Sales Director
Whitlam Group
Centerline, MI
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Sales Manager is responsible for leading the company’s sales strategy to drive revenue growth, market expansion, and long-term customer partnerships. This role oversee the performance and development of the sales team while identifying new market opportunities and strengthening relationships with key accounts.
The Sales Manager develops and executes strategic sales plans that align with company objectives, focusing on profitable growth, margin improvement and customer retention. This position works cross-functionally with all departments to ensure customer solutions meet technical specifications, quality standards, regulatory requirements and delivery expectations.
Success in this role requires strong knowledge of pressure-sensitive labels, flexible packaging, materials and printing technologies including flexographic and digital processes. The Sales Manager monitors market trends, competitive activity and pricing strategies to position the company as a trusted manufacturing partner.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Sales Leadership and Strategy
- Develop and execute sales plans to achieve revenue, margin and market share objectives.
- Lead, coach and mentor the sales team to drive performance, accountability and professional development.
- Establish clear sales targets, quotas and performance metrics for the team.
- Monitor sales pipelines, forecasts and activity metrics to ensure goals are achieved.
- Provide regular reporting and analysis of sales performance to executive leadership.
- Participate in annual budgeting, forecasting and strategic planning initiatives.
- Foster a collaborative performance driven culture that promotes employee engagement and retention.
- Ensure sales activities align with company policies, ethical standards and operational capabilities.
Business Development and Market Expansion
- Identify and pursue new market opportunities across targeted industries and market segments.
- Build strategies to expand company’s presence in pressure sensitive labels and related packaging solutions.
- Build relationships with key decision makers including procurement, marketing, engineering and operations leaders.
- Lead the development of proposals, presentations and value-based selling strategies.
- Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies and competitive positioning to identify growth opportunities.
Key Account Management
- Maintain and expand relationships with strategic and high value customers.
- Lead negotiations on pricing, contracts and long-term agreements.
- Collaborate with internal teams to ensure customer expectations for quality, service and delivery are consistently met.
- Identify opportunities to increase revenue through cross-selling, upselling and value-added solutions.
- Resolve customer concerns and escalate issues when necessary to maintain strong partnerships.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with operations, production, customer service and supply chain teams to ensure alignment between sales commitments and operational capabilities.
- Support the successful launch of new products, materials and service offerings.
- Communicate customer feedback and market intelligence to internal teams to support continuous improvement.
- Recruit, develop and retain high-performing sales professionals.
- Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and feedback.
- Approve departmental hiring decisions, promotions and compensation adjustments.
- Address performance issues and implement improvement plans when necessary.
Talent Development and Team Management
- Recruit, develop and retain high-performing sales professionals.
- Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and feedback.
- Approve departmental hiring decisions, promotions and compensation adjustments.
- Address performance issues and implement improvement plans when necessary.
Financial and Operational Accountability
- Ensure pricing strategies and sales activities support company profitability objectives.
- Monitor margins and collaborate with leadership to improve overall financial performance.
- Support major account negotiations and strategic contract discussions.
- Maintain accurate forecasting and sales reporting.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing or related field preferred.
- Six (6) years of experience in the Flexographic or label manufacturing industry.
- Six (6) years of progressive sales experience, including leadership or team management responsibilities.
- Demonstrated success in driving revenue growth and developing high-performing sales teams.
- Strong understanding of pressure sensitive labels, printing technologies, materials and concerting processes.
- Proven ability to build strategic customer relationships and negotiate complex agreements.
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:
- Strategic sales leadership
- Business development and market expansion
- Negotiation and contract management
- Financial and margin management
- Team leadership and talent development
- Customer relationship management
- Strong communication and presentation skills
- Analytical and strategic thinking