Corrugated Senior Manager Packaging Supplies, North Central Ohio

Company Description

An independent packaging manufacturer, from corrugated packaging, paper bags, retail displays, pre-print, supply and inventory management, paper mills, and recycling, they are strategically positioned to provide customers with a total packaging solution.

Job Title

Senior Manager Packaging Supplies

How long was client searching prior to our involvement?

The client was searching for 1 year prior to reaching out to DDI.

Did client have internal recruiting resources?

Yes, the client utilizes online job advertisements and has standard internal search processes.

Why was this a real problem for the client?

Our client had developed the supply side of their business as a natural offshoot of their core corrugated manufacturing operations. Over time, this ancillary business gained traction and demonstrated meaningful success, largely driven by existing customer relationships and organic demand. However, despite this momentum, the supply division had never been given dedicated leadership or strategic focus. There was no single individual responsible for aligning vendor relationships, serving as a consistent point of communication for customers, or developing a cohesive strategy to guide growth. As a result, the business was largely reactive rather than intentional, making it difficult for the organization to accurately assess the true size, profitability, and long‑term potential of this segment. Recognizing this gap, the client understood that without focused ownership and strategic oversight, they were leaving significant opportunity untapped and lacked clear visibility into what this portion of the business could ultimately become.

How did this opportunity help the candidate?

The candidate was able to leverage the skills and insights developed over a 20‑plus‑year career in the packaging industry, drawing on a rare combination of both manufacturing and distribution experience. Throughout his career, he had gained a comprehensive understanding of how products move from production through the supply chain and ultimately to the end customer, giving him a holistic perspective that extended well beyond day‑to‑day operations. This breadth of experience positioned him well to step into a significantly more strategic role—one focused on long‑term planning, cross‑functional alignment, and scalable growth initiatives. Joining a company undergoing tremendous expansion, he was able to transition from execution‑focused responsibilities to a leadership role where he could influence direction, build structure, and help guide the organization through a critical phase of its growth trajectory.