Sales Director

Plastic Executive Recruiters; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Plastic Executive Recruiters is seeking a Director of Strategic Sales for a leading food packaging manufacturer. The role leads commercial growth initiatives with major food manufacturers, CPGs, and national brand owners across North America.

The ideal candidate will develop executive relationships, expand market share, and drive long-term revenue growth by navigating complex sales cycles and aligning with regulatory packaging environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Business, Marketing, Packaging, Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive sales leadership in food packaging or related manufacturing.
• Track record managing strategic relationships with major food manufacturers and CPGs.
• Experience leading multi-site, multi-stakeholder sales opportunities.
• Strong business development, account management, negotiation, and leadership.
• Experience with packaging specifications and commercialization programs.
• Willingness to travel 40–60%.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic sales plans to expand within food manufacturing and CPG sectors.
• Build executive-level relationships with major food processors and brands.
• Identify, qualify, and secure new opportunities while growing existing accounts.
• Lead complex sales processes with technical, operational, procurement, quality, and exec stakeholders.
• Drive negotiations, pricing strategies, contract management, forecasting, and revenue planning.
• Collaborate with operations, product development, and customer service to support growth.
• Partner with customers on packaging optimization and new product development projects.
• Monitor market trends, regulatory developments, and competitive activity impacting packaging.
• Provide strategic input to senior leadership on opportunities and growth initiatives.
• Maintain accurate forecasts, pipeline visibility, and account plans.

Skills

Strategic sales leadership

Executive relationship management

Negotiation

Forecasting & revenue planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Salesforce

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 |