Country Manager

AQUALEX; Emilia-Romagna; In loco; EUR 50.000 - 70.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

A fast-growing design and technology company is seeking a Sales & Country Director for Italy. The role entails establishing a commercial footprint, developing sales strategies, and managing key partnerships across various sectors. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in commercial leadership, solution-selling premium products, and the ability to lead teams. This position offers competitive remuneration and involves regular travel within Italy and to the Belgium headquarters.

Servizi

Competitive remuneration package

Performance-based bonuses

Training and support from HQ

International exposure

Competenze

• Experience in a senior commercial leadership role.
• Success in selling premium or design technology products.
• Familiarity with SaaS/XaaS models.

Mansioni

• Lead the go-to-market setup in Italy.
• Develop and implement sales and marketing strategy.
• Manage the full commercial cycle.
• Prepare sales forecasts and performance dashboards.
• Recruit and lead a local commercial team.

Conoscenze

Senior commercial leadership

Solution-selling

Business growth

Negotiation

Team leadership

Descrizione del lavoro

Our client, AQUALEX, is a fast-growing Belgian design and technology company specialised in high-quality drinking water solutions. The company develops and commercializes innovative drinking water systems and premium designer taps that provide filtered, cooled, sparkling and hot water across office environments, hospitality, healthcare institutions, education, public spaces and high-end residential settings. With a strong focus on sustainability, product innovation and aesthetics, AQUALEX promotes the shift from bottled water to a more circular and environmentally responsible approach to hydration.

From its Belgian headquarters, AQUALEX supports a growing European footprint across multiple verticals. Continuous investment in design, R&D, product quality and customer service has positioned the company as a rapidly growing player in a dynamic and fast‑evolving market.

As AQUALEX is currently scaling internationally, Italy represents a key growth market with a strong hospitality culture, thriving design ecosystems and a rising demand for sustainable drinking water solutions.

Sales & Country Director Italy

Your Mission

Reporting to the CEO in Belgium, you will take the lead in establishing and expanding AQUALEX’ commercial footprint in Italy. As the first Sales Director in the country, you will drive the go-to‑market setup, build commercial presence from the ground up and lay the foundation for sustained long‑term growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Developing and implementing a go-to‑market plan and a sales & marketing strategy for Italy.
• Detect and convert commercial opportunities and develop strategic partnerships within key target segments such as SME, Hospitality, Healthcare, Education and Corporate Workplaces.
• Managing the full commercial cycle: prospecting, pitch, negotiation, tender submission and closing.
• Representing AQUALEX at trade fairs, industry events and strategic meetings across Italy.
• Preparing sales forecasts, budgets, reporting & performance dashboards to HQ.
• Developing brand visibility in the market, together with Marketing Belgium (campaigns, showroom collaborations, B2B activations).
• Recruiting, coaching and leading a local commercial team to deliver growth targets.
• Ensuring operations are compliant with local regulations and market‑specific standards.
• Acting as AQUALEX’ ambassador in Italy, making strategic decisions that balance short‑term traction with long‑term value creation.

Your Profile

• Relevant and successful experience in a senior commercial leadership role (e.g. Country Manager, Sales Director, CEO, Business Owner).
• Demonstrated success in solution‑selling premium, design or smart and sustainable technology products, ideally across multiple verticals.
• Experience with SaaS/XaaS business models or hybrid product‑service offerings.
• Track record in business growth, scaling sales and partnership development.
• Skilled negotiator with high commercial maturity and deal‑closing capability.
• Deeply attuned to the country business environment, with a solid understanding of regional market dynamics, cultural sensitivities and decision‑making processes across the country.
• Entrepreneurial, self‑starting leader able to build from zero with limited structure.
• Hands‑on yet strategic – comfortable operating both in the field and in boardroom contexts.
• Pragmatic, result‑oriented, structured and commercially creative.
• Strong people leadership skills, with the ability to recruit, inspire, coach and develop teams, creating engagement, ownership and performance in a growing organisation.
• A high level of enthusiasm and positive energy, combined with the drive to take initiative and get things done.
• Fluency in IT/ENG, written and spoken.
• Willing to travel regularly across Italy and to Belgium HQ.

Our Values

At AQUALEX, we call our people Amigeaus – a community united by shared values and behaviours that define who we are and how we work together. Being an Amigeau means combining a ‘work hard, play hard’ mentality with genuine team spirit and enjoyment in what we do. Amigeaus are adaptable and self‑driven, comfortable with change and eager to take ownership. They are approachable and open, communicating transparently and collaborating easily across teams. With enthusiasm and positive energy, they drive momentum and inspire others. Above all, Amigeaus are open‑minded, curious and motivated to turn new ideas into meaningful progress.

Our Offer

• A key leadership role shaping the future of AQUALEX in one of Europe’s most strategic markets.
• The opportunity to build a country organisation from foundation to expansion, with high ownership and influence on market direction.
• A strong product portfolio and brand with premium design, sustainability and innovation as core differentiators.
• Competitive remuneration package including performance‑based bonuses.
• Full support and training from HQ Belgium, combined with international exposure and knowledge sharing.
• A culture that values autonomy, initiative and entrepreneurial growth with close collaboration across countries.

Ready to win the market and bring sustainable water design to life ?

Send your application letter and CV to Search & Selection for the attention of Mr. M. Van Beethoven : [e-mail].

You can also register on-line on www.searchselection.com and apply directly for this vacancy by following reference number : 16574.