Sales Manager

Company Description

American Plastic Products (APP) is a well-established, ISO-certified, custom plastic injection molder headquartered in Waterbury, CT. Trusted by industries worldwide for over 60 years, APP delivers precision injection molded components backed by a comprehensive suite of value-added services from mold design and tooling through assembly, packaging, and logistics. With 40+ employees and a full-service manufacturing operation, APP is far more than a molder; they are a true manufacturing partner.

APP's capabilities span low to high-volume production runs, custom mold development, an expansive resin library including commodity, engineering-grade, and specialty materials and a broad array of post-mold value-added services. Their machine capacity ranges from 55 to 400 tons, accommodating parts from under an 1/8 of an inch to 15x15 inches across virtually any thermoplastic resin.

With a culture defined by long-tenured employees, collaborative leadership, and a commitment to technical excellence, candidates who join APP become part of a tight-knit team where their contributions are visible, valued, and directly tied to the company's continued success.

Role Description

APP is seeking a driven, self-motivated Sales Manager to spearhead new business development across the New England territory and US, and lead the sales and customer relationship management functions of the business. This is a high-impact, hunter-oriented role for a sales professional who thrives on building relationships from the ground up and converting prospects into long-term customers selling a compelling, full-service solution rather than a single commodity product. This individual will also be responsible for quoting, customer relationship management, and all other aspects of the sales department.

This is a full-time, on-site role located in Waterbury, CT, for an experienced Sales Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and develop new business opportunities through targeted prospecting, referrals, industry directories, and trade events.
• Build and manage a robust pipeline of qualified prospects across APP's target markets including Medical, Military/Defense, Automotive, Electronics, Industrial, and Security.
• Conduct in-person customer and prospect visits to present APP's full range of injection molding and value-added service capabilities.
• Consult with customers to understand their component, assembly, and supply chain needs positioning APP as a full-service manufacturing partner, not just a molder.
• Work closely with APP's internal engineering and operations teams to develop tailored, competitive proposals and solutions.
• Prepare and deliver proposals, quotes, and technical presentations; display capabilities using product samples, catalogs, and brochures.
• Maintain accurate records of sales activity, business transactions, customer visits, and expense accounts.
• Represent APP at relevant trade associations, industry events, and networking forums.
• Serve as the primary liaison between customers and APP's internal sales and operational teams.

Qualifications

Experience & Background

• 5-7+ years of B2B sales experience, ideally within plastic injection molding, custom manufacturing, contract manufacturing, or a related industrial/technical sector.
• Demonstrated success in a hunter sales role identifying, pursuing, and closing new accounts.
• Experience selling into Medical, Military/Defense, Automotive, Electronics, or Industrial markets is a strong plus.
• Familiarity with injection molding processes, thermoplastic materials, or manufacturing concepts preferred.

Education

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university.
• Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience will be considered

Competencies & Attributes

• Tenacious, self-directed, and results-oriented with a genuine passion for winning new business.
• Credible and consultative communicator able to build trust with engineers, procurement teams, and executive buyers alike.
• Organized and disciplined in territory management, pipeline tracking, and follow-through.
• Collaborative team player who works effectively with internal technical and operational staff
• Proven track record in sales strategy development, account management, and achieving sales targets.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and CRM software to manage sales pipelines and forecast revenue.
• Knowledge of the manufacturing industry, particularly in plastic products and injection molding, is a plus.