Managing Director (m/f/d) Australia & New Zealand

Job Description

ABOUT DEPARTER - THE KNOW-WHO PEOPLE

Departer is a leading German Executive Search firm with over 20 years of experience in global leadership recruitment. We specialize in placing executives in medium-sized enterprises and private equity portfolio firms across ANZ, MEAI, ASIA, and DACH regions. With a deep understanding of the DACH economy, we facilitate successful placements within global management teams across corporate headquarters and entities abroad.

Our client is a globally recognized manufacturer of premium industrial technologies and engineered solutions, supporting customers across a wide range of critical industries worldwide. With a long-standing reputation for quality, innovation, and operational excellence, the company has established a strong market presence and continues to invest in sustainable growth across Australia and New Zealand. 

As Managing Director ANZ (m/f/d), you will assume full commercial responsibility for the region and play a pivotal role in shaping its future development. Working closely with regional and global stakeholders, you will lead and further develop an established sales organization. This role requires a true hands-on leader with an entrepreneurial mindset, a playing manager who combines strategic vision with a strong willingness to lead from the front. Beyond managing the business, you will actively drive new market development, build and strengthen customer relationships, and personally communicate the company's value proposition to key clients. By leading through example, you will inspire and develop your sales team while identifying and capitalizing on new business opportunities. As the Head of a lean regional organization, you will thrive in an environment that demands both strategic leadership and operational involvement. This role offers a high degree of autonomy, strategic influence, and the opportunity to contribute to the long-term success of a globally respected organization.

Your duties and responsibilities will include:

• Develop and execute the sales strategy for Australia and New Zealand in alignment with global business objectives and growth ambitions
• Lead, coach, and further develop a high-performing sales organization while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence
• Encourage, empower, and develop the team while supporting talent development and succession planning to ensure long-term organizational success
• Drive sustainable revenue growth and increase market share through strategic business development and a strong direct sales approach
• Maintain an active customer-facing presence and support key commercial activities through a hands-on leadership style and deep understanding of local market dynamics
• Promote a consultative and value-driven solution-selling approach, ensuring customers benefit from tailored and technically sound solutions
• Identify and capitalize on growth opportunities across key industries, including Food & Beverage, Petrochemical, Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Life Sciences, Energy, and other process industries
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with key accounts, consultants, EPCs, and strategic stakeholders across the region
• Contribute to regional and global strategic initiatives, supporting organizational development and long-term business expansion
• Lead complex commercial negotiations and effectively manage challenging situations to maintain strong and sustainable customer partnerships
• Ensure sales excellence through structured pipeline management, forecasting, budgeting, and performance monitoring
• Monitor market trends, customer requirements, and competitive developments to identify opportunities and maintain a strong market position
• Represent the company at customer meetings, industry events, and conferences throughout Australia and New Zealand
• Act as the key liaison to the headquarters and executive management, ensuring close collaboration with the global leadership team and the production hub to align regional growth initiatives with the company's long-term strategic objectives

To be successful in this role, you should have the following skills and experiences:

• Degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related discipline
• Proven track record in industrial B2B sales within process technologies, process equipment, flow control, thermal solutions, or related industries
• Extensive leadership experience with the ability to inspire, encourage, and develop high-performing sales organizations in a dynamic environment
• Strong strategic mindset combined with a hands-on and entrepreneurial approach
• Demonstrated success in driving business growth and increasing market penetration
• Deep understanding of local market dynamics and a passion for being actively involved in commercial activities and customer engagement
• Experience with solution selling and consultative sales approaches in complex technical environments
• Strong stakeholder management, negotiation, and conflict resolution capabilities
• Passion for developing people and building high-performing teams with a strong focus on long-term organizational success
• Experience serving customers in industries such as Food & Beverage, Petrochemical, Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Energy, or comparable process industries
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage with stakeholders at all organizational levels
• Willingness to travel regularly within Australia and New Zealand