Business Development Trainee

Grow Your Sales Career with Smurfit Westrock – Business Development Trainee

Are you ready to launch your sales career or bring your skills into a dynamic, fast-paced industry where you can make a real impact? At Smurfit Westrock Tannochside, we have an exciting opportunity for a Business Development Trainee to join our team.

Whether you’re exploring a new career path or looking to develop your sales skills, this role offers hands-on experience, structured training and the chance to contribute to real business growth from day one.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and life stages — if you’re motivated, curious and eager to learn, we want to hear from you.

What You’ll Be Doing

As part of our friendly, driven team, you’ll:

• Research and identify new business opportunities within target markets
• Develop your knowledge of our diverse product portfolio
• Build strong relationships with customers through professional communication
• Learn and apply value-based selling techniques to meet customer needs
• Join and lead client meetings, presentations, and sales calls
• Maintain accurate customer and opportunity records in our CRM system
• Prepare sales reports and updates for internal and external stakeholders
• Support marketing and promotional activities for the site
• Help onboard new customers and manage their accounts
• Support the management of existing customer accounts
• Take part in structured training on commercial awareness, negotiation, and product knowledge

As this is a sales-focused role, success will be measured by Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as activity levels, customer engagement and contribution to new business. You’ll receive full support and coaching to help you excel.

What We’re Looking For

Essential:

• A genuine interest in business development and customer engagement
• Confident communicator with great people skills
• Self-motivated, proactive and well-organised
• Comfortable with IT systems and open to learning CRM tools
• Full clean UK driver’s licence

Desirable:

• Experience in sales, customer service or a commercial environment (e.g. part-time roles, internships, placements)
• A degree, equivalent qualification or relevant industry experience

Packaging experience is a bonus — but not essential. We’re more interested in your potential, mindset and enthusiasm. We’ll give you everything you need to learn the industry and succeed in the role.

What We Offer

• A competitive salary and benefits package (including annual leave, pension and Cycle to Work scheme)
• Career development opportunities in a leading UK packaging business
• Full training and onboarding – no packaging experience required
• A supportive, inclusive working environment
• Flexible working options and family-friendly policies
• 24/7 confidential support for you and your family
• A culture that values collaboration, integrity and continuous improvement
• Guaranteed interview for candidates meeting essential criteria (Disability Confident Employer)

Apply Today

Applications are open now — take the next step in your career with Smurfit Westrock and help us build a sustainable future together.

Smurfit Westrock reserve the right to only shortlist candidates who meet both the Essential and Desirable Criteria.

We are an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their sex; religious or similar philosophical belief; political opinion; race; age; sexual orientation; or, whether they are married or are in a civil partnership; or, whether they are disabled; or whether they have undergone, are undergoing or intend to undergo gender reassignment.

We practice equality of opportunity in employment and select the best person for the job.