Innovation Process Engineer Thermal
Location: Zug, CH, 6300
Holcim is the leading partner for sustainable construction, creating value across the built environment, from infrastructure and industry to buildings. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Holcim boasts more than 48,000 employees across 45 attractive markets spanning Europe, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. We provide high-value, end-to-end building materials and solutions—from foundations to roofing—powered by premium brands, including ECOPlanet, ECOPact, and ECOCycle®. Discover more at www.holcim.com.
Role Overview
In 2025, Holcim launched the NextGen Growth 2030 strategy, aimed at becoming the leading partner for sustainable construction while creating superior value for people, customers, and shareholders. This strategy is built on four key pillars:
- Focused investment in attractive markets
- Sustainability driving profitable growth
- Expansion of high-value building solutions
- Performance culture and value creation
Among our sustainability goals are:
- Tripling volumes of recycled materials by 2024 (20+ Mt of construction and demolition material)
- Reducing scope emissions below 400 kg/t of cementitious material
- Reducing freshwater withdrawals by 33%
We aim to develop various technologies to achieve economically viable solutions at an industrial scale by 2030, with a focus on low to no CO2 products. Coordinating technical activities among various stakeholders is essential for integrating these new technologies into the cement manufacturing landscape.
Main Responsibilities
- Developing or scouting disruptive ideas and concepts in cement manufacturing, focusing on thermal process technologies, combustion, and energy management—primarily through open innovation and, in some cases, proprietary development.
- Designing thermal processes, from concept through lab testing to the successful commissioning of demonstrators.
- Managing the development, implementation, and execution of tests, prototypes, and pilot plants in collaboration with Group companies.
- Coordinating various global stakeholders and partners involved in process innovation projects, both internal and external (e.g., academia, suppliers), while ensuring effective interfaces with upstream and downstream processes.
- Building future knowledge within the Holcim group.
- Coaching and empowering project teams across countries and regions to drive process innovation within their projects.
- Representing the Process Innovation team in Holcim projects, meetings, and conferences, sharing knowledge and best practices.
Profile Required
1. Technical / Functional Skills
- Technical leadership in traditional and alternative combustion technologies; knowledge of mineralogical clinker phases is an asset.
- Experience in multicultural and multidisciplinary environments.
- Background in an innovation setting is advantageous.
2. Leadership and Managerial Abilities
- Results-driven leadership without formal authority.
- Ability to challenge the status quo.
- Strong team orientation and performance focus.
3. Behavioral Competencies
- Curiosity with a willingness to expand activity scope.
- Agile and innovative mindset.
- Business and financial acumen.
- Strong communication, team, and influencing skills—lead without formal authority.
- Results-oriented with resilience and perseverance.
Education / Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering, preferably in Chemical Process Engineering or a related technical field.
- Additional business certification is a plus.
Language Requirements
- Fluency in English (both oral and written).
- Knowledge of additional languages is a plus.
Mobility Requirements
Willingness to travel internationally up to 30% of the time.
Benefits
- Hybrid work contract.
- Family Support: Subsidized childcare and paid maternity/paternity leave.
- Professional Growth: Company-sponsored training and professional development opportunities.
- Discounts and Perks: Subsidized meals, exclusive discounts, and company gifts for special occasions.
- Long-service awards.
- Employee referral bonus.
- Pension and Savings: Access to a comprehensive pension fund and employee savings scheme.
Holcim is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace. We support equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of race, nationality, gender, sexuality, disability, or age.
Apply online using the form below.
Important Notice: Holcim recruiters only contact candidates via official @holcim.com email addresses. We do not use Gmail or any other non-Holcim domains to conduct recruitment processes. Please verify the sender address before responding.