Senior Packaging Consultant

Reference: HQ001245-Tasmi-1

Job Title: Senior Packaging Consultant

Department: Sales & Marketing

Location: KwaZulu-Natal

Employment Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 30 June 2026

Stratogo is a professional recruitment and workforce solutions company specializing in sourcing and placing top talent across various industries.

Our client, a leading manufacturer of rigid plastic packaging solutions, is seeking an experienced Senior Packaging Consultant to manage and profitably grow an allocated customer portfolio while developing new business opportunities across the KwaZulu-Natal region. This role combines strategic account management, business development, technical packaging consulting, and commercial leadership to deliver innovative packaging solutions that meet customer requirements and drive sustainable revenue growth.

The successful candidate will serve as the primary commercial and packaging solutions interface between customers and the business, translating customer needs into technically feasible, commercially viable, and operationally executable packaging solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Customer Relationship Management & Business Development

• Develop and maintain strong customer relationships across the KwaZulu-Natal region.
• Identify and secure new business opportunities through structured prospecting and market development activities.
• Analyse customer, market, industry, and competitor trends to identify growth opportunities.
• Develop and implement account growth plans for key customers.
• Grow market share through effective territory management and customer retention strategies.
• Conduct regular customer visits and engage with key decision-makers to strengthen business partnerships.

Packaging Solutions & Technical Consulting

• Engage customers to understand packaging requirements, product applications, operational needs, and sustainability objectives.
• Recommend fit-for-purpose rigid packaging solutions aligned with customer specifications and commercial objectives.
• Provide expert guidance on packaging materials, formats, manufacturing capabilities, and product performance.
• Identify opportunities for product improvements, line extensions, redesigns, and cost optimization initiatives.
• Support product sampling, customer trials, validation processes, approvals, and successful commercialization of packaging solutions.

Customer Service & Project Coordination

• Deliver exceptional customer service throughout the customer lifecycle.
• Manage customer queries, complaints, and service issues efficiently and professionally.
• Coordinate packaging projects from initial brief through quotation, trial, approval, and launch phases.
• Collaborate with internal teams to resolve product, quality, delivery, and service-related challenges.
• Maintain strong customer communication and ensure effective follow-through on all commitments.

Commercial Management & Sales Performance

• Prepare and coordinate quotations, pricing proposals, and commercial submissions.
• Assess commercial viability, profitability, and strategic fit of opportunities.
• Monitor customer forecasts, sales pipelines, open quotations, and business performance.
• Conduct regular budget reviews and maintain accurate sales forecasts.
• Support customer stock planning and pre-production requirements to improve service delivery.

Administration & Reporting

• Maintain accurate customer records, sales activities, project updates, and commercial data.
• Complete customer visit reports, sales estimates, quotation tracking, and management reporting.
• Monitor back orders, service risks, and customer stock positions.
• Ensure timely logging, tracking, escalation, and resolution of customer-related issues.
• Provide management with accurate and commercially relevant reports and market feedback.

Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

• Work closely with Customer Care, Production, Planning, Quality, Procurement, and Supply Chain teams.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and customer value creation projects.
• Stay informed on packaging innovations, sustainability trends, market developments, and industry best practices.
• Represent the company professionally and uphold high standards of customer engagement and business ethics.

Minimum Requirements

• Grade 12 (Matric).
• Bachelor's Degree, National Diploma, or equivalent qualification in Packaging, Sales, Marketing, Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, Polymer/Material Sciences, or a related field.
• Significant experience in a customer-facing commercial role within a B2B manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience in account management, business development, and territory growth.
• Experience within the plastics, rigid packaging, packaging manufacturing, or related industrial sectors is highly advantageous.
• Strong understanding of packaging applications, customer requirements, and solution-selling principles.
• Experience with quotations, pricing, forecasting, demand planning inputs, and commercial negotiations.
• Exposure to cross-functional project coordination and customer issue resolution.
• Proficient computer literacy and reporting skills.
• Willingness to travel regularly within KwaZulu-Natal and nationally when required.

Skills & Competencies

• Account Management & Business Development
• Packaging Solutions Consulting
• Relationship Management
• Negotiation & Influencing Skills
• Commercial Acumen & Profitability Analysis
• Customer Needs Analysis
• Sales Forecasting & Pipeline Management
• Communication & Presentation Skills
• Conflict Resolution & Problem Solving
• Planning, Organization & Self-Management
• Analytical & Numerical Reasoning
• Customer Service Excellence
• Stakeholder Management
• Cross-Functional Collaboration

What is on Offer

• Competitive market-related remuneration package.
• Opportunity to join a leading manufacturer within the plastics and packaging industry.
• Exposure to key national and regional customers.
• Career growth and professional development opportunities.
• Dynamic and customer-focused commercial environment.
• Opportunity to contribute to innovative packaging solutions and business growth.

How to Apply

Send CV: ***email_hidden***

Please ensure the job title "Senior Packaging Consultant" is reflected in the subject line of your email application.

Note: If you do not receive a response within three weeks of submitting your application, kindly consider your application unsuccessful.

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