Director, Open Autonomy

Company Overview:

Wenco International Mining Systems Ltd. is a global leader in delivering innovative fleet management systems (FMS) and autonomous solutions to the mining and heavy industries. Committed to enhancing operational efficiency and safety, Wenco collaborates with industry giants such as Roy Hill, Rio Tinto, Scania, and Epiroc. Our mission is to revolutionize the mining sector through open, scalable, and interoperable autonomy solutions that drive the future of autonomous operations.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a strategic leader to spearhead the establishment and growth of our Open Autonomy business unit. This pivotal role involves developing and executing strategies to productize our Open Autonomy Integration Service, expanding our customer base, and nurturing partnerships with leading autonomy controller providers. The ideal candidate will drive business growth, the scalability of our solutions, implement standardized processes for pre-sales and commissioning, and elevate our presence through marketing and industry engagements.

Key Deliverables and Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership:
• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategic roadmap for the Open Autonomy business, aligning with Wenco's overall objectives.
• Identify market opportunities and emerging trends to position Wenco as a leader in autonomous solutions.
• Foster innovation by staying abreast of technological advancements and integrating them into the business strategy.
• Business Development & Partnerships:
• Expand and manage relationships with existing customers, ensuring the growth and success of ongoing projects.
• Cultivate new customer relationships and explore opportunities with potential clients to drive business growth.
• Strengthen partnerships with autonomy controller providers such as Scania and Epiroc, facilitating collaborative solution development.
• Productization & Scalability:
• Lead the productization of the Open Autonomy solution.
• Ensure that the offering is aligned with market demands, and provide feedback based on customer interactions and market trends through partnership with the Product Management and Engineering teams.
• Coordinate with relevant departments the implementation of standardized processes for pre-sales, install, commissioning, and multi-partner uptime support to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Develop scalable patterns and frameworks that can be replicated across multiple projects and clients.
• Operational Excellence:
• Oversee project delivery, ensuring timelines, budgets, and quality standards are met or exceeded.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to assess the performance of the Open Autonomy business, driving continuous improvement.
• Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction through effective service delivery and support mechanisms.
• Sales, Marketing & Industry Engagement:
• Collaborate with Sales, Product and Marketing teams to develop go-to-market strategies, promotional activities, and sales enablement tools that will drive demand
• Represent Wenco at industry conferences, media engagements, and networking events to enhance brand visibility and thought leadership.
• Develop thought leadership content, including white papers, case studies, and presentations that highlight Wenco's innovations.
• Team Leadership & Development:
• Build and lead a high-performing team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and innovation.
• Mentor and develop staff, providing guidance and opportunities for professional growth.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration to leverage expertise across the organization.

Experience and Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field.
• MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or similar preferred
• 10+ years of experience in a senior leadership role
• Minimum of 5 years of senior leadership experience in autonomous systems, fleet management, or related industries.
• Proven track record in launching and scaling business units or new product lines.
• Experience working with major industry players such as Roy Hill, Rio Tinto, Scania, and Epiroc is highly desirable.
• Experience in the mining or heavy industries sector.
• Familiarity with open autonomy platforms and integration technologies.
• Demonstrated success in marketing technical solutions and representing organizations at industry events.
• Minimal (10% -   29%) travel required.

Skills and Abilities

• Strategic Execution: Ability to craft and execute long-term business strategies.
• Leadership Excellence: Proven ability to lead, inspire, and develop high-performing teams.
• Business Acumen: Strong understanding of market dynamics, financial management, and operational efficiency.
• Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of FMS, autonomous operations, and integration services.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication abilities.
• Relationship Building: Skilled at forging strong partnerships with customers and industry partners.
• Problem-Solving: Analytical thinker with a proactive approach to overcoming challenges.
• Project Management: Experienced in cross functional, complex, and high stakes project management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the mining or heavy industries sector.
• Familiarity with open autonomy platforms and integration technologies.
• Demonstrated success in marketing technical solutions and representing organizations at industry events.