Head of Sales

Packaging Machinery & Capital Equipment Industry Location: Chicago, IL USA (Relocation Assistance Available) Travel: 40-60% About the Opportunity We are seeking an accomplished commercial leader to join our organization as a Chief Sales Executive (CSE). This is not a traditional Head of Sales role. We are looking for a proven builder, sales transformation leader, and strategic growth architect who can strengthen and scale a sales organization while driving long-term, sustainable growth. The successful candidate will be responsible for transforming commercial operations, building organizational capability, developing a multi-year growth strategy, and creating a disciplined sales culture that supports future expansion. Key Responsibilities Strategic Growth Leadership Develop and execute a clear 3-year growth strategy. Identify new market opportunities and expansion initiatives. Drive strategic account acquisition and penetration. Increase market share and revenue growth across key industries. Develop and maintain executive-level customer relationships. Evaluate the current sales organization and identify opportunities for improvement. Design and implement scalable sales structures and reporting frameworks. Build, lead, and develop high-performing sales teams. Establish accountability, performance expectations, and sales discipline. Recruit, mentor, and retain top commercial talent. Implement and optimize CRM systems and sales management processes. Improve forecasting accuracy, pipeline management, and reporting discipline. Standardize sales methodologies and best practices. Create scalable commercial processes to support long-term growth. Strategic Account & Major Project Development Lead key account acquisition and expansion efforts. Support large-scale capital equipment opportunities and complex sales cycles. Strengthen relationships with enterprise customers and strategic partners. Collaborate with engineering, operations, service, and leadership teams to maximize customer success. Organizational Leadership Assess organizational strengths, weaknesses, and resource gaps. Recommend structural improvements and organizational changes when appropriate. Build a clear roadmap for future growth. Challenge existing practices and bring fresh perspectives to accelerate business performance. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. 15+ years of progressive sales leadership experience. Significant experience within one or more of the following industries: Packaging Machinery Packaging Equipment Capital Equipment Manufacturing Systems Proven success leading and scaling sales organizations. Demonstrated track record of driving revenue growth and market expansion. Experience implementing CRM platforms, KPI management, forecasting, and sales processes. Strong strategic account development and business development skills. Experience managing complex sales cycles and major capital equipment projects. Preferred Qualifications Packaging automation and robotics experience. Experience leading organizational transformation initiatives. P&L management responsibility. Experience selling into Food & Beverage, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Pharmaceutical, Industrial Manufacturing, or Distribution sectors. International business experience is a plus. #J-18808-Ljbffr Pasona NA