International Director Executive Search – Agribusiness
Phelps Sabio Executive Search was retained by a global leader in agriculture, fertilizers, and seeds to identify and appoint an International Director to lead a strategically important region spanning 10 countries.
The position represented a critical leadership appointment for a rapidly growing business with ambitious expansion plans and significant investment in new market development. Reporting into senior leadership, the successful candidate would be responsible for a regional turnover of approximately €600 million, with a five-year growth strategy targeting revenues in excess of €1 billion.
The Challenge
The client required an executive capable of operating at both a strategic and operational level. The role demanded a commercially minded leader who could drive organic growth while also identifying and executing acquisition opportunities across multiple international markets.
In addition to managing a complex regional business, the successful candidate would lead a team of Country Managers and provide strategic direction across sales, market development, and business expansion initiatives.
The search required a leader with:
Significant international leadership experience
Strong commercial and P&L management expertise
Experience managing multi-country operations
The ability to drive growth through both organic expansion and M&A
A hands-on leadership style combined with strategic vision
Experience operating within a large, matrixed international organization
Our Approach
Phelps Sabio conducted a targeted international search focused on senior commercial leaders within the agriculture, agribusiness, crop protection, fertilizers, seeds, and adjacent industrial sectors.
Our assessment process evaluated candidates against a combination of commercial performance, leadership capability, international exposure, and long-term growth potential. Particular attention was given to executives who had successfully scaled regional businesses and managed diverse teams across multiple geographies.
Through direct engagement with passive candidates and extensive market mapping, we identified a select group of highly qualified executives with proven experience delivering growth in complex international environments.
Outcome
The search resulted in the successful appointment of an International Director capable of leading a 10-country region, managing a substantial revenue portfolio, and supporting the client's ambitious growth objectives.
The successful executive brought a strong combination of commercial leadership, international market expertise, and strategic vision, positioning the organization for continued expansion across existing and emerging markets.
Sector Expertise
Phelps Sabio Executive Search supports agribusiness, agriculture, life sciences, and industrial organizations in identifying transformational leaders across commercial, operational, and executive leadership functions throughout Europe and North America.