General Sales Manager
Sector: Plastics
Function: Sales & Marketing
Location: USA
Ref: Ref
INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT & HR EXPERTS ACROSS THE PLASTICS, PACKAGING, SPECIALITY CHEMICALS, LIFE SCIENCES, BIOPOLYMER, FOOD ADDITIVES & INGREDIENTS, ENERGY AND RECYCLING SECTORS SINCE 1975.
Based in:
United States (Preferably Midwest / East Coast with proximity to major manufacturing and FMCG hubs
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.Click on this text to edit it.
The Role:
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.
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:
Trade exhibitions
Customer meetings
Technical seminars
Industry associations
Packaging conferences
The Candidate:
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.
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.
Throughout 2026 & 2027 you can meet with Listgrove at the following exhibitions:
Interpack, France Innovation Plasturgie, Interplas UK, Plast Milan, Fakuma, ArabPlast, NPE 2027.
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