Sales Director

Plastic Executive Recruiters; United States; On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Plastic Executive Recruiters seeks a Director of Strategic Sales for the food packaging sector to lead growth initiatives with large food manufacturers and CPG brands. Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Sales, this role focuses on strategic customer relationships, expanding market share across North America, and guiding long-term revenue strategy.

The candidate will navigate complex procurement cycles, collaborate with cross-functional teams on packaging innovations, and advance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Packaging, Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive sales leadership in food packaging or related manufacturing.
• Proven track record with major food manufacturers and CPGs.
• Experience leading complex, multi-site sales initiatives.
• Willingness to travel 40-60%.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic sales plans for food manufacturing and CPG sectors.
• Build executive-level relationships with major food processors and brand owners.
• Identify, qualify, and secure new enterprise opportunities and grow accounts.
• Lead complex, multi-stakeholder sales processes across functions.
• Drive pricing, contract management, forecasting, and revenue planning.
• Collaborate with operations, product development, and customer service teams.
• Advise senior leadership on market opportunities and growth initiatives.
• Maintain forecast accuracy, pipeline visibility, and key account plans.

Skills

Sales leadership

Strategic selling

Executive relationships

Forecasting

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Director of Strategic Sales - Food Packaging

A growing manufacturer of engineered food packaging materials is seeking a Director of Strategic Sales to lead commercial growth initiatives with major food manufacturers, consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies, and national brand owners.

Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President of Sales, this leadership role will be responsible for developing strategic customer relationships, expanding market share, identifying new business opportunities, and driving long-term revenue growth across North America. The ideal candidate brings a strong track record of selling into large food and CPG organizations, navigating complex sales cycles, and building executive-level relationships within highly regulated food packaging environments.

This position offers the opportunity to influence commercial strategy, lead key customer initiatives, and serve as a trusted partner to some of the most recognized brands in the food industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic sales plans focused on expanding business within the food manufacturing and CPG sectors
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with major food processors, food manufacturers, and consumer packaged goods companies
• Identify, qualify, and secure new business opportunities while growing existing enterprise accounts
• Lead complex sales processes involving technical, operational, procurement, quality, and executive stakeholders
• Drive commercial negotiations, pricing strategies, contract management, forecasting, and revenue planning
• Collaborate closely with operations, technical, product development, and customer service teams to support customer growth initiatives
• Partner with customers on packaging optimization, sustainability initiatives, material transitions, and new product development projects
• Monitor market trends, competitive activity, consumer preferences, and regulatory developments impacting food packaging
• Provide strategic input to senior leadership regarding market opportunities, customer needs, and growth initiatives
• Maintain accurate sales forecasts, pipeline visibility, and account plans for key customers

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Packaging, Engineering, or a related field preferred
• 7+ years of progressive sales leadership experience within food packaging, packaging materials, or related manufacturing environments
• Demonstrated success managing strategic relationships with major food manufacturers and consumer packaged goods companies
• Experience leading complex, multi-site, multi-stakeholder sales opportunities
• Strong business development, account management, negotiation, and commercial leadership skills
• Experience working with food packaging specifications, packaging development processes, and commercialization programs
• Ability to travel approximately 40-60%

Keywords

Food Packaging | Packaging Sales | Plastic Packaging | Enterprise Sales | CPG | Packaging | PET | Polypropylene| PP | PS | Polystyrene | Sustainable Materials | Plastic Extrusion | Packaging Solutions | Rigid Packaging | Sustainable Packaging | Converting | Printing | Rigid Packaging | Packaging Validation | Packaging Specifications | Food Safety Compliance | GMP Compliance | FDA | GFSI | ISO 22000 | SQF | GMPs | Food Manufacturing | Thermoforming | Flexible Packaging |