Business Development Manager – Luxury & Fashion
Descrizione dell'offerta
Business Development Manager – Luxury & Fashion (Milan)
Ref: KA47237
A leading global Japanese trading company is seeking a high-calibre Business Development professional to join its Italian subsidiary in Milan.
This is not a typical sales role.
This is a rare opportunity to move from a single-brand environment into a multi-brand, strategic platform, where your network, commercial instinct, and ability to close deals will directly shape the future portfolio of fashion and luxury brands across international markets.
Your Mission
- You will play a pivotal role in expanding the company’s fashion and luxury business by:
70% – Business Development (Core Focus)
- Identify, approach, and acquire new fashion & luxury brand partners in Italy and Europe
- Leverage your personal network (designers, brand owners, showrooms, decision-makers) to originate deals
- Lead negotiations and convert relationships into signed commercial partnerships
- Develop long-term brand strategies in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders
30% – Business Operations & Strategic Support
- Support ongoing business operations and existing brand portfolio
- Work closely with the Managing Director on business execution and strategy
- Ensure smooth coordination across internal teams (sales, logistics, admin)
Take ownership of both strategic and hands-on tasks in a lean organization
Who We Are Looking For;
This role is designed for a commercially driven, well-connected professional who thrives in a dynamic, hands-on environment.
Required Background;
- around 10 -15 years of experience in fashion / luxury industry
- Strong experience in roles such as: Business Development Manager / Wholesale / Sales Manager
/ Commercial / Distribution Manager
- Proven track record of originating and closing business deals (not just managing accounts)
Highly Valued Experience;
- Background with major luxury groups (e.g. LVMH, Kering, Richemont) or leading Italian brands
- Experience in wholesale, distribution, or brand expansion
- Exposure to showrooms, multi-brand environments, or international markets
- Prior interaction with Japanese companies or APAC markets is a plus
Key Success Factors
- A strong and active network within the Italian fashion/luxury ecosystem
- Ability to turn connections into real commercial outcomes
- Willingness to be hands-on and flexible (from strategy to execution)
- Long-term commitment mindset (this is not a short-term move)
Profile
- with 10-15 years of professional experiences within Fashion
- Italian native or long-term Italy-based professional
- Fluent in Italian and English (Japanese not required)
- Stable career history
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary: €80,000 – €130,000 (target around €100,000 depending on experience)
- Bonus included (structured within company band system)
- Contract level: Primo / Quadro depending on seniority
- Hybrid working: 2 days remote per week
- Lunch vouchers (office days)
- TFR (Italian pension scheme)
Working Conditions
- Location: Milan, Italy
- Working hours: 9:00 – 17:30 (1-hour lunch break)
- Start date: Ideally June 2026 (flexible to September)
- Travel: Domestic and occasional international travel depending on projects
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Work type: Hybrid working available (2 days at home)
Visa support: No
Benefits: Lunch vouchers provided (office working days), TFR (Italian pension scheme)
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Important Notes
- This role requires ownership, discretion, and long term commitment
- You will be expected to build business, not just maintain it
** All applicants for the Business Development Specialist role must have the right to work in the country without any restrictions as the Company is not able to offer visa support.
*When contacting us, please include the job reference number (Ref: KA47237) at the top of your message.
If your application is successful, you will be contacted within two business days.
We regret that due to the high volume of applications we receive we cannot provide feedback on individual CVs.