Meet the Team: Tina Smith, Business Development Manager
A born salesperson with a knack for creating lasting customers, Tina landed in the packaging industry almost two decades ago and has never looked back.
With us for a year now in a business development role, Tina brings an enthusiasm for learning and a healthy competitive streak to this key role. This is a great combination for Universal, ensuring our customers can stay up with the play on new products and that we are always bolstered by her energy and can-do mindset.
Of course, it’s not all about the work for Tina. When she’s not out with her dogs, she enjoys taking her Ford Falcon for a spin and dreams of expanding her fleet to include a Mustang and perhaps a jet ski (or five). We sat down with her to talk about the past, present, and future.
Where did you grow up?
A small town near Mt Cook called Twizel. I left there when I was 21 and have been in Christchurch ever since.
Can you tell us a little about your career?
I’ve been in the packaging industry for seventeen years in various roles and businesses, gaining a fair bit of experience in that time. This (experience) was certainly helpful when I arrived as a BDM for Universal Packaging, and I’ve now been here for over a year.
What have been the challenges and victories along the way?
Challenges in my industry vary. Anyone can sell a roll of tape, or a roll of pallet wrap. But how do we sell it better? Customer relationships are absolute key when it comes to retention – which is one of the biggest challenges in the packaging industry. Technology in our industry has changed so much over the years too and, as products are constantly evolving, it’s important to never stop learning.
What is the secret to doing well in your job?
I believe one of the key factors to my success is my sense of urgency. If I get back to the people I’m working with quickly, it gives them faith that we can deliver in other areas in a timely manner.
What do you most like about the job?
Honestly, it’s the people. I’m really lucky to have the team I do in the Christchurch branch. We are a diverse team, but we all click and help each other out to get the job done, with a lot of laughs and crazy banter along the way.
What are your artistic, sporting, or cultural interests?
I’ve always been a sports nut, both watching and playing. I played mini-ball from age five then moved into basketball, where I was picked for a South Island Rep team back in the day. Rugby and netball have also been huge sports for me.
What are you surprisingly good at?
Not cooking – that I can assure you of! However, as of late I’ve realised I know more about cars than most of my team. I recently fixed two of my friends’ cars in the space of just a few days.
What’s something you’d like to wrap up?
A brand-new jet ski, so I can unwrap it again at Christmas! But since I’m yet to win Lotto, I’d like to unwrap the current struggles families in NZ are facing. Having hard-working people doing crazy hours and still struggling to buy food and pay a power bill is criminal in this day and age.
“Anyone can sell a roll of tape, or a roll of pallet wrap. But how do we sell it better? Customer relationships are absolute key when it comes to retention – which is one of the biggest challenges in the packaging industry.”
