Managing Director
int-0502

Intellectica is recruiting on behalf of its client, a long‑established international trading group active across multiple global markets. The company operates large‑scale import, export, storage, blending, and distribution activities, supported by a strong infrastructure network spanning several continents. The organization is entering a new phase of regional growth and establishing its Greek operations from the ground up, following the recent acquisition of a large‑scale storage and blending facility in Northern Greece (Based in Thessaloniki). To lead this greenfield setup and drive sustainable growth, the company is seeking a Managing Director to head its Greek entity, with full responsibility for commercial performance, operational excellence, and local representation, while working in close alignment with global headquarters.

Key activities and responsibilities of this role include:

• Lead the Greek business with full P&L ownership, ensuring delivery of commercial targets, operational performance, and long‑term strategic objectives in coordination with Group leadership
• Build and scale the Greek entity from scratch, establishing robust structures, processes, governance, and reporting frameworks aligned with headquarters
• Drive commercial growth across domestic and regional markets, overseeing trading activities in fertilizers and raw materials, transit trade, and collaboration with international trading and product management teams
• Develop and strengthen long‑term relationships with suppliers, customers, authorities, port operators, and key industry stakeholders to reinforce the company’s market presence
• Oversee the end‑to‑end operations of the newly acquired storage and blending facility, ensuring efficient warehousing, blending, bagging, inventory management, and distribution
• Develop and expand third‑party commercial services, including storage, blending, and value‑added processing solutions for domestic and regional customers
• Supervise all import and export activities, ensuring effective coordination with customs, port authorities, logistics partners, and compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements
• Optimize operational processes to enhance safety, productivity, cost efficiency, and service quality, fostering a strong operational discipline and performance culture
• Ensure strict adherence to regulatory, legal, contractual, and internal compliance requirements, working closely with Group Legal, Compliance, and Risk teams
• Monitor financial performance, credit exposure, payment cycles, and risk indicators, ensuring transparent reporting and alignment with Group financial and credit policies
• Recruit, lead, and develop the local team, fostering a culture of accountability, safety, professionalism, and ethical conduct
• Conduct ongoing market intelligence and analysis, providing insights on competition, pricing dynamics, regulatory developments, and industry trends
• Act as the legal representative of the Greek entity, ensuring full compliance with national regulatory requirements and corporate governance standards
• Support the development of commercial materials, market analyses, and client proposals in close collaboration with headquarters

Professional experience & qualifications of a successful candidate:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Agronomy, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related field; MBA or equivalent postgraduate degree preferred
• 10+ years of senior leadership experience in trading, distribution, industrial operations, supply‑chain‑intensive sectors, or general management roles
• Demonstrated experience managing P&L, financial performance, credit risk, and commercial decision‑making
• Strong track record overseeing logistics, warehousing, import/export operations, and facility‑based industrial or storage activities
• Experience operating within multinational organizations and matrix structures, with direct exposure to HQ governance and global collaboration
• Solid understanding of compliance frameworks, contractual requirements, regulatory environments, and safe operational practices
• Ability to balance structured corporate governance with an entrepreneurial, hands‑on operating approach
• Fluency in Greek and English
• Willingness to be based in Thessaloniki (relocation support available)

Core competencies of a successful candidate:

• Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong sense of ownership, integrity, and accountability
• Strong operational discipline with a data‑driven, KPI‑focused approach to managing complex operations
• Strategic thinker with hands‑on execution capability and willingness to dive into detail when required
• High emotional intelligence, resilience under pressure, and ability to operate in compliance‑heavy, high‑liability environments
• Excellent negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder‑management skills (Board, shareholders, Group leadership, authorities, clients, suppliers)
• Proven ability to build, lead, and develop strong local teams while balancing specialist expertise with broader governance needs
• Collaborative, trust‑building leadership style, capable of inspiring confidence during change and transition
• Pragmatic decision‑maker, balancing shareholder expectations with on‑the‑ground operational realities and customer needs