General Sales Manager

INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT & HR EXPERTS ACROSS THE PLASTICS, PACKAGING, SPECIALITY CHEMICALS, LIFE SCIENCES, BIOPOLYMER, FOOD ADDITIVES & INGREDIENTS, ENERGY AND RECYCLING SECTORS SINCE 1975.

 

General Sales Manager-North America
Location: United States (Preferably Midwest / East Coast with proximity to major manufacturing and FMCG hubs)

Industries: Rigid Plastics Packaging supplying to Food & Beverage, Dairy, Personal Care, Home Care, Pharmaceuticals, Nutraceuticals, Paints & Coatings, Agrochemicals, Construction Chemicals, Lubricants, Industrial Packaging. Precision thermoset moldings to electrical components, automotive, commercial vehicles, agricultural, metros and rail.

 

Job ref: CST/65126
Salary: Attractive

 

The Company:

Our client is a well-established Indian manufacturing group with more than 30 years of experience in rigid plastic packaging and engineered thermoset components.

The group combines two complementary businesses: a leading manufacturer of rigid plastic packaging for sectors including paints and coatings, food and beverage, personal care, home care, chemicals and industrial products; and a specialist manufacturer of precision-moulded thermoset components serving the electrical, energy, automotive and industrial markets.

With significant manufacturing capacity, strong engineering and tooling capabilities, and an established MNC customer base, the group has built a reputation for quality, innovation and long-term customer partnerships.

The business is now focused on establishing and expanding its presence in the US market, creating an exciting opportunity to bring its established manufacturing expertise and broad product capabilities to a growing North American customer base.

 

Position Summary:

We are seeking an entrepreneurial, highly motivated sales leader based in the United States to establish and then expand the North American business.

The incumbent will be responsible for identifying, developing and managing customers across the USA and Canada for the combined product portfolio of both companies. The role requires developing strategic relationships with multinational corporations, contract manufacturers, distributors and brand owners while acting as the face of both organizations in North America.

The position is expected to build a sustainable sales pipeline, generate profitable revenues and establish long-term customer relationships while coordinating closely with the engineering, technical, manufacturing and commercial teams in India.

 

Key Responsibilities:

Business Development:

· Develop and execute the North American sales strategy
· Identify and develop new customers across target industries.
· Build a strong North American sales team to ensure a robust pipeline of opportunities through direct selling, networking, exhibitions and industry associations.
· Generate qualified leads and convert them into long-term business relationships.
· Develop distributor, representative and channel partner networks where appropriate.

 

Key Account Management:

· Manage strategic multinational and regional customers.
· Develop relationships with Procurement, Packaging Development, R&D, Manufacturing and Supply Chain teams.
· Increase wallet share within one existing customer.
· Ensure high customer satisfaction and timely resolution of commercial issues.

 

Market Development:

Technical Sales:

· Prepare quotations and commercial proposals.
· Lead commercial negotiations.
· Achieve annual sales and profitability targets.
· Monitor contribution margins and pricing.
· Prepare annual business plans and rolling sales forecasts.

 

Customer Project Management:

· Coordinate new product development projects from enquiry through commercial production.
· Work closely with Indian SPOC (single point of contact) and manufacturing plants to ensure timely execution.
· Monitor project timelines and customer approvals.

 

Market Intelligence:

· Monitor industry trends, competitor activities and emerging technologies.
· Identify acquisition, partnership or strategic alliance opportunities.
· Provide regular market intelligence reports to management.

 

Representation:

· Represent both companies at:
o Trade exhibitions
o Customer meetings
o Technical seminars
o Industry associations
o Packaging conferences

 

Candidate Profile:

Education:

· Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Packaging Technology, Polymer Engineering, Business or a related discipline.
· MBA preferred.

 

Experience:

· Proven experience selling industrial rigid plastic products or to OEMs of electrical, automotive, farm & construction equipment, metros & railways for thermoset and thermoplastic solutions in the North American market.
· Existing relationships with FMCG, Food, Pharmaceutical, Personal Care, Home Care, Electrical / Electrical Switchgear or Industrial manufacturers preferred.
· Experience working with Asian or global manufacturing companies is desirable.

 

Desired Industry Experience:

Experience in one or more of: Rigid Plastic Packaging, Engineering Plastics, Thermoset (composites) Applications, Industrial Packaging

 

Essential Skills:

· Hunter mindset with strong business development capabilities
· Excellent commercial negotiation skills
· Strategic account management
· Strong presentation and communication skills
· Technical aptitude
· Ability to sell both value-added solutions and commodity products
· CRM and pipeline management
· Cross-cultural collaboration
· Strong analytical and financial acumen
· Self-driven and capable of working independently

 

Travel Requirements:

· Extensive travel across the United States and Canada (approximately 50–70%).
· Periodic travel to India for business reviews, customer visits, strategy meetings and product training.

 

Why Join Us:

This is a unique opportunity to build the North American business for two growing Indian manufacturing companies with strong technical capabilities, integrated design and manufacturing expertise, and a commitment to delivering innovative, high-quality packaging and polymer solutions to global customers.

 

 

Please understand that due to the expected high number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly

 

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the country where the role is located. Evidence of the right to work may be required during the recruitment process

For reasons of readability, gender-specific language has been simplified. All references to individuals apply equally to people of all genders.

 

To apply please contact: Conrad Taylor
conrad.taylor@listgrove.com

 

Why select Listgrove?
· Five Decades of Market Intelligence
· Unrivalled Industry Networks
· Recognised International brand
· HR Qualified Professionals

To hear from our clients on how we have supported their search for talent and HR needs, please visit Listgrove’s Case Studies page.

 

Throughout 2026 & 2027 you can meet with Listgrove at the following exhibitions:
Interpack, France Innovation Plasturgie, Interplas UK, Plast Milan, Fakuma, ArabPlast, NPE 2027.

 

Performance through People.

Please visit www.listgrove.com for more information on our services, global success and testimonials.

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