Plant Base Sales Manager

The successful candidate will be responsible for will be responsible for managing and growing a portfolio of 100+ customer accounts across the DACH region, with a focus on metal and fibre-based consumer products. The role combines regular account management, business development, commercial ownership and cross-functional collaboration to deliver sustainable revenue and margin growth.

What you’ll be doing:

• Manage and grow customer relationships: Develop strong, long-term relationships with customers through regular communication, virtual meetings and proactive account management, ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction and retention.
• Drive sales and business growth: Identify customer needs, market opportunities and potential new accounts, developing and converting new business opportunities to support revenue growth and achieve sales and margin targets.
• Lead commercial activities: Manage pricing, commercial negotiations and margin development, responding to customer enquiries and identifying opportunities to expand the business within existing and new accounts.
• Own forecasting and demand planning: Manage monthly sales forecasts and continuously develop an understanding of customer ordering patterns, demand trends and business cycles to improve forecast accuracy, production planning and customer service.
• Coordinate cross-functional customer requirements: Partner closely with Customer Service, Supply Chain, Quality, Logistics and other internal teams across locations to ensure effective communication, timely issue resolution and seamless customer delivery.
• Maintain accurate sales and CRM information: Ensure customer, opportunity and sales records are accurately maintained within the CRM system, including documentation of customer interactions, meetings and commercial activities, and provide regular sales reporting.
• Optimize the customer portfolio: Segment customers, prioritize key growth opportunities and proactively identify areas for increased share of wallet, improved profitability and long-term account development.

This position is located in Germany, Seesen

Knowledge & Skills

The ideal candidate is a highly motivated, self-driven sales professional with a proven ability to manage a diverse customer and product portfolio and quickly develop a strong understanding of the Sonoco organization. The role requires a commercially minded individual with excellent relationship-building, communication and stakeholder management skills, combined with strong digital capabilities.

• Commercial & customer focus: Strong customer relationship management skills, commercial awareness and a proven ability to identify and develop business opportunities across a fragmented customer portfolio.
• Sales & relationship management: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trusted, long-term relationships with customers and internal stakeholders.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work effectively across functions, locations and cultures, fostering collaboration and ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Digital & analytical capability: High level of computer literacy, including strong Microsoft Office skills, with experience using CRM, sales reporting and other business systems.
• Adaptability & initiative: Highly motivated self-starter who can quickly understand organizational structures, products, processes and customer requirements, while working independently and proactively.
• Education: Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience.

We’d love to hear from you if you:

• have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional qualification like Business Administration, Sales, Marketing or related discipline
• experienced in Sales Support, Inside Sales, Customer Service or Account Management; in manufacturing or industrial environments; building customer relationships
• 5 years related work experiencedd
• German native speaker, fluent English required
• limited to no travel required
• with excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• proficiency with computers
• able to meet deadlines

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.