[Hiring] Food & Beverage Partnerships Manager @SiGMA Group

Role Description

We are looking for a highly connected, proactive, and commercially minded professional who knows the Italian food and beverage market and can open doors to relevant brands, distributors, and suppliers. The main purpose of the role is to identify, approach, and develop relationships with Italian F&B suppliers and brands, with a particular focus on Rome and the surrounding market, and bring new suppliers and activations to SiGMA events.

You will act as a bridge between SiGMA and the local Italian F&B ecosystem, using your existing network and market knowledge to identify opportunities that we may currently be missing due to language and local market barriers.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and build a pipeline of relevant Italian food and beverage brands, distributors, suppliers, and potential partners.
• Use existing industry connections to introduce SiGMA to key decision-makers and new business opportunities.
• Develop and maintain long-term relationships with Italian suppliers and brands.
• Identify opportunities for suppliers to participate in SiGMA events through activations, partnerships, product placements, catering, sponsorships, and other commercial opportunities.
• Take ownership of supplier acquisition and follow the process from initial introduction through to confirmed activation or partnership.
• Build a strong understanding of the Italian F&B supplier landscape, particularly in Rome and the surrounding region.
• Attend relevant trade shows, industry events, and networking opportunities as a representative of SiGMA.
• Work closely with the Events, Logistics, Commercial, and Partnerships teams to turn supplier relationships into successful event activations.
• Negotiate and coordinate commercial arrangements with suppliers where required.
• Maintain an up-to-date database and pipeline of potential and active suppliers.
• Continuously identify new brands and market opportunities that could add value to SiGMA events.
• Provide regular updates on supplier pipeline, opportunities, and market developments.

Qualifications

• Native or fluent Italian and strong English communication skills.
• Existing network within the Italian food & beverage, hospitality, distribution, retail, or related industries.
• Strong knowledge of food and beverage brands, distributors, and suppliers in Italy.
• Proven experience in business development, partnerships, sales, supplier management, account management, events, or a similar commercial role.
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to independently identify opportunities and turn contacts into business relationships.
• Commercially driven, proactive, and comfortable with targets and business development.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Willingness to travel and attend relevant industry and trade events.
• Comfortable working independently while collaborating with international teams.

Nice to Have

• Experience working with food distributors, hospitality groups, FMCG companies, or F&B brands.
• Experience in event partnerships, sponsorships, activations, or supplier acquisition.
• Strong understanding of the Italian food and hospitality market.
• Experience working in an international or fast-growing company.