Open To Work
Desiree James
Industrial Sales Manager
Johannesburg
Work Preference
Summary
Strategic and results-driven Industrial Sales Manager with a proven track record of driving commercial growth, expanding market share, developing strategic customer relationships, and delivering exceptional sales performance. Experienced in leading end-to-end sales initiatives, managing complex projects from concept to completion, identifying new business opportunities, and strengthening customer partnerships to achieve sustainable competitive advantage. A dynamic and transformational leader with a strong ability to inspire, motivate, and empower teams to achieve ambitious commercial objectives. Passionate about developing talent, fostering a high-performance culture, and aligning individual and team capabilities with broader organizational goals. Skilled in strategic sales planning, territory management, key account development, and identifying opportunities to maximize revenue, profitability, and market penetration. Combines strong commercial acumen with in-depth knowledge of industrial sales, supply chain processes, and customer relationship management. Brings a disciplined, analytical, and solutions-oriented approach to decision-making, supported by strong technical expertise, sound business judgment, and exceptional attention to detail. Committed to building high-performing teams, cultivating long-term customer partnerships, and delivering measurable business results that contribute to organizational growth and long-term success.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Industrial Sales Manager (Gauteng Region)
Mpact Limited
04.2025 - Current
- My strategic approach as an Industrial Sales Manager focuses on driving sustainable revenue growth, maximising profitability, expanding market share, and strengthening long-term customer partnerships. I focus on developing and executing strategic sales initiatives, identifying new business opportunities, expanding territories, and leveraging market intelligence to maintain a competitive advantage. Through strong commercial acumen, data-driven decision-making, and effective key account management, I align sales performance with broader organisational objectives. I am passionate about motivating, coaching, and empowering high-performing teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement to consistently exceed targets. By aligning customer needs with operational capabilities and supply chain efficiencies, I strive to deliver exceptional customer value, strengthen business performance, and achieve sustainable long-term growth.
- Develop project outlines to guide team efforts.
- Implemented strategic business plans that expanded customer base.
- Presented sales, revenue, and expense reports and forecasts to senior management team at weekly and quarterly feedback meetings, aligning insights with decision-making.
- Identify emerging markets and market shifts.
- Monitored sales metrics and suggested actions to improve performance.
- Manage customer tender processes and SLA submissions.
- Negotiated annual price increases with customers, ensuring alignment with market trends and customer expectations.
- Provide quarterly feedback on key performance indicators to team members. and monitoring across my team.
- Leading and motivating a team of 8 Internal sales coordinators and 7 External Sales representatives.
Executive Key Accounts Manager
Everest Corrugated Packaging group (Pty) Ltd
04.2022 - 03.2025
- As a Sales Executive, I am the face of the business, working to satisfy customers’ needs and requests. Responding to customer queries in a timely manner and aspiring to deliver a positive customer experience. I have excellent communication and negotiation skills, with a customer centric approach.
- Created detailed outlines for project plans and strategies.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with key clients.
- Directly manage Key Accounts, in accordance with agreed targets, goals and based on company guidelines, identifying customer needs.
- Analyzed customer organizations and decision-making processes to identify growth opportunities and drive account development.
- Understanding the customers business model and business environment as well as the competitive environment of the customer.
- Negotiated prices and completed service contracts with customers, ensuring all commercial requirements were documented and maintained.
- Monitors monthly performance (pipeline, wins, losses, RFP opportunities, consulting activities).
- Effectively handing over and transitions new business into operations to ensure that customer requirements and commitments are met.
- Working closely with internal stakeholders, (Internal sales, Supply Chain, Production, Quality and Finance), ensuring an end – to – end successful value chain customer experience.
- Facilitated regular review sessions with assigned customers to promote continuous improvement, align on strategy and priorities, and ensure operational excellence.
- Prepared comprehensive reports for management review. and present regular reports to management on account status and progress.
- Reason for Leaving – Head hunted for a better opportunity at Mpact Limited Corrugated division
Sales Director
BOXLEE (PTY) LTD
07.2017 - 04.2022
- Managing a portfolio of accounts.
- Cultivated strong client relationships to enhance customer satisfaction and retention.
- Generate new business using existing and potential customer networks.
- Leveraged existing and potential customer networks to drive new business opportunities.
- Build and promote strong customer relationships.
- First point of contact to handle customers’ requirements and individual needs.
- Resolved customer issues and addressed complaints to maintain trust.
- Provided weekly and monthly account status reports to management, ensuring transparency and informed decision-making.
- Ensure the correct products and services are delivered to customers in a timely manner.
- Set and track sales account targets, aligned with company objectives.
- Report to management on status of accounts, weekly and monthly reporting.
- Managed operations in Industria, Johannesburg.
- Outlined primary job duties and expectations.
- Exceeded individual budget by 1% in FYE 2021-2022.
- I have worked on several Blue-Chip accounts, e.g., Tiger Brands; Tupperware; CTP Caxton packaging Group; GlaxoSmithKline, to name a few.
- Facilitate the supply chain process in collaboration with internal operations.
- Highlighted ongoing significant projects and successes.
- Key responsibilities
- Customer Interface
- Industria JHB
- Reason for leaving – Promotion to Sales executive.
Key Account Manager
Nampak Cartons and Labels
01.2011 - 06.2014
- Developed trust relationships with major customers in portfolio.
- Acquire a thorough understanding of key customer needs and requirements.
- Expanded relationships with existing customers by proposing tailored solutions to meet their objectives.
- Contributed to generating new sales, fostering long-lasting customer relationships.
- Prepare regular reports of progress and forecasts to internal and external stakeholders using key account metrics.
- My customer portfolio included blue chip accounts, Unilever, Pioneer Foods, GlaxoSmithKline.
- Managed customer relationships in Denver and Johannesburg
- Outlined primary duties related to account management
- Departed for opportunity as Senior Key Account Manager at Boxlee
Internal Sales Coordinator
Nampak Cartons and Labels
01.2007 - 12.2011
- Coordinated sales team by managing customer purchase orders, organizing important documents, and communicating relevant information.
- Resolved customer complaints and provided after-sales support as needed.
- Processed all orders accurately and in a timely manner.
- Monitor the team’s progress, identify shortcomings, and propose improvements.
- Attend daily production meetings, serving as liaison between customer and sales team.
- Key responsibilities
- Reason for leaving – I was on a succession plan and was promoted to Key Account manager and moved to Johannesburg.
Internal and Export Sales Coordinator
Cray Valley Resins
02.2000 - 12.2006
- Prospecton KZN
- Left for a new opportunity with Nampak, where a succession plan offered training for the key account manager role.
- Coordinated export order processing, ensuring accurate documentation and timely shipment execution.
- Managed customer communications across international accounts, resolving delivery and documentation issues promptly.
- Prepared commercial invoices, packing lists, and customs paperwork for compliant export transactions.
Cash Office Controller
Woolworths
01.1993 - 01.2000
- Engaged in non-permanent roles from 1993 to 1999.
- Operated in La Lucia and Musgrave, KZN regions.
- Transitioned to pursue a new opportunity at Cray Valley Resins.
Education
Bachelor of Commerce - Marketing Management
Mancosa South Africa
Gauteng Province06-2025
Finance for Non-Financial Managers
GIBS Business School (Gordon Institute of Business Science)
08-2018
Diploma - Business Management and Administration
Damelin KZN
08-2005
IMM Diploma - Sales and Marketing Management
Institute of Marketing Management
11-1995
Matriculation - undefined
Hillview High School KZN
11-1991
Skills
ABACA – Corrugated packaging software program specific – Current
QlikView – Forecasting / Sales statics tool
Microsoft Office Suite – Advanced - Current
HubSpot – Pipeline tool
Tactix = Forecasting tool
Product Presentation
CRM Proficiency
Territory Management
Competitor Analysis
Sales Pipeline management
Sales coaching
Personal Information
I am a 53 year old female, living and working in Johannesburg South Africa.
I am currently living with my partner, our children are grown and have left home.
Timeline
Industrial Sales Manager (Gauteng Region)
Mpact Limited
04.2025 - Current
Executive Key Accounts Manager
Everest Corrugated Packaging group (Pty) Ltd
04.2022 - 03.2025
Sales Director
BOXLEE (PTY) LTD
07.2017 - 04.2022
Key Account Manager
Nampak Cartons and Labels
01.2011 - 06.2014
Internal Sales Coordinator
Nampak Cartons and Labels
01.2007 - 12.2011
Internal and Export Sales Coordinator
Cray Valley Resins
02.2000 - 12.2006
Cash Office Controller
Woolworths
01.1993 - 01.2000
Matriculation - undefined
Hillview High School KZN
IMM Diploma - Sales and Marketing Management
Institute of Marketing Management
Bachelor of Commerce - Marketing Management
Mancosa South Africa
Finance for Non-Financial Managers
GIBS Business School (Gordon Institute of Business Science)
Diploma - Business Management and Administration
Damelin KZN