Director of Sales

The Company

Our client is a privately owned Italian industrial group with nearly 90 years of manufacturing heritage, founded in 1937 and headquartered in Zogno (Bergamo), Italy. The Group is internationally recognized for its craftsmanship, engineering depth, and ability to turn design‑driven ideas into scalable industrial products. Originally rooted in premium wood craftsmanship, the client has evolved into a global manufacturer of custom components and finished products, serving a wide range of industries, including cosmetics, luxury packaging, tools, consumer goods, and pet care. Today, the Group combines traditional industrial excellence with advanced materials, automation, and sustainability‑driven innovation.

The company operates multiple production facilities in Europe and is also based in Hickory, NC, enabling close proximity to customers and fast, reliable execution across global markets.

The Opportunity

Our client is looking for a Director of Sales to build and grow the company in the United States.

This is not a “plug‑in” sales role. It’s a chance to build something meaningful, to take a premium brand and introduce it into the U.S. pet grooming tools market.

In this role, you will have full commercial ownership of the company in the U.S., you will promote a brand combining Italian design excellence with U.S.‑driven production and go‑to‑market execution. If you enjoy building brands, developing long‑term customer relationships, and owning results, this role offers real scope and autonomy.

The Role

Developing the brand in the U.S.

In this position, you are the commercial lead for the company in the U.S.

• You own revenue, profitability, and growth
• You develop and manage key B2B accounts and long‑term programs
• You build a strong commercial pipeline and convert it into a sustainable business
• You expand professional distribution for the MinelliPets brand
• You ensure the brand is positioned clearly, credibly, and consistently
• You represent the company with distributors, at trade shows, and across professional channels

Building Private Label & Custom Programs 

A major part of the role is working closely with brands that want more than a supplier.

• You identify new opportunities in the market to offer a private label program and act as a trusted industrial partner to pet, lifestyle, and adjacent brands
• You structure repeatable, long‑term programs, not one‑off deals
• You translate brand needs into scalable, high‑quality grooming tool solutions
• You contribute market insight to marketing, trade fairs, and influencer initiatives

Influencing Product & Strategy.

You won’t just sell products, you’ll help shape them.

• You work closely with R&D and Product Development Leadership in Italy
• You bring market feedback into product development decisions
• You balance brand growth with private label and custom requirements

Your Background

• At least 20 years of proven commercial experience in pet grooming tools in the U.S. market
• Strong, hands‑on knowledge of:
• Product positioning at groomers and retail channel (private label)
• Professional distributors and channels
• Buyers, pricing dynamics, trade shows, and competitors
• Experience from a manufacturer, brand owner, or professional distributor is needed to succeed in the role

Your Critical Success Attributes

• You bring industry credibility and an established network
• You think like an owner and lead commercially, not just strategically
• You’re comfortable being hands‑on in an entrepreneurial, lean environment
• You care deeply about brand, quality, and design, but stay commercially grounded
• You enjoy working cross‑culturally and partnering closely with the Italian HQ

Who You’ll Work With

U.S.: Sales and operational support, production, and logistics. Marketing & Digital campaigns, brand and communication professionals.
Italy: Product development and international strategy. Engineering & Industrialization. Leadership & Board of Directors.