Sales Manager

ASHFORD CONNEX, LLC; Kingsport (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

ASHFORD CONNEX, LLC in Kingsport, TN seeks a Sales Manager to grow its flexible packaging business in the northeast TN area. You will combine relationship-driven consultative sales with technical learning to solve real packaging challenges and guide brands to smarter solutions.

You’ll identify enterprise clients, build trust, manage accounts end-to-end, prepare proposals, and forecast sales—while traveling up to 50% to stay close to customers and stay ahead of market trends.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in sales or technical service (B2B preferred).
• Curiosity: Willingness to learn technical aspects of printing and packaging.
• Results orientation with ability to navigate long sales cycles and close deals.
• Team collaboration across functions to exceed customer expectations.
• Willingness to travel up to 50% (including occasional international travel).

Responsibilities

• Identify and win new enterprise clients across food, beverage, confectionery, pet food, and consumer goods industries.
• Open doors, build trust, and turn opportunities into long-term partnerships.
• Learn and apply technical knowledge of rotogravure printing, substrates, and ink systems.
• Help clients select materials for their packaging needs.
• Communicate performance, quality, and cost advantages of rotogravure printing.
• Position solutions that improve client operations and brands.
• Partner with R&D, prepress, and production to ensure flawless execution.
• Manage accounts end-to-end from first conversation to delivery.
• Prepare quotes, proposals, and RFP responses.
• Forecast and track sales performance.
• Deliver a high-touch, exceptional customer experience.
• Stay ahead of market trends and share insights.

Skills

Sales mindset

People skills

Relationship-driven

Team collaboration

Results orientation

Education

Degree in Business/Packaging Science/Graphic Communications

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Ready to turn relationships into revenue and innovation into impact? Earn commission on sales on top of your annual compensation.

We’re looking for a driven, people-first Sales Manager to help grow flexible packaging business in the northeast TN area. If you thrive in a dynamic, relationship-driven environment and enjoy blending technical learning with consultative sales, this could be your next big move.

In this role, you won’t just sell. You will solve real packaging challenges, guide clients to smarter solutions, and help shape how brands show up on shelves.

What You’ll Do Build & Grow New Business

• Identify and win new enterprise clients across food, beverage, confectionery, pet food, and consumer goods industries
• Open doors, build trust, and turn opportunities into long-term partnerships

Be a Trusted Advisor

• Learn and apply technical knowledge of rotogravure printing, substrates, and ink systems
• Help clients select the right materials (PET, BOPP, PE, specialty papers) for their packaging needs

Sell with Strategy & Value

• Communicate the performance, quality, and cost advantages of rotogravure printing
• Position solutions that make a real difference to your clients’ operations and brand

Collaborate Across Teams

• Partner with R&D, prepress, and production to ensure projects are executed flawlessly
• Help bring packaging concepts to life with precision and quality

Own the Customer Experience

• Manage accounts end-to-end from first conversation to final delivery
• Prepare quotes, proposals, and RFP responses
• Forecast and track sales performance
• Deliver a high-touch, exceptional customer experience

Stay Ahead of the Market

• Keep a pulse on trends like sustainability, barrier films, and pricing strategies
• Bring insights back to strengthen our competitive edge

What You Bring

• Sales mindset + people skills: You’re naturally friendly, persuasive, and relationship-driven
• Experience: 8+ years in sales or technical service (B2B preferred)
• Curiosity: Willingness to learn technical aspects of printing and packaging
• Results orientation: Proven ability (or strong potential) to navigate long sales cycles and close deals
• Team collaboration: You enjoy working cross-functionally to exceed customer expectations
• Education: Degree in Business, Packaging Science, Graphic Communications, or related field (preferred)
• Tech-savvy: Comfortable using CRM systems + Microsoft Office
• Flexibility: Willing to travel up to 50% (including occasional international travel)