
Let’s step away for a moment from the technical aspect of paper packaging to shine a light on the men and women who have been keeping Semoulin Packaging running for decades. Today, we’re interested in the story of Adrien, a young sales assistant at Semoulin Packaging. It’s the tale of an unconventional career path and a successful adaptation within a company that leverages its experience to embrace modernity.
At only 24 years old, Adrien represents a new generation of workers who are deeply aware of environmental issues. They are increasingly eager to make a difference within companies that acknowledge their role in this critical challenge.
Discover his journey and experience in a company that values its young talents.
FAQ before we begin the profile of our sales assistant:
How does Semoulin Packaging approach environmental challenges?
The company is committed to “doing better” and continuously seeks sustainable options.
What attracted Adrien to Semoulin Packaging?
The geographic proximity, a career opportunity in a different sector, and the company’s commitment to ecological practices.
What is his role at Semoulin Packaging?
Adrien is a sales assistant, responsible for overseeing orders throughout the entire process, from placement to the final product delivery.
What’s the work environment like at Semoulin Packaging?
It’s a family-like, supportive atmosphere, where face-to-face interaction is preferred over digital communication.
How was Adrien trained for his role?
Through hands-on learning, factory visits, and caring guidance from his colleagues.
An Unexpected Start in Paper Packaging
Adrien comes from Thulin, and it’s true that his path to becoming a sales assistant is quite unconventional! After studying translation in Mons, he mastered Dutch and English and completed an international business internship with Awex in Tokyo. However, after an experience in teaching, Adrien had to pivot to a new career path out of necessity. “There weren’t many opportunities in translation, so I had to adapt,” he explains.
That’s how he came across the job offer from Semoulin Packaging. “I applied, and things fell into place naturally,” he recalls. His previous professional experiences helped pave the way for him to discover a sector that is both complex and fascinating.
The Role of a Sales Assistant: An Evolving, Multifaceted Position
Adrien’s role as a sales assistant is far from monotonous. Contrary to popular belief, his job isn’t limited to commercial prospecting… “I handle the order and oversee its journey until the final product reaches the customer,” he explains. He describes his work as constantly evolving: “I feel like a Swiss army knife,” he says enthusiastically.
A Family-like Work Atmosphere
At Semoulin Packaging, the work environment is characterized by its warmth and closeness. “It’s true that there’s a lot of support and real interactions between colleagues. We often prefer to speak face-to-face rather than send a message on Teams, for instance,” Adrien explains. “What I also like is that everyone knows each other! And if you need help, you can easily ask for a hand. It really helps create a positive and dynamic environment.”
Technical Challenges and Thoughtful Support
Entering the world of flexible packaging can be overwhelming at first! Adrien admits he was surprised by the complexity of paper packaging, a far more technical field than he had imagined. Thankfully, he received excellent support during his training.
“Everything was done smoothly, and I was well-guided. I was trained on-site,” he says. He visited the factory, asked plenty of technical questions, and with his natural curiosity, quickly adapted. “Things are always explained to me with kindness,” he notes, which helped him get a handle on his role fairly quickly.
Autonomy and Continuous Training: A Culture of Trust
“They try to let me work with full autonomy. Training is ongoing and was done naturally. They give me freedom, and I continue to develop,” Adrien explains. This autonomy is crucial for him as it allows him to build his skills and progress within the company at his own pace while enjoying a certain degree of work freedom.
Clear and Encouraged Career Development Opportunities
One of the strengths of Semoulin Packaging, according to Adrien, is the variety of career advancement opportunities. His current goal is to assist Benoit, the sales manager, in the field to better understand the technical aspects at the client’s site. Ultimately, the goal is clear: “I want to meet clients on my own and not hide behind emails or phone calls,” he says with a smile, convinced that direct contact is essential to fully grasp the job.
A Shared Ecological Sensitivity
Working for a company committed to sustainability is a strong motivator for Adrien. “In my generation, we are more aware of environmental issues. So working for a company that focuses on paper rather than plastic is a real plus,” he says.
Raised with environmental awareness from a young age, this influences both his career choices and his day-to-day life. “I’ve become more conscious even in my daily habits, especially in the products I consume.” He also tells us that his internship experience in Japan, where “everything is wrapped in plastic,” reinforced his belief in the importance of transitioning to more sustainable packaging.
A Modern Vision Looking to the Future
That’s the beauty of working with a company that balances tradition and modernity. Tradition, because Semoulin Packaging has been passing down its values of quality and craftsmanship for over 100 years. And modernity, because the company has always been committed to evolving with the times.
“You might think that companies that have been around for a long time are resistant to change, but not at all! In fact, there’s always a forward-thinking vision and especially a desire to ‘do better,’” says Adrien, who easily relates to this refreshing outlook on work.
Conclusion: A Promising Future for Adrien and Semoulin Packaging
Adrien’s testimony is a great example of a young talent’s successful integration into a historic company. It also shows that the companies that thrive the most are those committed to staying resolutely modern while evolving with their audience.
By creating career opportunities while staying true to its core values (quality, service, and reduced environmental impact), Semoulin Packaging truly stands out!
For the future, we wish Adrien many exciting challenges and opportunities for growth.