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
