AS1087- International Sales Director – APAC & Africa

Devup; Emilia-Romagna; Hybrid; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

DEVUP, based in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, seeks an International Sales Director to drive APAC & Africa growth, combining strategic leadership with hands-on sales.

You will lead an international team of about 12 professionals, manage key accounts, and steer CAPEX negotiations while traveling regularly across markets.

Qualifications

• At least 8-12 years of international B2B sales experience in industrial or manufacturing markets.
• Strong knowledge of machine tools, industrial machinery, automation or capital equipment.
• Proven experience in managing international sales teams and developing distribution networks.
• Solid understanding of complex technical-commercial negotiations and CAPEX sales.
• A leadership style combining strategic thinking, operational involvement and people development.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and business development skills.
• Fluent English (C1); additional languages are considered a plus.
• Willingness to travel regularly across international markets.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop the international sales team, strengthening commercial capabilities and performance.
• Drive sales growth, profitability and market expansion across the assigned countries.
• Develop and consolidate relationships with distributors, agents and strategic partners.
• Personally manage selected key accounts and support complex B2B and CAPEX negotiations.
• Participate in international customer visits, trade fairs and business development activities.
• Monitor sales targets, market trends and competitive dynamics.
• Collaborate with Headquarters to align commercial priorities, customer needs and business development strategies.

Skills

International B2B sales

Team leadership

Negotiation skills

Business development

Strategic thinking

Excellent communication

Fluent English (C1)

Willingness to travel

Education

Engineering or Economics degree

Job description

Emilia-Romagna / Veneto, Italy | Hybrid & Remote Working

DEVUP TIPS

Our client is a well-established Italian industrial company experiencing significant international growth and investing in the development and strengthening of its global sales organization.

We are looking for an experienced International Sales Director to lead and further develop the APAC & Africa markets, combining strategic vision, team leadership and a hands-on commercial approach.

The role offers flexible remote working arrangements, with regular meetings at the Italian Headquarters in Emilia-Romagna. Candidates should preferably be based in Emilia-Romagna or Veneto.

The Company

Our client is an established industrial company based in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, operating internationally in the design and production of machinery and technological solutions for the manufacturing industry.

The company is currently strengthening its international commercial structure to support further business growth, market expansion and sales network development.

Your Impact

You will take responsibility for a commercial region generating approximately €25-30 million in annual revenue, covering Africa, China, India, Japan, other Asian markets and Oceania.

Reporting to the Global Sales Manager, you will lead and develop an international team of approximately 12 professionals, including Area Managers and Sales Back Office.

This is not a purely strategic leadership role: you will remain actively involved in business development, key customer relationships and complex commercial negotiations.

Your Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop the international sales team, strengthening commercial capabilities and performance.
• Drive sales growth, profitability and market expansion across the assigned countries.
• Develop and consolidate relationships with distributors, agents and strategic partners.
• Personally manage selected key accounts and support complex B2B and CAPEX negotiations.
• Participate in international customer visits, trade fairs and business development activities.
• Monitor sales targets, market trends and competitive dynamics.
• Collaborate with Headquarters to align commercial priorities, customer needs and business development strategies.

DEVUP SEARCH

We are looking for professionals with:

• At least 8-12 years of international B2B sales experience in industrial or manufacturing markets.
• Strong knowledge of machine tools, industrial machinery, automation or capital equipment.
• Proven experience in managing international sales teams and developing distribution networks.
• Solid understanding of complex technical-commercial negotiations and CAPEX sales.
• A leadership style combining strategic thinking, operational involvement and people development.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and business development skills.
• Fluent English (C1); additional languages are considered a plus.
• Willingness to travel regularly across international markets.

A degree in Engineering, Economics or a related field is preferred.

THE VALUE OF THE WORK

An opportunity to play a key role in the development of an international commercial organization, combining significant business responsibility ...

The position offers executive-level responsibility, a competitive compensation package and flexible working arrangements, within a growing international industrial environment.

This job posting is open to all candidates regardless of gender, in accordance with Laws 903/77 and 125/91, and to individuals of all ages and nationalities, pursuant to Legislative Decrees 215/03 and 216/03.