Product Manager - Case Ready & Protein - MIDWEST Location

Harpak-Ulma Packaging

6d

About The Position

Own the Case Ready & Protein segment—with a clear goal: profitable growth and market leadership across beef, pork, and poultry packaging applications. This is a customer-obsessed, technical + commercial role that shapes winning solutions across tray sealing, thermoforming, flow wrap, and integrated automation systems.

Partner closely with Sales to qualify, design, and close opportunities. Translate voice of customer (VOC) into compelling solutions, pricing strategies, and differentiated value propositions. Define segment strategy, standard offers, and go-to-market plans while enabling the Sales team to win consistently.

This role serves as the segment expert and commercial leader, driving growth through deep application knowledge, strong partner coordination, and disciplined execution across the full sales lifecycle.

Requirements

• BS in Engineering, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5–10+ years in packaging, protein processing, or related automation environments
• Proven experience in technical sales, product management, or application engineering
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to translate technical solutions into business value
• Excellent communication and cross-functional leadership skills
• Case Ready Applications: Strong understanding of beef, pork, and poultry packaging including fresh, MAP, and case-ready formats; knowledge of shelf-life drivers and packaging performance requirements.
• Packaging Systems: Tray sealing, thermoforming, and flow wrapping fundamentals; familiarity with film structures, sealing technologies, labeling, and coding.
• Upstream & Downstream Integration: Working knowledge of portioning, slicing, grinding, loading, inspection, and end-of-line systems required for complete solutions.
• Solution Configuration: Ability to develop layouts, define system architecture, and integrate multiple equipment platforms into cohesive solutions.

Responsibilities

• Growth & Commercial Leadership: Own segment growth across Case Ready and Protein markets; shape opportunities, define win strategy, and support deal closure. Travel with Sales as the subject matter expert in customer engagements and industry events.
• Segment Ownership & Strategy: Define and execute annual segment plans including target accounts, applications, competitive positioning, pricing strategy, and margin goals. Align with Product Management across Flow, Tray Sealing, Thermoforming, and Automation.
• Customer Advocacy: Lead discovery and application development; translate customer requirements into clear, differentiated solutions including layouts, performance expectations, ROI/TCO, and scope definition.
• Solution Development: Configure integrated packaging solutions leveraging Harpak-ULMA equipment and third-party partners (portioning, slicing, loading, labeling, inspection, etc.). Ensure solutions are technically sound, commercially viable, and competitive.
• Sales Enablement & Training: Develop and deliver ongoing training programs for Regional Sales Managers (RSMs) to improve application knowledge, data collection, and proposal quality. Drive consistency and increase close rates across the segment.
• Partner & Ecosystem Strategy: Identify, qualify, and manage third-party partners required to deliver complete Case Ready solutions. Maintain strong relationships to ensure technical alignment and commercial competitiveness.
• Demo, Trials & Sampling: Support and coordinate customer demonstrations, product-to-package validation, and in-house trials. Ensure professional execution to accelerate decision-making and de-risk projects.
• Market Intelligence & Competitive Analysis: Conduct win/loss analysis, monitor competitive offerings, and provide insights to refine segment strategy, pricing, and positioning.
• Sales & Marketing Collaboration: Work with Marketing to develop campaigns, promotions, and segment-specific messaging. Contribute to trade shows, industry events, and thought leadership content.
• Pipeline & Performance Management: Track pipeline health, close rates, and cycle times. Drive accountability and continuous improvement across the segment.
• CRM & Process Discipline: Ensure accurate documentation of opportunities, proposals, and activities within CRM systems to support repeatability and organizational learning.

Benefits

• Competitive base + performance-based incentives tied to segment growth, bookings, and margin performance
• Full benefits package

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees