Sales Leader – Detroit Area

Gilman Partners; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Akers Packaging is seeking a Sales Leader to optimize the sales experience and grow a regional footprint. You will report to the General Manager, oversee a team of 8–10 sales representatives, and also sell to clients.

The role emphasizes coaching, planning market strategies, retaining customers, and delivering profitability. Demonstrated success in B2B packaging sales, pricing, and margin management is required, with strong leadership and ERP/CRM experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of technical sales in corrugated packaging preferred.
• 3+ years of experience managing a team.
• Proven track record in B2B sales.
• Knowledge of pricing theory and margin management.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Experience with ERP and CRM systems.

Responsibilities

• Set market sales strategies and goals aligned with corporate objectives.
• Direct promotion of products/services to develop markets and grow share.
• Analyze market needs, pricing, and discount strategies.
• Meet key clients and support reps in negotiations and closings.
• Plan retention and development strategies for customers.
• Direct sales forecasting and performance targets.
• Recruit, train and motivate the sales team.
• Provide pricing insights and competitive analysis.
• Evaluate team performance and drive results.
• Promote the organization in industry associations.

Skills

Team leadership

B2B sales

Strategic selling

Pricing & margins

Market analysis

CRM/ERP experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

ERP

CRM systems

Job description

Salary : based on experience

THE OPPORTUNITY

• Are you looking for an opportunity to optimize your sales experience to grow a region?
• Can you build and mentor a team of sales professionals?
• Do you have an interest in working for an organization with an excellent reputation in its industry and the community?

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Founded in 1963 in Middletown, OH, family-owned Akers Packaging specialized in creating custom packaging and shipping solutions, wooden pallets, and folding cardboard cartons. With customers in the automotive, food and appliance industries, and many others, Akers focused on customer service and speed, providing same- or next-day fulfillment long before Just-in-Time Delivery was a term.

Today, Akers Packaging has 600+ employees across 12 locations in the Midwest and has continued to focus on customer service and relationships over the last 60 years. Equally important to them is developing their people and encouraging them to take ownership of their job, do the right thing for the company, and continue to focus on customer service, both within Akers and with their customers.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

Reporting to the General Manager, the Sales Leader will have oversight of a team of 8-10 sales representatives. The Sales Leader will also sell to clients and prospects while simultaneously coaching the team. The Sales Leader will plan and implement sales and marketing activities to meet company targets for retention, growth, and profitability. The Sales Leader will be responsible for building and growing a high performing sales group to deliver on the corporate sales goals and strategy.

This position also delivers on all day-to-day commitments to their Customers, Company, and People, while reinforcing a culture where team members:

• The answer is yes. Be a solutions provider.
• Help first as a reliable team member.
• Take ownership.
• Do the right thing.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• In alignment with corporate-wide business objectives, set market sales strategies and goals.
• Direct and coordinate promotion of products manufactured, or services performed to develop new markets, increase share of market, and retain and grow competitive position in the industry.
• Analyze market to determine customer needs, price schedules, and discount rates.
• Meet with key new and existing clients and assist sales representatives with maintaining relationships and negotiating and closing deals. Deliver sales presentations in coordination with sales representatives.
• Plan and implement sales and customer retention and development strategies.
• Direct sales forecasting activities and set performance goals accordingly.
• Direct product simplification and standardization to eliminate unprofitable items from sales line.
• Prepare periodic sales report showing sales volume, potential sales, and areas of proposed client base expansion.
• Recruit, manage, train, and motivate your sales team.
• Coach sales team on sales tactics, attend customer meetings with them as appropriate.
• Provide insight to sales team regarding proposal and pricing models.
• Responsible for sales team performance evaluations.
• Promote the organization in industry, manufacturing, or trade associations.
• Monitor and evaluate the activities and products of competition.

IDEAL CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 7+ years of experience in technical sales in the corrugated packaging industry is strongly preferred
• 3+ years of experience managing a team
• Demonstrated track record of success selling within B2B environment
• Proficient knowledge of pricing theory, margin management
• Excellent analytical skills
• Experience with ERP and CRM systems

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

For candidates outside the region, relocation assistance will be provided.