The Organization

An established, multi-site custom plastics manufacturer is seeking a senior commercial executive to lead its next phase of profitable growth. The organization operates multiple U.S. manufacturing facilities, more than 100 injection molding presses, and a broad range of molding and value-added capabilities supporting a diverse OEM customer base.

The platform combines custom injection molding with structural foam, gas assist, insert and over-molding, painting and decorating, hydrographic finishing, specialized shielding, welding, and assembly. The company serves a broad mix of industrial and consumer-oriented markets and is focused on expanding higher-value customer relationships where technical capability, quality, reliability, and responsive execution matter.

The Opportunity

This is a build-and-lead assignment for a commercially sophisticated executive who can translate manufacturing capability into a focused market strategy. Reporting directly to the CEO, the Vice President of Sales & Marketing will set the enterprise commercial agenda, strengthen sales execution, improve customer and margin mix, elevate the brand, and create a measurable demand-generation engine.

The successful candidate will operate as a player-coach: leading sales managers and independent representatives while personally engaging strategic accounts, complex pursuits, and major commercial negotiations.

Core Responsibilities

Commercial Strategy and Profitable Growth

• Develop and execute a multi-year commercial strategy aligned with enterprise growth, margin, capacity, and customer-portfolio objectives.
• Prioritize attractive industry verticals and target accounts based on strategic fit, technical capability, revenue quality, and long-term value.
• Own the annual revenue plan, pipeline architecture, pricing governance, quote-to-win analysis, and commercial forecast.
• Identify adjacent capabilities, programs, and acquisition opportunities that strengthen the platform's market position.

Sales Leadership and Operating Discipline

• Lead, coach, and develop a hybrid commercial organization of direct leaders and independent manufacturers' representatives.
• Establish a rigorous operating cadence for pipeline reviews, account planning, forecasting, CRM discipline, win/loss analysis, and performance accountability.
• Recruit and retain strong commercial talent and align incentives, territories, and vertical-market responsibilities with strategy.
• Personally manage a focused portfolio of strategic accounts and model the consultative, technically credible selling approach expected across the team.

Marketing, Brand, and Market Presence

• Set the marketing strategy and budget across digital presence, content, lead generation, trade shows, customer communications, and sales enablement.
• Position the brand around multi-site scale, broad process capability, disciplined quality, responsive execution, and value-added manufacturing.
• Create measurable marketing performance indicators tied to qualified opportunities, strategic-account penetration, and revenue outcomes.

Enterprise Leadership

• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance to align capacity, quoting, program launch, and customer service with the growth plan.
• Bring the voice of the market into capital planning, capability development, and enterprise strategy.
• Contribute as an active member of the executive leadership team and communicate effectively with ownership and other stakeholders.

Candidate Profile

• At least 10 years of progressive commercial leadership experience, including five or more years leading sales and/or marketing teams.
• Direct plastic injection molding experience is required; custom molding experience is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success growing revenue and gross margin in a multi-site or complex custom manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading direct sales professionals and independent manufacturers' representatives.
• Ability to personally develop and close technically complex, strategic, multi-million-dollar programs.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including pricing, margin management, capacity utilization, forecasting, and return-on-investment analysis.
• Bachelor's degree required; engineering, business, or another technical discipline preferred. MBA is a plus.
• Residence in the Southeast U.S., or willingness to relocate within a reasonable period, with practical access to a major commercial airport.
• Ability to travel approximately 40 to 50% domestically.

First-Year Priorities

• Present a clear, data-supported commercial strategy and vertical-market growth plan.
• Establish a disciplined sales operating system with reliable pipeline visibility and forecasting.
• Assess and strengthen the commercial organization and representative network.
• Demonstrate measurable progress in customer mix, qualified pipeline, bookings, and gross-margin quality.
• Launch a sharper market position and a measurable demand-generation program.
• Build credibility with key customers, plant leaders, the executive team, and ownership.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive executive base salary commensurate with experience and scope.
• Annual performance incentive tied to revenue, margin, and strategic objectives.
• Long-term incentive opportunity aligned with enterprise-value creation.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits.
• 401(k) with company match, vehicle/travel allowance, and relocation assistance where applicable