada
01.2019 - Current
- Delivered full P&L accountability, generating $360M+ revenue and $120M+ EBIT in 2024, doubling the business over four years through disciplined execution, operational excellence, and strategic portfolio growth.
- Led an organization of 600+ employees, recycling 4M+ tons of waste and achieving 1.1M tons of CO₂ reduction in 2024, materially advancing circularity and decarbonization across North America.
- Directed $300M+ in strategic investments—combining organic expansion, technology deployment, and M&A—to accelerate growth while building a high-performance, results-driven culture aligned with long-term value creation.
- Pioneered fly-ash beneficiation technologies, transforming landfilled ash generated by power plants into low carbon but high-value cementitious products and establishing Geocycle North America as a market leader in waste innovation and cement decarbonization.
Director of Strategy and Mergers & Acquisitions
Lafarge Canada
Toronto , Canada
01.2013 - 01.2019
- Led the end-to-end execution of 10+ acquisitions and joint ventures, expanding market share and operational scale, including Lafarge’s largest RMX acquisition in Toronto.
- Directed post-merger integration for the Lafarge–Holcim Canada combination, unifying operations, systems, and culture to accelerate value capture.
- Developed and executed long-term business strategies aligned with corporate growth ambitions, driving sustainable value creation across multiple business lines.
- Spearheaded capital projects and organic growth initiatives that complemented M&A efforts, including new facility developments, network optimization, and product innovation.
Marketing Director
Lafarge US
Detroit, USA
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Directed strategic marketing across 14 U.S. states and Eastern Canada, accelerating cross-border growth, expanding market share, and elevating adoption of high-performance products and solutions.
- Delivered $12M+ USD in incremental EBIT by launching innovative offerings and optimizing pricing strategy, strengthening competitiveness and margin performance.
Director of Marketing & Logistics
Lafarge China
Chongqing, China
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Developed and executed the sales and marketing strategy for a new 2M TPA cement plant, launching a B2C commercial model that generated $10M+ USD in annual incremental EBIT.
- Led supply chain optimization initiatives, achieving ~$15M USD in annual savings through improved logistics, procurement, and network efficiency.
- Built and led a high-performing, diverse commercial team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and operational excellence.
International Trading & Strategy Manager
Lafarge Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
01.2005 - 01.2009
- Managed seaborne international trading of cement, clinker, and cementitious materials from the Asia-Pacific region to Europe, the Americas, and Africa, generating ~$100M USD in annual revenue.
- Achieved record export revenue and profit for Lafarge South Korea during the 2008 global financial crisis by optimizing market mix, pricing, and commercial execution.
- Led a multinational commercial and logistics team across South Korea, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, strengthening regional execution, collaboration, and customer engagement.
- Built strong customer networks in Europe, the Americas, and Africa, and robust supplier networks across Asia-Pacific, enhancing market intelligence and supporting sustainable portfolio growth.
Business Development Manager
Veolia Water
Beijing, China
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Led Business Development for Veolia Water South China, driving strategic growth across municipal and industrial water services.
- Secured a landmark 50-year water service partnership with Shenzhen Water Group, enabling long-term, reliable water supply and wastewater treatment for 10M+ residents.
- Built strong government and stakeholder relationships, positioning Veolia as a trusted partner in sustainable urban infrastructure and supporting Shenzhen’s long-term circular water strategy.
Quality Control Supervisor
Lafarge China
Beijing, China
01.2000 - 01.2003
- Oversaw end-to-end quality control operations for a major cement plant, leading laboratory teams and driving continuous improvements in product performance, process stability, and compliance.
- Led the successful implementation and certification of the ISO 9000 quality management system, strengthening operational discipline and customer confidence.
- Played a key role in new product development, including blended cements, and secured market certifications that enabled commercial launch and expanded market penetration.
- Collaborated closely with operations, sales, and technical teams to ensure product quality aligned with customer requirements and industry standards.
Education
MBA - Kellogg School of Management
Northwestern University
USA 05.2001 -
Bachelor Degree of Engineering - Chemistry
Wuhan University of Technology
China 05.2001 -
Skills
Executive & Strategic Leadership
Timeline
Head of Geocycle North America
Holcim Group (Amrize Group since June 2025)
01.2019 - Current
Director of Strategy and Mergers & Acquisitions
Lafarge Canada
01.2013 - 01.2019
Marketing Director
Lafarge US
01.2011 - 01.2013
Director of Marketing & Logistics
Lafarge China
01.2009 - 01.2011
International Trading & Strategy Manager
Lafarge Malaysia
01.2005 - 01.2009
Business Development Manager
Veolia Water
01.2003 - 01.2005
MBA - Kellogg School of Management
Northwestern University
05.2001 -
Bachelor Degree of Engineering - Chemistry
Wuhan University of Technology
05.2001 -
Quality Control Supervisor
Lafarge China
01.2000 - 01.2003