Business Market Manager

Job description

**About Waterworks** When you see the world’s most inspiring homes and hotels, you invariably find Waterworks in the mix. For over 40 years, our designs have elevated the bath and kitchen experience, with exquisite fittings, fixtures, hardware and more. We strive to be participants in exceptional design moments not just through our products, but through how our company name shows up in the world at large. **What We Provide** What gives us an edge over our competitors is our people. We work in a highly collaborative, creative environment that values each team member’s contributions to our mission. We empower our associates with extensive training, career growth opportunities, competitive salaries, bonus potential and a comprehensive benefits package including medical/dental/vision, and 401k retirement savings plan. We offer a generous PTO program (vacation, personal and sick time) with additional perks like some summer half days and a volunteer day. The company observes at least 8 federal holidays throughout the calendar year plus a floating holiday that associates can use at their discretion. **The Role** This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of the Waterworks brand in Italy. As Business Market Manager, you will play a key role in driving Waterworks' long-term international growth strategy, establishing our presence within one of the world's most influential design capitals. Based in Milan and reporting directly to the Managing Director, Europe & Middle East, you will serve as the brand's ambassador in Italy, building meaningful relationships across the architecture, interior design, luxury residential, and commercial development communities. In this highly visible and entrepreneurial role, you will lead the development of Waterworks' market presence from the ground up, creating a network of design and trade partners, cultivating new business opportunities, and elevating brand awareness across Italy. Your success will lay the foundation for the opening of Waterworks' Milan showroom in 2028 and the continued growth of the business throughout the region. This role is sales, business development, market leadership, and operationally focused. You will work closely with international stakeholders to execute a growth strategy that not only delivers results but also strengthens Waterworks' position as the world's most aspirational luxury bath and kitchen brand. As the business expands, you will have the opportunity to evolve your role into a broader leadership position, helping shape the future showroom operation and building a high-performing local team to support Waterworks' continued success in Italy. This position is based in Milan, Italy. Candidates must have the legal right to work in Italy. Professional-level proficiency in both Italian and English is essential to successfully perform the responsibilities of the role. ### Responsibilities - Identify key specifiers and decision-makers within the market and develop strategic plans to win business while driving sustainable market growth - Monitor changes to regulatory, compliance, and industry requirements, communicating impacts and recommendations to internal stakeholders to ensure operational readiness and market compliance. - Conduct business development activities, including active participation in industry associations, trade organizations, and regional events to generate opportunities and strengthen market presence. - Maintain accurate and up-to-date customer, project, and market data within the CRM system to support forecasting, pipeline management, and business decision-making. - Develop and execute integrated market strategies in partnership with the Residential Sales Leader to drive revenue growth, operational effectiveness, and brand awareness. - Build collaborative relationships across internal and external stakeholder groups to ensure seamless project execution, exceptional client experiences, and achievement of business objectives. - Create and execute market prospecting plans while establishing disciplined pipeline management processes to track opportunities, project milestones, and business performance. - Partner with local Sales Consultants to drive sales activity, coordinate project execution, and achieve or exceed residential market objectives. - Execute sales and account management activities while ensuring alignment with operational processes to meet or exceed market growth goals. - Cultivate and expand relationships within the Architecture and Design community across Italy, with a focus on Milan, driving both residential and commercial project opportunities from specification through completion. - Deliver exceptional client service throughout the customer lifecycle, strengthening long-term relationships, identifying new opportunities, and ensuring successful project outcomes. - Collaborate with Sales Leadership to implement organizational growth strategies and strengthen the Waterworks brand position as the leader in luxury bath and kitchen solutions. - Support operational initiatives and business processes that uphold Waterworks' brand standards, customer experience expectations, and organizational objectives. - Develop foundational plumbing and technical product expertise to support project troubleshooting, issue resolution, and client consultation. - Partner with Finance and Accounting teams to monitor account health, manage outstanding receivables, and support effective business operations. - Manage post-sale activities, coordinating with clients and internal teams to ensure project success, customer satisfaction, repeat business, and long-term account retention. - Develop and deliver professional sales, marketing, and product presentations while ensuring consistency with company branding and strategic messaging. - Serve as a brand ambassador by modeling Waterworks' values and fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and operational excellence. - Perform additional responsibilities and special projects as assigned to support business growth and operational objectives. ### Requirements - Must be able to read, write and speak fluent Italian and English, and be able to correctly translate verbal and written content from one language to the other - Intimate knowledge of and existing relationships with high end industry clients in covered market - Minimum of 5 years’ experience managing experienced sales teams within high end luxury brand environment - Fearless, sales centric approach to business and client relationships; networker and relationship builder - Innovative and strategic thinking - Ability to take charge, drive for results and make sound decisions quickly - Proven leader of people with experience successfully leading and developing experienced sales team; adept at communicating meaningful and actionable feedback - Ability to have honest and timely performance conversations with team members with professionalism and respect - Exceptional time management skills with ability to multi-task, and thrive in a busy and dynamic environment - Ability to inspire trust, integrity and professionalism - Well connected within the luxury design trade in the covered market - Proficient in all Microsoft Office applications: working knowledge and experience with CRM systems - Plumbing/Tile/Surfaces/Construction background/exposure a plus - This role requires travel up to 50% in Italy, US, and other European locations as needed