Business Development Manager – Packaging Distribution

Location: South Coast / Southern England – territory flexible for the right person
Salary: Negotiable depending on experience, plus commission
Working hours: Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm
Working arrangement: Field-based, with regular office visits

Role Overview

• Identify and win new customers through proactive prospecting, networking and customer visits.
• Build a pipeline across manufacturing, distribution, e-commerce and other packaging users, with a particular focus on third-party logistics and fulfilment businesses.
• Review customers’ packaging processes and recommend improvements to materials, product protection, packing efficiency and costs.
• Sell a broad portfolio including corrugated boxes, protective packaging, void fill, tapes, films, strapping and packaging machinery.
• Work with internal colleagues and suppliers to develop proposals, arrange samples and demonstrate suitable solutions.
• Negotiate pricing and close business while maintaining commercial margins.
• Develop the accounts you win, identifying opportunities to expand the products and services supplied.
• Maintain accurate records of sales activity, opportunities and forecasts.
• Attend the office approximately once a week to collect samples, share opportunities and work closely with the wider team.

• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel throughout your territory.

About you

• A proven record of winning new business within packaging, print or office supplies
• Experience selling packaging materials, protective packaging, corrugated solutions or packaging machinery, gained within distribution or manufacturing.
• A proactive approach to prospecting and the drive to build a territory.
• Confidence assessing customer requirements and selling solutions through service, expertise and operational improvements.
• Strong communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Commercial awareness, with an understanding of pricing and margin.
• A professional approach and the ability to work independently while contributing to a close-knit team.
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel throughout your territory.

Candidates based around Southampton or the wider South Coast would be particularly well placed, although the territory can be shaped around the right person.

Ref: 1743506