New Business Development Manager

Guided Search Partners (GSP)

Guided Search Partners is an Executive Search firm built on Trust, Transparency, Specialization, and Long-term Relationships. We connect high-performing professionals with organizations that value people, performance, and growth, helping leaders find roles where they can make an impact and build meaningful careers.

About the Opportunity

We’re partnering with an established packaging manufacturer with deep roots in food and beverage and a product mix spanning flexibles, rigids, and glass. The business is at an inflection point: there’s excess manufacturing capacity today, and a new facility is scheduled to go live in the summer, opening significant additional capacity and creating a timely runway for new customer acquisition.

This role exists because new business development has become urgent. A recent hire backed out due to a counteroffer just days before starting, and the team is eager to bring in a true hunter who can build pipeline quickly and open doors with new customers. Historically, the sales organization has leaned more account-management than pure new logo development—so this is a chance to shape how growth is pursued, with support from a long-tenured leader who currently carries much of the hunting load.

If you’re a high-professionalism seller who enjoys building relationships from scratch, navigating complex packaging conversations, and turning capacity into revenue, you’ll feel right at home.

What You’ll Do

• Lead new business development efforts—identify, pursue, and win new customers across packaging markets.

• Open doors where none exist today, bringing a true “hunter” mindset to an organization ready to grow thoughtfully.

• Build a targeted prospect list and convert outreach into meetings, momentum, and qualified opportunities.

• Travel regularly (roughly 40% of the time; about 8 days per month) to build relationships in-person and move deals forward.

• Sell packaging solutions with a strong emphasis on food and beverage applications, aligning customer needs to manufacturing capabilities.

• Maintain a high level of professionalism throughout the sales process—especially in first impressions, follow-up, and negotiation.

• Once you bring business in, you’ll manage those accounts—owning the relationship beyond the initial win.

• Partner with internal stakeholders as needed to ensure new opportunities align with capacity, capabilities, and timing.

Who You Are

You’re a seller first energized by prospecting, building pipeline, and earning new logos. You know how to get your foot in the door and you’re comfortable being the one who creates momentum, not just maintains it. You’re also polished: customers trust you quickly because you show up prepared, communicate clearly, and handle pressure with maturity.

You’re the type who can work from a home office, manage your own calendar, and stay productive between travel days. And you understand the reality of packaging markets—especially where non-competes can exist—so you’re thoughtful about how you navigate opportunities and position your experience.

Preferred Experience & Attributes

• Proven success in packaging sales (required).

• Plastics experience preferred, with awareness of potential non-compete considerations (rigid container experience is a plus).

• Demonstrated new business development capability (this is not a key account management-only profile).

• Comfortable as a true hunter: prospecting, outreach, pipeline creation, and closing.

• Strong knowledge of the sales process and the discipline to execute it consistently.

• High level of professionalism in customer-facing communication and relationship building.

• Ability to travel frequently and work effectively from a home office anywhere in the U.S. (near a major airport).

Why This Role Matters

This position is directly tied to growth. With meaningful capacity available now—and even more coming online with the new Indiana facility—winning new customers is a business priority. You’ll help convert capability into opportunity, expanding the customer base while building relationships that last.

You’ll also be stepping into a role with visibility and support: reporting to a long-tenured VP who currently serves as the organization’s primary hunter, you’ll be central to how new business development scales from here.

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: VP of New Business Development

• Owns accounts brought in: Yes, accounts you win, you will manage going forward.

• Work location: Home office anywhere in the U.S. (near a major airport); travel approximately 40% (about 8 days/month).