Riccardo Cerno

General Manager and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in business management, Operations, and commercial development, gained across SMEs, entrepreneurial ventures, and multinational groups in the industrial B2B and FMCG sectors. Proven ability to take direct P&L responsibility, set strategic priorities, and improve revenue, margins, and operational efficiency. Solid professional track record spanning commercial leadership, plant and operations management, entrepreneurship, and overall business leadership, with experience coordinating Sales, Procurement, Production, Logistics, Quality, and Finance & Administration.

Accustomed to working closely with company owners, Boards of Directors, and key stakeholders, translating business objectives into practical and sustainable action plans. Direct experience in founding, scaling, and subsequently selling a company to a NYSE-listed U.S. multinational. Pragmatic, execution-focused leadership style, with a strong emphasis on people development, process structuring, and long-term profitable growth.

Commercial Director at SEA FISH S.p.A. (2025-02 – Present)

Food Industry – Frozen Seafood/Poultry – B2B

• Define and execute the commercial strategy across large-scale retail, Ho.Re.Ca., retail, and export channels, with responsibility for revenue and margin growth
• Lead key negotiations with strategic customers and international suppliers, balancing offer competitiveness, supply continuity, and profitability
• Coordinate with Procurement, Operations, Supply Chain, and Quality to align commercial priorities, product availability, service levels, and financial sustainability
• Analyze performance by customer, product, and channel to support pricing, portfolio, forecasting, and business development decisions
• Identify new market opportunities and develop products and go-to-market proposals aligned with customer needs
• Strengthen the company's position with major large-scale retail customers through a structured commercial approach focused on long-term value creation

CEO at IBERIA S.r.l. (2019-03 – 2025-02)

Food Industry – Frozen Seafood Processing & Production – B2B

• Held overall responsibility for business management and the P&L, reporting directly to the Board of Directors
• Set strategic priorities and development plans, ensuring alignment between commercial growth, operational capacity, and financial sustainability
• Led an organization of approximately 50 people and coordinated Sales, Procurement, Production, Logistics, Quality, Finance & Administration
• Increased EBITDA through business growth, pricing discipline, cost control, and improved operational efficiency
• Introduced a more structured management model based on budgeting, forecasting, KPIs, and performance monitoring
• Managed relationships with company owners, the Board of Directors, strategic customers, suppliers, and partners, supporting operational and development decisions
• Improved cross-functional collaboration and service levels through stronger integration across Sales, Operations, and Supply Chain
• Launched new product lines and commercial initiatives, assessing investment requirements, margins, and organizational impact
• Developed people and empowered functional leaders, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement

Operations Manager at CLOSE2YOU S.r.l. (2018-03 – 2019-03)

Logistics – Supply Chain

• Held responsibility for managing and coordinating multi-site logistics operations, ensuring business continuity and compliance with agreed service levels
• Monitored key operational and financial KPIs, defining and implementing corrective actions
• Reduced logistics costs through process review, activity standardization, and improved resource utilization
• Improved service reliability and operational continuity by strengthening coordination across sites, internal functions, and customers
• Partnered with senior management and Sales to align operational capacity, business priorities, and sustainable service levels

General Manager & Co-Founder at MYPERSONALTASTER S.r.l. (2014-05 – 2018-02)

Food & Beverage – E-commerce – Catering

• Co-founded and developed a B2C business in catering, events, and e-commerce of Italian food specialties
• Defined the business model and coordinated commercial, operational, and administrative activities
• Prepared budgets and monitored costs, revenue, and the financial sustainability of the venture
• Defined sales and marketing strategies for customer acquisition and retention
• Managed relationships with customers, suppliers, and partners, ensuring alignment between service quality, commercial proposition, and profitability
• Developed processes and tools to support business growth and scalability

Plant Manager at Quaker Chemical Corp. (2012-07 – 2014-04)

• Held overall responsibility for managing the production site following the acquisition of NPCOIL DEXTER
• Coordinated Production, Logistics, Maintenance, Quality, and Safety, ensuring operational continuity and compliance with group standards
• Managed the site's operational and organizational integration into the multinational group, aligning procedures, reporting, and local priorities
• Improved production efficiency and reduced fixed costs through process and organizational redesign
• Partnered with Sales and Technical functions to align production capacity, customer requirements, and service quality
• Managed relationships with U.S. headquarters, ensuring alignment between local operations and global strategy
• Oversaw quality, safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance across the site

General Manager & Co-Founder at NPCOIL DEXTER S.r.l. (2006-01 – 2012-06)

• Co-founded and developed the company, with overall responsibility for commercial, industrial, operational, and financial activities
• Held direct responsibility for the P&L, budgeting, forecasting, and business profitability
• Defined and implemented the industrial plan, ensuring alignment between commercial development, production capacity, and financial sustainability
• Opened and developed new markets across Eastern Europe and Asia through customer acquisition and commercial partnerships
• Achieved annual revenue growth exceeding 20% through international expansion, portfolio development, and a stronger market offering
• Aligned commercial and operational priorities, balancing growth, service levels, costs, and margins
• Played a key role in the successful sale of the company to Quaker Chemical Corp. and the subsequent operational and organizational integration into the multinational group

Sales & Marketing Director at BASF Chemetall Group (1995-04 – 2005-12)

• Led the Performance Products Division for Southern Europe, with responsibility for commercial strategy, sales targets, margins, and market development
• Coordinated sales and marketing activities across assigned markets, ensuring alignment between international strategy and local market requirements
• Led and developed sales teams, key accounts, distributors, and strategic partners in industrial B2B markets
• Defined growth plans, business development initiatives, and new solution launches in collaboration with Marketing, Technical functions, and Operations
• Held direct assignments in the United States, on the East Coast with a base in New Jersey, and at the European headquarters in Germany
• Managed international projects and complex negotiations with customers and stakeholders across Europe and the United States
• Contributed to post-acquisition integration processes, supporting commercial, organizational, and operational alignment across the companies involved

Degree in Political Science – University of Milan

Program in Business Management – CESMA

Program in SME Management – Gulf University