Director, Sales - Flexibles

Saige Partners•Chicago, IL

11d•Remote

About The Position

The Director of Sales – Flexible Packaging will build and lead a high-performing sales organization focused on profitable, sustainable growth. The role develops sales talent, strengthens strategic customer relationships, expands market presence, and executes commercial strategies aligned with long-term business objectives. The Director partners with customers and internal teams to deliver innovative, reliable, value-driven packaging solutions. The ideal candidate has extensive flexible packaging or converting industry experience, a strong record of sales leadership, and the ability to develop teams, win new business, grow existing accounts, and maintain profitability. The company designs and manufactures sustainable, high-performance flexible and thermoformed packaging for the food, beverage, medical, and consumer goods industries. Products include transparent high-barrier films, pouches, clamshells, and trays. The position offers work-from-home options, with the Chicago, Illinois area preferred, and requires approximately 40–60% travel. Compensation is $210,000–$220,000 annually; a signing bonus is negotiable. Relocation assistance is not available.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field.
10 or more years of progressive sales experience, including leadership roles in sales, manufacturing, or a related packaging discipline.
Demonstrated success driving growth in flexible packaging, converting, or related markets.
Proven ability to build, lead, coach, and develop sales teams.
Strong strategic selling, negotiation, and relationship management skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with complex, custom-engineered packaging solutions.
Knowledge of flexible packaging materials, structures, printing, and converting processes.
Experience supporting sustainability-focused packaging initiatives.
MBA or another advanced degree.

Responsibilities

Build, lead, and develop a results-driven sales organization aligned with priority market segments.
Recruit, onboard, coach, and mentor sales professionals, emphasizing consultative and process-driven selling.
Establish performance goals, accountability measures, and professional development plans.
Foster collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement.
Develop and execute sales strategies supporting growth and profitability objectives.
Lead expansion across key market verticals and identify opportunities for organic growth, new customer acquisition, and increased business with existing customers.
Turn market insights and customer needs into actionable commercial strategies.
Build long-term customer relationships and serve as an executive-level partner.
Lead complex negotiations and strategic sales opportunities while maintaining margin discipline and operational feasibility.
Promote customer-focused solutions that use capabilities in materials, printing, converting, and sustainable packaging.
Ensure customer commitments align with quality, safety, and service standards.
Partner with Business Development, Technology, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to deliver reliable, scalable solutions.
Support commercialization and new product development initiatives.
Collaborate with Business Development leadership on value propositions, market messaging, and sales enablement tools.
Drive consistent use of sales technology for scalable, data-driven selling.
Maintain disciplined CRM practices for prospecting, pipeline management, and customer insights.
Use analytics and reporting tools to improve forecast accuracy and sales productivity.
Establish structured digital prospecting processes to support customer acquisition and market expansion.