Sales Manager, Vela - North America

About Seaman Paper & Vela

Seaman Paper is a family-owned, global packaging company with a legacy of innovation and sustainability, manufacturing lightweight paper packaging solution across our operations in the US, Europe, and Asia.

Vela, a brand segment within Seaman, is on a mission to eliminate plastic in the global supply chain. We partner with leading fashion and lifestyle brands to deliver sustainable paper-based packaging solutions across footwear, apparel, and accessories. Our work is global, fast-paced, and deeply rooted in innovation, service, and sustainability.

The Role

We’re looking for an established, commercially minded Sales Manager to grow the Vela footprint across North America. This role is focused on identifying and winning new business with fashion, apparel, and lifestyle brands that are seeking innovative, sustainable packaging solutions.

You’ll leverage an existing book of business and personal relationships to turn opportunities into active, revenue-generating programs. You’ll also manage brand contracts and forecasting to ensure alignment across our supply chain and internal teams.

You understand the fashion sustainability agendas and feel at ease exchanging with sustainability managers, logistics and buying departments. You have a creative approach to problem solving and act as a trusted advisor to support your key accounts.

We are flexible on the location for this position in the US.

Salary Range: $110,000 - $125,000 per year

Key Responsibilities

• Drive new business opportunities across the North American market, targeting apparel, accessories and footwear brands.
• Lead commercial conversations with brand stakeholders—sustainability, supply chain, and procurement teams.
• Own pipeline development, quoting, pricing discussions, and deal closure.
• Manage brand-level contracts and forecasting in partnership with our internal teams.
• Work cross-functionally with product, customer success, and operations to bring new programs to life.
• Represent Vela and Seaman Paper in brand meetings, presentations, and industry events.
• Maintain accurate CRM data (Salesforce) and track progress toward sales targets.

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of experience in commercial sales, business development, or key account management—ideally in packaging, fashion, trims, supply chain, or a sustainability-focused industry.
• Strong relationships in swim and golf apparel channels a plus.
• Strategic thinker with strong execution skills and a bias for action.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Well-organized and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Interest in sustainability topics and a passion for purpose-driven work.
• Salesforce or CRM experience preferred.

Why Join Vela?

• Be part of a fast-growing, international team focused on impact.
• Work with leading global brands and supply chain partners.
• Help eliminate plastic and shape the future of sustainable packaging.

Work Authorization: Must be eligible to work in the United States.

EEO Statement: Seaman Paper is an equal opportunity employer.

Other Duties:Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands and work environment described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk, use a keyboard, use a telephone and climb stairs. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. The employee must have the ability to drive a vehicle as needed.