Ilaria Leonardi

Sales Region EMEA / Chemical Intermediates for APIs and more

Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

About

I thrive where high-stakes business development meets extreme regulatory complexity. Throughout my career, I have commercialized advanced intermediates and complex fine chemicals across international markets. I am not just selling products; I am building long-term, multi-million-euro strategic partnerships within safety-critical industries where compliance is non-negotiable. Whether navigating the rigorous cGMP/DMF pathways for Pharma APIs or the strict procurement and qualification frameworks required for Defense-adjacent tactical systems, I bring the strategic grit and entrepreneurial mindset needed to close long-cycle B2B contract manufacturing (CDMO) agreements. 💥 High-Energy Execution: I build a performance-driven culture, motivating multicultural teams and global distributor networks to smash commercial objectives. 🌍 True Global Footprint: I negotiate fluently in Italian, German, English, French, and Spanish (with additional proficiency in Portuguese, Mandarin, Arabic, and Turkish). 📈 End-to-End Deal Making: Expert in analyzing market data, translating technical specifications, managing complex RFQs, and influencing cross-functional stakeholder

Experience

  • Sales Manager and NBD at www.minascent.com
    Mar 2025 - Present · 1 yr 5 mos

  • Senor Sales Manager Europe at Biesterfeld Spezialchemie
    Aug 2024 - Feb 2025 · 7 mos

  • Regional Sales Manager EMEA at Amino-Chem - Intertie GmbH Germany
    Apr 2021 - Jul 2024 · 3 yrs 4 mos

    Developing and executing the global strategy (defined with the Chinese Production HQ) to achieve sales targets and expand the customers’ base Reporting forecast, sales and volumes achieved to the Chinese HQ on monthly base and suggesting proactively corrective actions Taking care of local and regional sales, promotions, trade fairs and campaigns Building and maintaining long-lasting, strong relationships with customers while partnering with them to better understand their business objectives and needs Understand industry-specific trends and landscapes Identifying emerging markets to find new sales opportunities, making data-informed decisions to drive performance and resource allocation Overseeing and directing performance of the sales team Handling and resolving customer complaints regarding a product or service Serving as the face of the organization to internal and external partners

  • AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH (9 yrs 4 mos)
    • Regional Sales Manager LATAM
      Oct 2017 - Apr 2021 · 3 yrs 7 mos

      • Responsible for developing business and customer relationship in Mexico, Brazil and Italy, coordinating steering the local distribution partners in the plastic sector; • New acquisition of customers – cold calling - (OEMs, T1 andT2) in the region; • Market Analysis, participation to congresses and workshops providing market and customers feedback; • Steering business plans and business negotiations, maximizing results and defining long-term strategic goals;

    • Key Account Manager Automotive and E&E
      Jan 2012 - Sep 2017 · 5 yrs 9 mos

      • New customer acquisition (OEMs, T1 andT2) in Germany, France, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, Turkey and Tunis; • building and maintaining key customer relationships, presenting innovative solutions maximizing sales targets; • Steering business negotiations;

  • Sales Manager Southern Europe at Schüco International KG
    Mar 2009 - Dec 2011 · 2 yrs 10 mos

    • Developed operational business plans for the subsidiaries, based on corporate directions: UPVC Profiles; • Managed sales defining and negotiating prices with subsidiaries and dealers in South Europe and Turkey; • Analyzed, researching and developing new markets: Italy, Middle East, Iran and India; • Steered projects of capacity increase in Turkey;