At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage customer deals from enquiry to order fulfilment, ensuring a smooth process.
- Company: Join Grounded, a leader in sustainable packaging solutions.
- Benefits: Earn £40,000 base plus commission, enjoy a 4.5-day work week and 20 days holiday.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities in a dynamic, supportive environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a fast-paced team making a real impact on sustainability.
- Qualifications: No packaging experience needed; just bring your curiosity and people skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 40000 £ per year.
Own customer deals from first enquiry through to fulfilled order, using the best tooling in packaging to move quickly, stay organised and keep customers properly looked after.
About Grounded
Grounded makes sustainable packaging simpler, faster and more transparent. We work with growing brands and global manufacturers to reduce plastic, cut waste and manage complex packaging supply chains. We do that through a mix of deep packaging knowledge, strong supplier relationships and Pacflow, our own platform for quoting, procurement and production. We are a small team by design. We use technology to remove repetitive work, not to add layers of process. That means the people here spend their time on judgment, customer relationships, commercial decisions and making things happen.
The role
This is a hybrid sales and operations role for someone who likes pace, responsibility and variety. You will take qualified inbound enquiries and own them through to a clean, fulfilled order. That means speaking with customers, understanding what they need, guiding them through options, closing the deal and making sure the order is handed over properly into production. You will also work closely with our AI assistant, which helps with triage, admin and routine communication. Your job is not to behave like a script. Your job is to bring human judgment: commercial calls, rapport, problem-solving, follow-through and making sure customers feel properly looked after. Because you will be one of the heaviest users of our tools, you will also help shape them. When something is slow, clunky or repetitive, we want you to spot it and feed it back so we can improve how we work. This is not slow B2B. We reply quickly, keep momentum and treat follow-up as part of the job, not an afterthought.
What you’ll do
- Sales and conversion - Own a pipeline of qualified inbound enquiries. Pick them up quickly, build rapport and move customers from first conversation to closed order. Help customers, often first-time packaging buyers, understand the trade-offs between cost, lead time, quantity, quality and sustainability. Follow up properly, keep deals moving and turn first orders into long-term customer relationships.
- Order ownership - Make sure deals are clean before they move into production. Work with operations, suppliers and finance to keep live orders moving and resolve blockers quickly. Stay close to the details so customers get clear answers and the team is not left chasing missing information.
- Working with AI and internal tools - Use our software daily to move faster and reduce repetitive admin. Take the judgment calls that the tooling cannot handle. Spot friction in the process and help us decide what should be automated or improved next.
- Cross-functional work - Keep sales, operations and finance aligned on active deals. Work closely with the people building our tools so the systems reflect how the work actually happens.
Who you are
- You are fast, organised and good with people. You do not need a packaging background. You do need curiosity, follow-through and the confidence to learn quickly.
- You are comfortable using AI every day. You already use AI tools in your own work and understand how they can remove admin, speed up communication and help you stay organised.
- You are quick to respond. You do not like things sitting unanswered. You follow up, close loops and keep momentum without needing to be chased.
- You are strong with customers. You can build rapport quickly, explain things clearly and make customers feel looked after. A hospitality, retail, front-of-house or customer service background would be very relevant here.
- You are early-career, ambitious and switched on. You are looking for responsibility, not a narrow job description. You want to learn how a business works from the inside and you are happy being close to both customers and operations.
- You are organised and reliable. You finish what you pick up. You keep details straight. People can trust you to move things forward properly.
- You are interested in sustainability. Sustainable packaging is the point of what we do. You do not need to be an expert, but you should care about the problem we are trying to solve.
- You are comfortable in a small, fast company. We are building our own way of doing things. That should feel exciting to you, not chaotic.
What we offer
- £40,000 base + commission
- 4.5-day week, with Fridays finishing at 1pm
- 20 days holiday + public holidays
- In-office culture in Dalston, East London
- Real responsibility from day one
- Direct exposure to sales, operations, supply chain and the AI tooling behind how we work
- A clear path to grow into senior sales, account management and shaping the systems we use to sell and deliver
Grounded is an equal-opportunity employer and we welcome applications from all backgrounds. If you share our pace, curiosity and interest in sustainable packaging, we would love to hear from you.
Sales & Operations Associate employer: Grounded Packaging
Grounded is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant area of Dalston, London, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises sustainability and innovation. With a 4.5-day work week, competitive salary, and real responsibility from day one, employees have the opportunity to grow within a small, fast-paced team while directly engaging with customers and shaping the tools they use. The company fosters a supportive environment where curiosity and ambition are encouraged, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the packaging industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales & Operations Associate
✨Leverage Your Network
In sales and business development, who you know can often be as important as what you know. Get involved with local networking events or industry meetups to connect with key players. Don't be shy—share your passion for the field and let folks know you're on the lookout for opportunities!
✨Show Your Skills Through Real-World Results
When targeting a full-time role like Sales & Operations Associate at Grounded Packaging, presenting tangible results from your previous sales experience can set you apart. Bring along case studies or examples of how you've closed deals or expanded accounts, and don't forget to showcase your problem-solving prowess. It’s all about quantifying your success!
✨Engage with Sales Communities
Dive deep into online sales communities, like Sales Hacker or LinkedIn groups dedicated to sales professionals. Engaging in discussions and sharing insights can boost your visibility and might just put you on the radar of hiring managers looking for fresh talent in business development.
✨Direct Applications Matter
While we all know the online application route, consider sending direct applications to companies you admire, including Grounded Packaging. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a Sales & Operations Associate. Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!
We think you need these skills to ace Sales & Operations Associate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Those Sales Skills:In your CV and cover letter, highlight any previous sales or business development experience you have. Use numbers and examples to showcase your achievements – did you exceed sales targets or bring in new clients? Make those accomplishments shine!
Tailor Your Message for Grounded Packaging:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for Grounded Packaging. Show that you know the company’s mission and how your skills align with their goals in the sales landscape. This personalised touch will grab their attention!
Keep It Professional Yet Engaging:Sales is all about relationships, so while you want to maintain professionalism in your application, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Engage the reader and demonstrate your enthusiastic approach to sales and business development!
Proof of Performance:Include any relevant certifications or training you’ve undertaken in sales or negotiation tactics. If you’ve attended workshops or courses, list these to showcase your commitment to professional development. This extra touch can set you apart from the competition!
How to prepare for a job interview at Grounded Packaging
✨Know Your Sales Methodologies
Brush up on popular sales methodologies like SPIN Selling or Challenger Sales. Being able to discuss these techniques and how you've applied them will show Grounded Packaging that you understand the role and can hit the ground running in the sales game.
✨Demonstrate Your Deal-Making Skills
Prepare to share stories from your past experiences where you closed deals, overcame objections, or started new client relationships. We want to show Grounded Packaging that you’re not just about numbers but also about building lasting connections in business development.
✨Prepare for Role-Play Scenarios
In a full-time sales interview, don’t be surprised if they throw in a role-play exercise to test your pitching skills. Practising how you would pitch a product or handle an objection will help us shine in this simulation—think of it like a dress rehearsal for your future sales calls!
✨Align Your Goals with the Company’s Vision
Take a moment to reflect on how your career ambitions align with Grounded Packaging’s objectives. When we articulate how our personal growth ties in with the company’s goals, it shows commitment and a genuine interest in contributing to their success.
