Our client is a worldwide market leader in manufacturing intermediate food ingredients. The company has global presence, with more than 60 years of commercial and manufacturing presence in Italy. Following their ambitious growth plans, our client is planning to hire an Italy Business Development Manager to consistently monitor and explore business opportunities in Italy, a country where the company still sees many growth opportunities. 
 
 Position  
The position will initially be based in Northern Italy (preferably around Milan/Lombardia).  The Company has a strong presence in the market with several distributors and is widely known in the food sector.  Step by step he should build a local sales team and eventually a sister company in the country with distribution facilities. 
The position will require a combination of advanced marketing and financial knowledge to assess potential opportunities in the market. Including the development of new products and eventually local acquisitions.  
 
 Responsibilities:  
- Grow the business in Italy to its full potential.  
- Develop and maintain business relationships with potential partners or acquisition targets.  
- Work with the senior management on strategic initiatives around products & services as well as market expansion.  
- Conduct deep-dive research on market trends and requirements.  
- Drive evaluation of new strategic partnerships and acquisitions.  
- Suggest the best strategy to penetrate the market in terms of products selections, flavour adaptation and shape adjustment according to the market requirements and to the local law applied.  
- Drive end-to-end deal execution, including due diligence, modelling, negotiation, and integration planning.  
- Regularly visit factories around Italy in order to conduct consultative sale projects with different counterparts. 
Candidate Profile  
it is desirable for the person to have experience in the Food Market, with focus on B2B sales-oriented companies.  
The ideal candidate will be one with 5/7 years of working experience in Italy, including knowledge of the country and its local market.

He / she should be fluent English, and Italian. Spanish language would be valued.  

Generic Skills:  
- Ability to create, develop and maintain relationships with possible partners or acquisition targets.  
- Possess strong business acumen and be results oriented.  
- Ability to manage a team and a country structure.  
- An MBA, CFA or Bachelor of Finance, or related degree from a reputable university would be valued. 
- Entrepreneurial spirit, with initiative and ability to work independently.  
- Corporate Development, constantly searching for new opportunities.  
Technical abilities:  
- Excellent analytical skills, including financial modelling, valuation, and strategic analysis.  
- Attention to detail, with ability to build reports and presentations that frame findings and conclusions effectively.  
- Knowledge of the food industry in Italy.  
- Knowledge of Italy consumers’ preferences and cultural circumstances.