Chief Executive Officer
Technical Solutions & Services
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Technical Solutions & Services Industry
LOCATION: Bucharest, Romania
THE COMPANY: Our client is a well-established international group operating in a B2B distribution and service industry, with a strong presence across multiple markets. As part of its ambitious growth and restructuring efforts, the company is seeking a dynamic and results-driven Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead its Romanian operations.
This is a unique leadership opportunity to drive turnaround efforts, strengthen market position, and implement a sustainable business strategy in a competitive sector. Therefor, the successful candidate will be a key driver of change, responsible for steering the business towards profitability, optimizing operations, and reinforcing the company’s position as a market leader.
THE ROLE: The CEO will have full P&L responsibility and will lead the company through a business transformation process, focusing on operational efficiency, commercial excellence, and financial performance improvement.
Reporting to the Group Executive Board, the successful candidate will lead the business through a turnaround phase, implementing strategic initiatives to drive growth, increase profitability, and optimize costs.
This position requires a leader who can restructure and optimize business processes, engage with key stakeholders, and position the company for long-term success.
Main Responsibilities:
- Lead and execute the company’s business transformation and turnaround strategy to restore profitability.
- Oversee the entire operation, ensuring sustainable growth and financial efficiency.
- Drive commercial and sales strategies to regain market competitiveness.
- Optimize operational processes, enhance cost-efficiency, and improve profitability.
- Lead and inspire a high-performing management team, fostering a culture of accountability and performance.
- Ensure stakeholder alignment, managing expectations across corporate leadership, investors, and business partners.
- Implement best practices in process efficiency, financial management, and organizational development.
THE CANDIDATE:
We are seeking an experienced CEO or General Manager with a strong track record in turnaround management and strategic business transformation.
What are we looking for:
- Proven P&L experience in a complex B2B-driven industry such as industrial equipment, automotive, machinery distribution, or financial services (leasing, banking, commercial finance related to B2B asset purchases).
- Track record of successfully leading a business turnaround, including restructuring and cost optimization with proven expertise in leading companies through business recovery, restructuring, and commercial repositioning.
- A solid understanding of the Romanian and CEE markets, with strong commercial acumen and experience managing dealer networks, service operations, or financial structuring.
- Exceptional stakeholder management and negotiation skills, particularly in supplier and financing partnerships.
- A hands-on leadership approach, capable of driving operational changes and fostering a performance-driven culture.
- Fluency in English is required; Romanian language at least conversational level, knowledge of another regional language is an advantage.
Competencies:
- Leadership and Team Management: The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership skills, fostering a positive work environment, ensuring high service delivery, and effectively managing change. A collaborative mindset is essential, working across internal teams and the broader Group.
- Strategic and Communication Skills: A strategic thinker with strong communication abilities, capable of fostering cross-regional collaboration and maintaining relationships that drive organizational growth.
- Cultural and Stakeholder Sensitivity: Ability to navigate diverse cultural, political, and socio-economic landscapes, while effectively engaging with multiple stakeholders.
- Organizational and Problem-Solving Skills: Strong expertise in organizational planning, financial management, and problem-solving, with the resilience to overcome challenges and achieve results.
- Language and Relocation Requirements: Candidates must have advanced English proficiency, at least conversational Romanian, and be willing to live and work in Romania on a permanent basis.
ATTRACTIVE ASPECTS:
This is a unique opportunity to take the helm of a business at a pivotal moment and lead a significant transformation effort. The role provides:
- High-impact leadership opportunity: Lead a turnaround project with direct influence on the company’s long-term success.
- Strategic autonomy: Work closely with the Group’s executive board while shaping the Romanian entity’s future.
Competitive executive package: Attractive compensation, including performance-based incentives
APPLICATION PROCESS:
If this role is interesting for you please apply by submitting your updated CV.
Candidates whose backgrounds align closely with the role will be invited to participate in comprehensive interviews to evaluate fit, motivation, and alignment with the role’s requirements.
If this opportunity does not interest you but you know someone who would be good fit, feel free to share this ad with them.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those under consideration for the role will be contacted for further discussions.
Pendl & Piswanger offers HR and management advisory services in the last 40 years in CEE. As members of InterSearch, a worldwide executive search firm with more than 100 offices in 50 countries, we are amongst the top search firms globally and operate across all major industry sectors. We are experienced, innovative, and totally committed to our clients who gain competitive advantage by hiring great people. For more information, please visit www.ro.intersearch.org.