Packaging Specialist (Industrial B2B Sales) at Unique Personnel

Job Description    

• We are seeking a driven and commercially minded Packaging Specialist to join a team based in Kempton Park, Gauteng. This is a field-based consultative sales role focused on developing new business opportunities, conducting packaging trials, demonstrating cost savings, and building long-term customer relationships.
• The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the full sales cycle, from cold prospecting and opportunity development through to account growth and customer retention. This role is ideally suited to an ambitious industrial sales professional who enjoys operating independently, solving operational challenges, and delivering measurable value to customers.
• The position requires regular travel throughout Gauteng and surrounding provinces, with occasional travel across South Africa when significant opportunities arise.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development

• Identify and prospect new industrial customers through cold calling, networking, referrals, and market research.
• Develop relationships with decision-makers within manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, and distribution businesses.
• Generate and qualify sales opportunities within target industries.
• Secure appointments and gain customer approval for on-site packaging trials.

Consultative Sales & Technical Support

• Conduct on-site pallet wrapping trials and packaging assessments.
• Analyse customers’ current packaging processes and costs.
• Demonstrate cost-per-pallet savings and operational improvements.
• Present tailored value propositions focused on cost reduction, efficiency, and load stability.
• Assist customers in implementing improved wrapping techniques and best practices.

Account Management

• Build and maintain long-term customer relationships.
• Manage customer supply requirements and ongoing service needs.
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue and product penetration within existing accounts.
• Ensure customer satisfaction and retention through proactive engagement.

Territory Management

• Manage a portfolio of customers and prospects across assigned territories.
• Maintain accurate customer records and pipeline activity using CRM systems.
• Prepare sales forecasts and activity reports.
• Travel regularly to customer sites including factories, warehouses, and distribution centres.

Revenue Growth

• Achieve annual revenue targets and contribute to overall company growth.
• Build a sustainable customer portfolio through consistent prospecting and account development.
• Support the company’s long-term growth strategy by securing high-value industrial contracts.

Inherent Requirements    

Key Requirements

Experience

• 3–10 years of B2B sales experience within industrial or technical sales environments.
• Proven track record of opening new accounts and generating new business through prospecting.
• Experience managing long sales cycles and complex customer decision-making processes.
• Demonstrated success selling into manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, or industrial operations.

Preferred Industry Background

Experience within one or more of the following industries is highly advantageous:

• Packaging
• Plastics manufacturing
• Industrial consumables
• Warehousing equipment
• Logistics packaging
• Palletising systems
• Protective packaging

Skills & Competencies

• Strong consultative selling and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to identify and communicate financial value propositions.
• Comfortable conducting cost analyses and discussing savings opportunities with customers.
• Strong presentation and negotiation skills.
• Excellent planning, organisation, and time-management abilities.
• Proficiency in CRM systems and sales reporting tools.

Personal Attributes

• Self-motivated and highly independent.
• Strong work ethic and accountability.
• Persistent and resilient in prospecting environments.
• Comfortable working within factory and warehouse environments.
• Analytical mindset with strong numerical ability.
• Curious about technical processes and operational improvements.
• High levels of integrity and professionalism.
• Genuine desire to help customers improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver's licence and own reliable vehicle.
• Willingness to travel extensively within Gauteng and surrounding regions.
• Ability to travel nationally and stay overnight when required for customer trials and business development activities.

Success Indicators

Successful Packaging Specialists typically demonstrate:

• Consistent new business generation through cold prospecting.
• Strong pipeline development and conversion rates.
• Ability to secure and convert packaging trials into long-term supply agreements.
• Growth of customer portfolios and recurring revenue streams.