General Manager

One of our clients is an investment group that recently acquired a privately-owned Italian contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in complex, small-volume APIs with a 30+ year heritage.

The company is headquartered in Milan and serves approximately 50 global customers across Europe, Japan, China, and the Americas. It has a reputation for meeting EMA, PMDA, and (soon) FDA standards.

The new owners are funding a program to triple manufacturing capacity through a refurbished site and new reactors coming online in 18 months. Currently, over 75% of sales are generated through brokers, and there is no dedicated business development team.

About You

You will design, build, and run the engine that transforms technical excellence into double-digit revenue growth. The ideal candidate has 7+ years of experience closing complex B2B deals in APIs, CDMO services, or specialty chemicals, with a proven record of €3-10M+ contract wins. You possess a personal network within mid- to big-pharma sourcing and procurement. Fluent English is required; Italian is a plus but not mandatory. A builder’s mindset is essential, as this role offers the opportunity to become part of the leadership team. Nice to have: a degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or an MBA.

What We Offer

You will have founding-team influence in a profitable, reputable company with a well-known brand. Compensation includes a competitive base salary, an aggressive performance bonus, and long-term equity upside. The company has budgeted for hiring, marketing, and global travel. You will have a direct line to the Board and the freedom to shape the commercial strategy that will define the next decade of growth.