Gerrit Goedecke

Senior International Resources & Industrial Executive | Strategic Growth, M&A, Major Projects & Government Interface

Berlin, Berlin, Germany

About

I am a senior resources and industrial executive with 20 years of international leadership experience across Australia, Europe, North and South America. My background combines full P&L leadership, major project development, strategic growth and M&A, along with deep experience in stakeholder engagement, government interface and complex negotiations. Over the course of my career, I have led businesses and projects across the raw-materials sector, including establishing and leading K+S Salt Australia and advancing the Ashburton Salt Project in Western Australia. Earlier roles included global business development and M&A leadership in the United States, as well as project leadership in Argentina and Germany. I currently lead Germany’s national potash and salt industry association, working at the intersection of industry, government, regulation and public affairs. That role has added another dimension to my experience - industry representation, political and regulatory engagement, labour-policy interface and broader strategic positioning in a changing industrial environment. What has remained consistent throughout is my focus on building strong teams, creating momentum in complex environments, and turning strategic opportunities into practical results. I am always interested in exchanging views on resources, industrial strategy, project development, supply security, stakeholder engagement and international business.

Experience

  • VKS – Association of the Potash and Salt Industry (On-site)
    • Chief Executive Officer
      Nov 2025 - Present · 8 mos

      Lead Germany’s national association representing the potash and salt industry. Responsible for strategic positioning across economic, environmental and labour-policy issues; engagement with the Federal Government, EU institutions and industry stakeholders; and employer-side representation in sector-level negotiations. Reset the organisation’s strategic focus and external positioning around supply security, permitting reform and industrial competitiveness. Reshaped priorities and operating rhythm to increase clarity, speed and external impact. Modernised communications and member engagement through more targeted digital formats and clearer strategic messaging. Represent the sector in high-level dialogue with policymakers, member companies and labour counterparts.

    • Managing Director
      Aug 2025 - Nov 2025 · 4 mos

  • Member of the Board at Deutsche Rentenversicherung Knappschaft-Bahn-See KdöR
    Nov 2025 - Present · 8 mos

    The German Pension Insurance Knappschaft-Bahn-See (KBS), based in Bochum, is a federal social insurance institution that provides coverage for around 5.6 million insured persons. It combines pension, health and long-term care insurance, operates its own hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, administers the Seamen’s Fund and, through the Minijob-Zentrale, serves as the nationwide collection office for mini-jobs.

  • K+S Group (Full-time · 19 yrs 4 mos)
    • Managing Director - K+S Salt Australia
      Jul 2016 - Jul 2025 · 9 yrs 1 mo

      Established and led K+S Salt Australia, driving all aspects of the A$850 million Ashburton Salt Project, one of the largest greenfield solar salt projects in the world. Negotiated and signed an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) with Traditional Owners and the State of Western Australia, securing long-term partnerships. Delivered Pre-Feasibility and Definitive Feasibility Studies. Secured Strategic Project status from the Western Australian Government, solidifying the project's importance to regional development. Increased future annual production capacity from 3.5M to 4.7M tonnes through continuous optimization and engineering enhancements.

    • Vice President Business Development - Business Unit Salt @ K+S Salt LLC
      Feb 2012 - Jul 2016 · 4 yrs 6 mos

      Strategic business development of K+S Group’s world leading global salt business with production facilities on three continents, including salt specific greenfield scouting and M&A initiatives.

    • General Manager - K+S Mining Argentina S.A.
      Jun 2008 - Feb 2012 · 3 yrs 9 mos

      Implementing a mineral exploration project for K+S Group’s potash business unit in the remote Neuquén province in Argentina, including permitting, supplier selection and large contract negotiations.

  • WAGBA - Connecting People in Business & Culture (2 yrs 5 mos)
    • Vice President Media
      Sep 2023 - Feb 2025 · 1 yr 6 mos

    • Member of the Executive Committee
      Oct 2022 - Oct 2023 · 1 yr 1 mo

  • Chair of the Board at International School of Western Australia
    Feb 2018 - Mar 2022 · 4 yrs 2 mos

    The Australian Association for International Education Incorporated, a not-for-profit association incorporated in the State of Western Australia, operates the International School of Western Australia. The International School of Western Australia offers a unique opportunity for students to benefit from the progressive International Baccalaureate (IB) learning programme in a co-educational, non-denominational, egalitarian environment from Kindergarten through to Year 12. With over 40 nationalities of students enrolled at ISWA, including Australian, the school offers a true cross-section of international and local students. The vastly different experiences and backgrounds of students and staff enhances and expands classroom discussion, benefiting students significantly.