Director Strategy & Business Development, MCE Division

Director Strategy & Business Development, MCE DivisionHöganäs is the world leader in the iron and metal powders market, with an annual capacity of 500,000 tons. Together with our customers, we develop tomorrow’s solutions for the automotive industry, surface and joining technologies and additive manufacturing, which contribute to a more sustainable society. Höganäs was founded in 1797 and today we employ 2,300 committed people in 15 countries in Americas, Europe and Asia. Our turnover in 2025 was 11,045 MSEK. Our owners are Lindéngruppen and FAM. We are seeking an experienced and motivated Director Strategy & Business Development to join the management team of the MCE Division.This global role will be central to driving the division’s medium to long-term growth and strengthening its competitive position. As a member of the MCE Division Management Team, you will work closely with the President of MCE and senior stakeholders across the organization to formulate strategy, identify growth opportunities and ensure effective execution of strategic initiatives.The role combines strategic planning and execution, business development and M&A. You will work cross-functionally with Product, Sales, Operations, Finance and other functions to translate strategic direction into business plans, priorities and measurable outcomes. The RoleAs Director Strategy & Business Development, you will lead the development of MCE’s medium to long-term strategy and support its implementation across the division. You will generate market and competitive insights, assess new business opportunities and ensure that strategic priorities are translated into executable plans and key initiatives.You will also lead the business planning process, monitor strategic performance and act as a catalyst for change during strategic transformations and major business initiatives.Within business development, you will assess new markets, segments and business models and challenge and analyze investment cases together with business leaders. You will also establish and take ownership of the MCE M&A pipeline, including target screening, evaluation, due diligence and integration planning.You will report to the President of the MCE Division.The position is based at the headquarters in Höganäs. International travel may be required depending on active projects. Key ResponsibilitiesLead the formulation of MCE’s medium to long-term, 3–5 year growth strategy, including growth pathways, market positioning and differentiation. Conduct market and competitive intelligence covering industry trends, competitive dynamics, customer needs and potential disruptive forces. Ensure updated market size and market share information to support strategic decision-making. Translate strategy into executable business plans, priorities and key initiatives in line with the corporate process. Lead the business planning process in coordination with internal and external stakeholders, including data management. Drive strategy execution across Product, Sales, Operations, Finance and other functions. Establish mechanisms for monitoring strategic implementation and regularly review business progress. Adjust priorities and tactics in response to changes in the market and business environment. Communicate strategic rationale, priorities and progress to senior management and key stakeholders. Identify risks related to strategic execution and develop appropriate mitigation plans. Act as a change agent during strategic transformations and major business innovations. Assess opportunities in new markets, segments and business models, including feasibility studies and market entry strategies. Challenge and analyze investment business cases together with business leaders. Establish and take ownership of the MCE M&A pipeline and ensure alignment with the division’s strategy. Analyze potential target companies and identify prioritized targets. Lead evaluation, due diligence and integration planning for potential investments, acquisitions, divestments and joint ventures. Qualifications & ExperienceWe believe that you have experience from driving growth, different initiatives and M&A processes in an international, high pace organization. Preferably you also have previous experience from investment banking and/or management consulting.A background from an investment banking/consulting firm or/and a larger industrial company is an advantage. You have experience from developing and presenting decision material for complex topics in an international environment.To be successful in this role we believe you need to have strong performance management skills, you are good relationship builder at all levels and geographic parts of a global organization and have excellent communication skills.As a person you possess a high level of energy and personal drive, have strong analytical skills and a strategic mindset. You are curious, want to deliver result and have a structured approach.You are able to perform stand-alone analytical work and independently prepare high quality presentations in cooperation with other senior executives.You hold a relevant university education and have excellent English and Swedish skills, both spoken and written. Working at HöganäsWe aim to offer a great and meaningful place to work where you can fulfil your potential and ambitions. We welcome all applicants and strive for diversity. We have a clear management philosophy, and just like us you believe that through collaboration and openness we develop as individuals and as a company. We see all employees, regardless of position, as leaders when we approach the challenges that the world – and we – face. Höganäs ambition is to lead the transformation to better meet the needs of tomorrow and become the preferred supplier of sustainable metal powder on a global scale – join us in our journey of sustainable change and towards net-zero climate emissions. Application and ContactHöganäs is collaborating with Academic Search International for this recruitment process. You can apply by clicking the “Apply Now” button, which will take you to a form where you can submit your contact information together with your CV and, if desired, a cover letter.Selection may take place on an ongoing basis, so please submit your application as soon as possible.For more information about the position, please contact:Senior Consultant Marcus Kleine, marcus.kleine@academicsearch.se Recruitment Manager Betty Holmberg, betty.holmberg@academicsearch.seAll information is handled confidentially in accordance with Academic Search’s Privacy Policy and GDPR. This means we can only process your application via this channel. Thank you for your understanding. About Academic SearchAcademic Search International is one of Scandinavia’s most merited companies within Executive Search & Interim Management. Our focus is people with documented manager- and specialist competences. We have close collaborations with national and international companies with strong brands and purpose. Our mission is to unite the best qualified candidates with the toughest challenges at the most interesting companies in Sweden. www.academicsearch.se