New Business / Category Manager - Rigid Plastic Packaging

SUMMARY:
A leading manufacturer specialising in rigid packaging requires the above to be accountable for managing very senior key account customers as well as driving new business development within the agricultural, meat, bakery and poultry sectors on a national basis for the company.

POSITION INFO:
Minimum requirements for the role:

• Minimum matric is essential.
• Previous senior / key accounts and or new business development sales experience having worked within the rigid plastic packaging or any other packaging markets within the food or beverage or agricultural or related manufacturing markets is preferred for the role.
• Proven track record of managing multinational or large regional accounts.
• Experience in negotiating high-value contracts and long-term supply agreements.
• Strong knowledge of rigid plastic packaging and its applications in the beverage industry is preferred but not essential.
• Proven ability to manage complex accounts and deliver innovative packaging solutions.
• Commercial acumen with experience in pricing, cost analysis, and profitability management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate insights into strategies.
• Must have excellent communication and presentation skills at senior stakeholder level.
• Results-oriented, resilient, and capable of working in a fast-paced, competitive environment is essential.

• Managing very senior key account customers as well as driving new business development within the agricultural, meat, bakery and poultry sectors on a national basis for the company. The successful candidate will identify new mould developments for products outside of their current product offerings.
• The successful candidate will have direct interactions and reporting lines with all staff as well as the senior executive team within the company.
• Defining sales and marketing objectives and strategies for sales territories and will drive sales budgets, forecasts and yearly sales targets.
• Managing, overseeing and driving sales forecasting and operational planning processes and will obtain market share within various sectors according to the company’s strategy.
• Managing and overseeing all contracts and agreements with customers and distributors in alignment with the company’s strategy.
• Assisting quality and operations ensuring that customer complaints reported are processed and adhered to.
• Generating and presenting sales reports to exco members as well as driving and initiating new business projects both locally and internationally.
• Optimising and selectively implementing new products in order to maximise profit.
• Managing and negotiating pricing with customers at a very senior level as well as developing and managing long-term relationships with key clients, including multinational and regional brands.
• Monitoring competitor activities, industry trends, and customer expectations to inform commercial strategies.
• Supporting product innovation and new launches by collaborating with R&D, technical, and production teams.
• Providing regular reports to the Exco Team on account performance and market opportunities.