Sophie WU
Head of Geocycle North America (Holcim/Amrize Group)
Toronto, Canada,ON
Summary
Entrepreneurial Global Executive | Innovation, Commercial Growth, Circular Economy & Industrial Transformation
Entrepreneurial global executive with 20+ years of international leadership driving innovation, commercial growth, and business transformation across the circular economy, waste management, and building materials industries with Geocycle, Lafarge, Holcim/Amrize, and Veolia. Proven track record of building high-performing commercial organizations, developing innovative solutions, growing revenue, and delivering strong P&L results. Deep expertise in strategy, operations, M&A, and international business across North America, Asia, and emerging markets. Kellogg Executive MBA and Chemical Engineer recognized for customer-centric innovation, execution, and developing high-performing global teams.
Overview
27
27
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 for a $360M+ business, generating $120M+ EBIT in 2025 and doubling the business over four years through commercial excellence, strategic pricing, customer-centric growth, operational discipline, and portfolio optimization.
- Led an organization of 300+ employees, recycling 4M+ tons of waste and achieving 1.1M tons of CO₂ reduction in 2025, 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.
- Developed high-performing commercial teams and strategic customer partnerships that consistently accelerated revenue growth, expanded key accounts, and strengthened long-term market leadership across North America.
Director of Strategy and Mergers & Acquisitions
Lafarge Canada
Toronto , Canada
01.2013 - 01.2019
- Led the end-to-end execution of 10+ acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships, accelerating market expansion, strengthening competitive advantage, and creating long-term shareholder value, including Lafarge Canada's largest ready-mix concrete acquisition in Toronto.
- Directed the post-merger integration of the Lafarge–Holcim Canada combination, successfully aligning commercial organizations, operations, systems, and culture to capture synergies, improve performance, and accelerate growth.
- Developed and executed enterprise growth strategies that balanced organic expansion, M&A, innovation, and portfolio optimization, delivering sustainable revenue growth and enhanced profitability across multiple business lines.
- Led major capital investments, network optimization, and new product commercialization, improving operational efficiency, expanding market reach, and positioning the business for long-term profitable growth.
Marketing Director
Lafarge US
Detroit, USA
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Led strategic commercial growth initiatives across 14 U.S. states and Eastern Canada, strengthening market position, expanding customer partnerships, and accelerating adoption of innovative, high-performance products and solutions.
- Delivered $12M+ USD incremental EBIT impact through customer-driven innovation, value-based pricing strategies, portfolio optimization, and commercial excellence, improving margins and strengthening competitive differentiation.
- Built market intelligence capabilities and cross-functional commercial strategies that translated customer needs into new product opportunities, enhanced sales performance, and sustainable business growth.
Director of Marketing & Logistics
Lafarge China
Chongqing, China
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Built and executed the commercial strategy for a 2M ton/year greenfield cement plant, pioneering a customer-centric B2C business model that accelerated market penetration and delivered $10M+ USD in annual incremental EBIT.
- Transformed the value chain through supply chain and network optimization, generating ~$15M USD in recurring annual savings through logistics excellence, strategic procurement, and operational efficiency improvements.
- Recruited and led a high-performing, diverse commercial organization, embedding a culture of innovation, customer focus, accountability, and continuous improvement to drive sustainable growth.
International Trading & Strategy Manager
Lafarge Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
02.2005 - 01.2009
- Led a global $100M+ USD international trading business across cement, clinker, and cementitious materials, managing complex cross-border supply chains and delivering profitable growth across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia-Pacific markets.
- Achieved record export revenue and profitability for Lafarge South Korea during the 2008 global financial crisis by leveraging market intelligence, optimizing portfolio mix, executing value-based pricing strategies, and adapting rapidly to changing market conditions.
- Built and led a multicultural commercial and logistics organization across South Korea, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, driving collaboration, operational excellence, and customer-focused execution across diverse markets.
- Developed strategic global customer and supplier networks, strengthening market access, supply resilience, and growth opportunities while enhancing Lafarge’s competitive position in international markets.
Business Development Manager
Veolia Water
Shenzhen, China
07.2002 - 05.2005
- Led strategic business development for Veolia Water South China, identifying growth opportunities and expanding the company’s presence in municipal and industrial water infrastructure markets.
- Secured a landmark 50-year strategic water partnership with Shenzhen Water Group, creating a long-term platform for sustainable water management, wastewater treatment, and reliable service delivery for 10M+ residents.
- Built trusted relationships with government leaders, industrial customers, and key stakeholders, positioning Veolia as a strategic partner in sustainable urban infrastructure and advancing Shenzhen’s long-term circular water strategy.
Quality Control Supervisor
Lafarge China
Beijing, China
01.2000 - 07.2002
- 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.
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
Innovation & Business Development
Sustainability & Circular Economy
Strategy and M&A
Marketing & Customer-Centric Strategy
Technical & Industry Expertise
Soft Skills & Leadership Development
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
02.2005 - 01.2009
Business Development Manager
Veolia Water
07.2002 - 05.2005
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 - 07.2002