Director, Food Packaging

Des Moines, IA, USA|

Job Overview

Compensation

Salary

Range $180,000.00 - $220,000.00

Benefits

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Medical insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

401k plan

Team based employee owner company culture

Job Description

Shorr Packaging Corp is a leading provider in the packaging industry, known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer-centric solutions. As an employee-owned company, Shorr Packaging fosters a culture where each team member feels a significant stake in the company’s success, promoting collaboration and a shared sense of ownership. The company specializes in offering a comprehensive range of packaging products and services, catering to diverse sectors including food and beverage, which is a key growth area. With an emphasis on sustainable practices and cutting-edge technology, Shorr Packaging continuously adapts to meet evolving market demands and customer expectations, ensuring they remain a trusted partner in packaging solutions.

The Director, Food Packaging at Shorr Packaging is a critical leadership role responsible for being the subject matter expert in all things related to food packaging. This role involves translating complex market trends, customer requirements, and supplier capabilities into actionable go-to-market strategies, sales enablement resources, and executing pipeline growth initiatives. The Director will work cross-functionally with teams such as marketing, operations, and supplier/manufacturer partners to enhance Shorr’s food packaging portfolio, aiming to improve win rates and deliver a consistent, high-quality customer experience. This position demands a strong strategic mindset combined with hands-on execution skills in new business development and account management. The Director leads efforts in opportunity identification, stakeholder engagement, proposal development, and pricing strategy formulation, while also ensuring smooth onboarding and implementation of packaging solutions for strategic customers.

In this role, you will be expected to maintain a deep knowledge of various food packaging applications and their performance requirements, covering materials such as films, trays, rigid containers, corrugate, protective packaging, and labels. You will be instrumental in building and sustaining strategic supplier relationships to support joint selling and portfolio expansion. Collaboration across multiple departments and leadership levels is essential, as is the ability to drive accountability and deliver measurable results. The role offers a base pay range of $180,000 to $220,000 annually and requires up to 40 percent domestic travel. Shorr Packaging does not provide work authorization sponsorship for this position. The company emphasizes adherence to safety, quality, and regulatory standards, ensuring compliance and elevating customer satisfaction through tailored packaging solutions. The work environment promotes an inclusive and strategic leadership approach, with opportunities to influence the broader sales organization and guide direct reports if applicable. Overall, this position represents a unique opportunity to shape the future of food packaging within a dynamic and employee-owned company that values innovation, excellence, and employee engagement.

Job Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in packaging, engineering, food science, business, or related field or equivalent experience
minimum 7 plus years of progressive experience in food and beverage packaging materials, equipment, automation, or contract packaging
demonstrated ability to create and execute go-to-market and business development strategy partnering with field sales teams
working knowledge of food safety and quality systems such as SQF, HACCP principles, GFSI environments and ability to translate requirements into packaging solutions
experience partnering with operations, co-manufacturers, and suppliers to implement packaging programs
strong analytical, financial, and presentation skills
proficiency with CRM tools such as Salesforce and Microsoft Office
proven consultative selling skills including prospecting, discovery, solution positioning, and negotiation
ability to influence cross-functionally and lead through ambiguity
proven ability to build and sustain strategic partnerships with manufacturers and suppliers
experience coaching and enabling sales teams
excellent communication and executive presence
strong sense of urgency and continuous improvement mindset
understanding of value-based selling and sales process discipline
outstanding interpersonal skills
must be able to travel up to 40% domestically

Job Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in packaging, engineering, food science, business, or related field or equivalent experience
minimum 7 plus years of progressive experience in food and beverage packaging including materials, equipment, automation, or contract packaging
demonstrated ability to create and execute go-to-market and business development strategies
working knowledge of food safety and quality systems such as SQF, HACCP principles, and GFSI environments and ability to translate those into packaging solutions
experience partnering with operations, co-manufacturers, and suppliers to implement packaging programs
strong analytical, financial acumen, and presentation skills
proficiency with CRM tools such as Salesforce and Microsoft Office
proven consultative selling skills including prospecting, discovery, and negotiation
ability to influence cross-functionally and lead through ambiguity
proven ability to build and sustain strategic partnerships with manufacturers and suppliers
experience coaching and enabling sales teams
excellent communication and executive presence
strong sense of urgency and continuous improvement mindset
understanding of value-based selling and sales process discipline
outstanding interpersonal skills

Job Duties

Set and execute the go-to-market strategy for food and beverage packaging including target segments, value propositions, and growth priorities
partner with sales reps to build and execute territory and account plans for food packaging including opportunity identification, stakeholder mapping, and close plans
drive new business development and strategic account growth by leading and assisting customer discovery, solution design, proposal development, and executive-level presentations
establish pipeline rigor for food packaging opportunities including leading deal reviews, maintaining CRM, improving forecast accuracy, and driving revenue and gross margin attainment
maintain deep knowledge of food packaging applications and performance requirements and translate that into sales messaging and solution recommendations
support reps and customers in meeting food packaging expectations by coordinating resources and ensuring requirements are incorporated into solutions
lead cross-functional pursuit teams to scope, price, and win strategic food packaging programs ensuring strong handoff and implementation
develop proposals and commercial strategies and support negotiation through close
partner with finance and leadership to manage pricing discipline and margin performance
build and maintain strategic relationships with key supplier and manufacturer partners
support customer onboarding and implementation to ensure solution delivery and platform for expansion
track and report business performance and recommend adjustments to improve results
lead and influence across the sales organization by setting priorities, coaching, and driving accountability
create and deliver sales enablement resources and provide joint customer call support
promote adherence to safety, quality, and regulatory policies
domestic travel up to 40% of the time