Synertrade Country Manager Case Study

Synertrade engaged Oakstone International on a retained basis to appoint its first Country Manager in Italy, requiring deep procurement expertise and proven experience building sales teams from scratch. Through an intensive, locally focused search, including in-person interviews in Milan, Oakstone delivered a highly qualified shortlist and completed the hire within one month, securing a seasoned supply chain software leader capable of establishing and scaling Synertrade’s Italian presence.

Company Background

Search Background

The Search

The Result

The Successful Candidate’s Background

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Company Background

Synertrade is a leading global provider of eProcurement software solutions that optimise purchasing and finance processes.

• HQ, New York USA

• Private Equity funded

• Founded by Eberhard Aust in 1999

Search Background

• Synertrade were looking to hire a country manager in Italy, to build momentum on the traction they have already created.

• The role required someone who had extensive supply chain and procurement experience.

• This role was for the first person on the ground in Italy and would need someone who had previously experience building sales teams from the ground up.

• Retained search agreement

The Search

• Oakstone conducted an extensive search to identify an initial shortlist of people.

• Oakstone flew to Milan to conduct the first stage interviews in person to streamline the process and save the hiring manager time.

• Oakstone then presented a highly qualified shortlist.

The Result

• 1 month search to hire time

• Streamlined process

Successful Candidates Background

• The successful candidate had a background in supply chain and procurement, previously working in a smaller Italian software company as a Sales Manager and Managing Director.

• The successful candidate worked his way up in the company to VP Global Sales and Marketing.

• Oakstone have a strong continued relationship with the successful candidate.

• Why is regional market expertise essential for procurement software leadership hires?

  Procurement and supply chain software markets are complex and relationship-driven. Leaders need deep knowledge of regional buyer behaviour, enterprise sales cycles, and industry-specific procurement processes to succeed.

• Why do retained searches work well for international expansion roles?

  Retained search ensures a dedicated, proactive approach for critical hires such as first Country Managers. It enables deep local market mapping, targeted outreach, confidentiality, and careful cultural and leadership assessment.

• How can Oakstone support procurement SaaS companies expanding across Europe?

  Oakstone International specialises in executive and GTM leadership search across procurement, supply chain, and enterprise SaaS. We support organisations hiring first-in-country leaders, building regional teams, and scaling GTM teams.

I’m Hiring

Oakstone International are a specialised SaaS executive search and recruitment firm assisting companies globally. If you are looking for executive search assistance or would like to speak to a Divisional Director about future hiring assistance in EMEA, the US or APAC, contact Oakstone.

I’m Job Seeking

As a SaaS client-driven firm, we work exclusively for clients to find people with a specific set of skills and experience.

However, if you would like to submit your CV, it will be passed on to our divisional directors, and we will consider you for future roles that are appropriate to your background and goals.