Senior Director Country Manager Division Farm Technologies Italy

GEA Germany GmbH; Modena; On-site; EUR 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

GEA Germany GmbH is seeking a senior leader to spearhead Farm Technologies in Italy, based in Modena. You will guide the management team, shape the sales and service organization, and drive market development while aligning with divisional strategy.

The role demands deep experience in international sales, operational leadership, and a strong customer-focused mindset. You will manage P&L responsibilities, budget and forecast across Italy, and collaborate with multiple internal stakeholders to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Management and/or a technical discipline.
• Additional education in Business Administration and an agricultural background are strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience.
• International experience in sales, service and general management, with a particular focus on country sales.
• Strong track record in steering international and country sales and service organizations, with a focus on sales growth.
• Advanced understanding of business development and experience in managing complex change processes.
• Experience working in a manufacturing and engineering environment, including the sale of complex products and associated value-added services.
• Strong sales acumen and demonstrated application of best practices in regional business development.
• Preferably, experience with legal procedures and knowledge of requirements relating to labor law, Health & Safety legislation and commercial regulations.
• Fluency in Italian and English.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop the Farm Technologies business in Italy, driving employee engagement and retention.
• Lead the Italy management team and build a state-of-the-art sales and service organization.
• Serve as the key contact for Farm Technologies Division Management, offering local market insights.
• Translate divisional strategy into country and sales strategy for Italy and ensure implementation.
• Take responsibility for P&L of all Farm Technologies sales in Italy, including budgeting and forecasting.
• Conduct national market analyses and monitor trends and competitor developments.
• Develop the country setup and dealer network; contribute to go-to-market strategy.
• Build strong customer relationships and engage stakeholders to maximize market access.
• Lead change projects and continuously improve processes and sub-processes.
• Ensure compliance with policies, laws, and risk management; negotiate contracts.
• Represent GEA Farm Technologies in Italy with external stakeholders.

Skills

Bachelor's degree focus

International Sales Leadership

Country Sales Experience

Strategic Planning

Change Management

Manufacturing/Engineering Environment

Public Speaking

Analytical Thinking

Customer Orientation

Leadership of International Teams

Negotiation Skills

Fluent Italian and English

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Business

Additional Business Administration education

Job description

Responsibilities / Tasks

Lead, manage and develop the Farm Technologies business in Italy, fostering GEA’s corporate culture to drive employee engagement, attraction and retention. Lead the GEA Farm Technologies Italy management team and build a state-of-the-art sales and service organization within the scope of responsibility. Act as the key point of contact for Farm Technologies Division Management and support the development of divisional strategies by providing local insights on customers, markets and country-specific dynamics. Translate the GEA Farm Technologies divisional strategy into the country and sales strategy for Italy, ensuring effective implementation to drive business results. Take responsibility for the P&L of all Farm Technologies sales and service activities in Italy, including budgeting and forecasting. Conduct national market analyses, monitor market trends and competitor developments, consolidate product requirements and identify new growth opportunities, including application expansion as well as organic and inorganic growth. Develop the Farm Technologies country set-up according to the defined archetype model, contribute to the go-to-market strategy and further develop the GEA Farm Technologies Italy dealer network. Build and sustain strong customer relationships across the Farm Technologies spectrum and engage with relevant stakeholders to maximize market access. Lead Farm Technologies change projects, challenge the status quo and continuously improve methods and sub-processes as part of daily business. Ensure compliance with corporate policies and local laws and effective risk management together with the management team. Negotiate relevant contracts and terms and conditions within the area of responsibility in line with regional and GEA Farm Technologies divisional standards and guidelines. Represent and defend the interests of GEA Farm Technologies in Italy with key external stakeholders, including local authorities, auditors, customers, suppliers, joint ventures and trade unions. Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders including Farm Technologies Division Management, Product Management & Sales, Finance, HSE, Human Resources, Marketing, works councils, Shared Service Center and direct and indirect reports. Act independently, in alignment with the Country MD and GEA Farm Technologies divisional objectives, to determine key objectives and make a significant impact on the results of the country market. Manage a high level of complexity by influencing stakeholders with different interests and making decisions in an environment with a high degree of ambiguity.

Your Profile / Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Management and/or a technical discipline.
• Additional education in Business Administration and an agricultural background are strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience.
• International experience in sales, service and general management, with a particular focus on country sales.
• Strong track record in steering international and country sales and service organizations, with a focus on sales growth.
• Advanced understanding of business development and experience in managing complex change processes.
• Experience working in a manufacturing and engineering environment, including the sale of complex products and associated value-added services.
• Strong sales acumen and demonstrated application of best practices in regional business development.
• Preferably, experience with legal procedures and knowledge of requirements relating to labor law, Health & Safety legislation and commercial regulations.
• Fluency in Italian and English.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, combined with strategic thinking.
• Excellent communication and public-speaking skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with strong organizational and leadership capabilities, a clear customer orientation and general manager perspective.
• Ability to lead and develop internationally and/or culturally diverse teams, combining strong top-line and target orientation with a strong people orientation.
• Strong intercultural and interpersonal skills, including persuasion, well-argued reasoning and the ability to build and maintain relationships and networks with relevant decision-makers and stakeholders at all organizational levels.

GEA is one of the largest suppliers of process technology for the food industry and a wide range of other industries. The international technology group focuses on process technology and components for sophisticated production processes in various end-user markets.