**Overview of the Role** Our client is seeking an entrepreneurial and commercially driven **Country Head of Sales** to lead and grow its footprint in the Italian market. With current revenues of €15-20 million and strong ambitions to grow by an additional €5-10 million, this role plays a critical part in unlocking the region’s untapped potential. **Key Responsibilities** **Sales Strategy & Market Expansion**
- Systematically identify, qualify, and convert new business opportunities with prospective customers.
- Develop customized value propositions to win over previously untapped client segments, including mid-sized manufacturers and specialty users.
- Track market trends, competitor activity, and emerging customer needs to inform local strategy and refine positioning. **Client Relationship Management**
- Act as the commercial face of the company in Italy—owning the full customer lifecycle from prospecting to retention.
- Manage and expand a portfolio of strategic accounts, including at least one global key account headquartered in Milan.
- Build trusted partnerships with purchasing, technical, and leadership stakeholders within client organizations. **Cross-Functional Leadership**
- Provide regular commercial insights from the Italian market into the European sales leadership team.
- Support internal alignment during the integration of the acquired companies portfolios, ensuring consistency in customer experience. **Team & Operational Management**




- Manage one direct report and collaborate with customer service functions.
- Independently structure and drive day-to-day commercial activities, supported by central functions and global segment teams.
- Establish local routines and CRM discipline to drive pipeline transparency and performance tracking. **Profile Requirements**
- Minimum 10 years of experience in B2B sales, preferably in pigments, specialty chemicals, or industrial raw materials.
- Demonstrated success in opening new accounts and scaling market share within competitive, relationship-driven environments.
- Strong network and market knowledge across relevant Italian industries (e.g., coatings, inks, plastics, masterbatches, chemicals distribution).
- Entrepreneurial and proactive mindset, with the resilience and creativity to navigate complex sales cycles.
- Fluent in Italian and English; additional European languages advantageous.
- University degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Business, or equivalent; an advanced degree or technical training is a plus. **Organisational Context**
- This role operates fully remotely in Italy, with occasional travel across Europe.
- Reports directly to the European Head of Sales, with a dotted-line collaboration to segment leadership.
- Serves as the cornerstone of the commercial re-entry into a traditionally strong but recently underdeveloped market.
- The Italian market requires a high-touch, trust-based sales approach—this role will be instrumental in re-establishing and expanding brand visibility.

📌 Head of Sales Italy (Italia)
🏢 Michael Illert Executive Recruitment
📍 Italia