Pharmaceutical logistics is a unique and highly regulated sector. It must comply with strict standards set by the Korean Pharmaceutical Distribution Association (KGSP), making it difficult to find the right warehouse. Han Ji-Yeon, Logistics Team Manager at RSQUARE, faced the daunting task of securing a suitable warehouse within just a week. We met with her to hear the full story.
R: Could you explain the details of this recent contract? How significant was it for the company, the logistics team, and you personally?
Han Ji-Yeon (Han): This deal involved securing a 250-pyeong warehouse for Baekje Pharmaceuticals, which needed to obtain KGSP approval. The challenge was that they urgently required additional space to meet the conditions for the approval, and we had only a week to find and finalize the contract. On top of that, the warehouse needed to meet very specific regional and technical specifications, so I even searched through Naver Real Estate listings to find suitable options. The property I found required collaboration with another real estate agency, so I had to work with them to close the deal.
Room temperature warehouse in Ipseok-ri, Namyangju, signed this contrac
Finding a warehouse that meets KGSP standards is no easy task. Requirements such as temperature and humidity control, hygiene, air filtration, pest control, and theft prevention are strict. For example, if controlled substances are stored, special locks are needed. Even disposal processes for returned goods are tightly regulated.
Although the deal was not large in terms of space or fees, this was my first independent contract just three months after joining the logistics team, which made it personally significant for me and our team.
R: What was the biggest challenge in securing this contract, and how did you overcome it?
Han Ji-Yeon, Logistics Team Manager at RSQUARE
Han: I spent late nights discussing the deal with the property owner, explaining RSQAURE’s business model and building trust through personal communication, which ultimately helped secure the contract.
At one point, there was a risk that the deal would fall through because the local real estate agency was strongly against co-brokering the property. While I was tempted to give up, I reminded myself of the client's urgent need for the KGSP approval and the potential impact on RSQUARE's reputation if we failed. I considered how important this deal was not only for my client but also for the logistics team and our company’s image. This pushed me to persevere.
R: What led you to join RSQUARE’s logistics team, and what prior experiences helped you close this deal?
Han: I recently transferred to the logistics team. Before that, I worked in RSQUARE’s client infrastructure team, handling marketing. After spending nearly two years managing office marketing, I felt the need to upgrade my career.
Through the process of researching potential clients and reaching out to them, I gained a broad understanding of the logistics industry. My marketing experience helped me develop client management skills, and I learned the basics of sales by shadowing salespeople during client meetings. These experiences played a crucial role in helping me succeed with this deal, even though it was my first time in sales.
R: What do you think sets RSQUARE’s logistics team apart from competitors?
Han: I believe our biggest strength is the vast amount of warehouse data we’ve gathered through exhaustive surveys. The ability to compile diverse information about specific logistics centers and coordinate teams nationwide to create a complete, accurate dataset requires more than just effort.
It takes sufficient manpower, financial resources, and years of experience to develop and utilize such data effectively. The passion and dedication of our team are key factors that make this possible, and this is something other companies can’t replicate easily. It’s RSQUARE’s unique advantage, especially in logistics.
R: What are your future goals, and is there a new area you'd like to explore after this experience? Any advice or encouragement for colleagues with similar goals?
Han: Since I’m still new to sales, I have a lot to learn. Logistics is full of variables—things like warehouse facilities, regulations, and legal requirements all need to be carefully managed by salespeople. The only way to master this is through hands-on experience.
Although our logistics team has gained some experience since its early days, there are still unexpected challenges we face during contracts. My goal is to continue building my skills by handling more deals, and eventually, I want to share the knowledge I gain with my team.
To anyone new to sales or logistics: it’s normal to feel unsure or make mistakes when you start. It can be overwhelming, and sometimes you may feel discouraged. But overcoming these challenges will give you the experience and skills that make you irreplaceable in the long run. Keep pushing through, and you’ll become someone others rely on.
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Pharmaceutical logistics is a unique and highly regulated sector. It must comply with strict standards set by the Korean Pharmaceutical Distribution Association (KGSP), making it difficult to find the right warehouse. Han Ji-Yeon, Logistics Team Manager at RSQUARE, faced the daunting task of securing a suitable warehouse within just a week. We met with her to hear the full story.
R: Could you explain the details of this recent contract? How significant was it for the company, the logistics team, and you personally?
Han Ji-Yeon (Han): This deal involved securing a 250-pyeong warehouse for Baekje Pharmaceuticals, which needed to obtain KGSP approval. The challenge was that they urgently required additional space to meet the conditions for the approval, and we had only a week to find and finalize the contract. On top of that, the warehouse needed to meet very specific regional and technical specifications, so I even searched through Naver Real Estate listings to find suitable options. The property I found required collaboration with another real estate agency, so I had to work with them to close the deal.
Room temperature warehouse in Ipseok-ri, Namyangju, signed this contrac
Finding a warehouse that meets KGSP standards is no easy task. Requirements such as temperature and humidity control, hygiene, air filtration, pest control, and theft prevention are strict. For example, if controlled substances are stored, special locks are needed. Even disposal processes for returned goods are tightly regulated.
Although the deal was not large in terms of space or fees, this was my first independent contract just three months after joining the logistics team, which made it personally significant for me and our team.
R: What was the biggest challenge in securing this contract, and how did you overcome it?
Han Ji-Yeon, Logistics Team Manager at RSQUARE
Han: I spent late nights discussing the deal with the property owner, explaining RSQAURE’s business model and building trust through personal communication, which ultimately helped secure the contract.
At one point, there was a risk that the deal would fall through because the local real estate agency was strongly against co-brokering the property. While I was tempted to give up, I reminded myself of the client's urgent need for the KGSP approval and the potential impact on RSQUARE's reputation if we failed. I considered how important this deal was not only for my client but also for the logistics team and our company’s image. This pushed me to persevere.
R: What led you to join RSQUARE’s logistics team, and what prior experiences helped you close this deal?
Han: I recently transferred to the logistics team. Before that, I worked in RSQUARE’s client infrastructure team, handling marketing. After spending nearly two years managing office marketing, I felt the need to upgrade my career.
Through the process of researching potential clients and reaching out to them, I gained a broad understanding of the logistics industry. My marketing experience helped me develop client management skills, and I learned the basics of sales by shadowing salespeople during client meetings. These experiences played a crucial role in helping me succeed with this deal, even though it was my first time in sales.
R: What do you think sets RSQUARE’s logistics team apart from competitors?
Han: I believe our biggest strength is the vast amount of warehouse data we’ve gathered through exhaustive surveys. The ability to compile diverse information about specific logistics centers and coordinate teams nationwide to create a complete, accurate dataset requires more than just effort.
It takes sufficient manpower, financial resources, and years of experience to develop and utilize such data effectively. The passion and dedication of our team are key factors that make this possible, and this is something other companies can’t replicate easily. It’s RSQUARE’s unique advantage, especially in logistics.
R: What are your future goals, and is there a new area you'd like to explore after this experience? Any advice or encouragement for colleagues with similar goals?
Han: Since I’m still new to sales, I have a lot to learn. Logistics is full of variables—things like warehouse facilities, regulations, and legal requirements all need to be carefully managed by salespeople. The only way to master this is through hands-on experience.
Although our logistics team has gained some experience since its early days, there are still unexpected challenges we face during contracts. My goal is to continue building my skills by handling more deals, and eventually, I want to share the knowledge I gain with my team.
To anyone new to sales or logistics: it’s normal to feel unsure or make mistakes when you start. It can be overwhelming, and sometimes you may feel discouraged. But overcoming these challenges will give you the experience and skills that make you irreplaceable in the long run. Keep pushing through, and you’ll become someone others rely on.