Italy Strategic Accounts Sales Director

Role Purpose

The Italy Strategic Accounts Sales Director is a senior commercial leadership role within the SUNMI Europe team. The role is accountable for defining and executing the commercial strategy in Italy, with a strong focus on revenue growth, margin delivery, and strategic account development. The position plays a critical role in building and sustaining C‑level relationships with key customers and ecosystem partners, while representing SUNMI’s brand, values, and long-term interests in the Italian market.

Location

Italy, with regular reporting and review meetings at the European Headquarters in Lyon, France

Reporting Line

Managing Director Europe

Key Accountabilities

Commercial Leadership & Sales Strategy

• Define, own, and execute the commercial strategy and go‑to‑market plan for Italy, aligned with SUNMI Group and Europe regional objectives.
• Take full accountability for revenue, margin, and budget achievement within the assigned geography.
• Lead the annual business planning and forecasting process, ensuring disciplined execution and performance tracking.
• Drive growth across strategic accounts, with particular focus on banks, payment service providers, and premium retail customers.

Strategic Account & Relationship Management

• Develop, manage, and deepen long-term C‑level relationships with key customers, partners, banks, retailers, and relevant regulatory and certification bodies.
• Act as the senior escalation point for strategic customers, ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction and business continuity.
• Identify new strategic partnerships and ecosystem opportunities to strengthen SUNMI’s market position in Italy.

Market Development & Business Growth

• Identify and unlock new business opportunities and growth potential in the Italian market.
• Develop and implement multi-channel distribution strategies to expand market coverage and accelerate growth.
• Monitor market trends, customer needs, and regulatory developments to proactively adapt commercial strategies.

Financial & Operational Management

• Own and manage operating expenses (OPEX) in line with approved budgets and revenue/margin performance.
• Ensure operational excellence across sales, support, and service activities, mitigating risks and safeguarding business continuity.
• Measure customer satisfaction, identify performance gaps, and implement corrective action plans where required.

Cross-Functional & Network Leadership

• Lead and influence cross-functional collaboration across Sales, Marketing, Service, and Operations to support sustainable growth.
• Build and manage an interdisciplinary network across SUNMI Group entities and external partners at an international level.
• Strengthen collaboration and knowledge exchange with European HQ and global teams.

Strategic Planning & Corporate Development

• Act as a key contributor and driver in the strategic planning process for the Italian market.
• Translate SUNMI Group vision and long-term objectives into clear, executable local strategies.
• Define and execute association, standards, and regulatory strategies to protect and advance SUNMI Group interests.

Marketing, Brand & Competitive Intelligence

• Develop and execute local marketing strategies in close coordination with the Europe team, ensuring alignment with global brand objectives.
• Safeguard and promote SUNMI’s brand image and market positioning in Italy.
• Gather and analyze competitive intelligence, identifying risks, opportunities, and potential cooperation, joint projects, or acquisition targets.

Strategic Projects & Governance

• Lead or contribute to group-wide strategic projects as required.
• Ensure full compliance with SUNMI Group policies, corporate governance standards, and all applicable laws and regulations.

Key Success Factors

• Strong sales leadership mindset with a proven ability to drive revenue and margin performance.
• Strategic thinker with hands-on execution capability.
• Credibility and influence at C‑suite level with customers and partners.
• Ability to operate effectively in a complex, international, and matrixed organization.
• Strong commercial, financial, and operational discipline.

This role is critical to SUNMI’s continued growth and strategic positioning in the Italian market, combining high-impact sales leadership with long-term business and relationship development.