National Account Manager

National Account Manager

Cheltenham Full-Time 42000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Go Premium
F

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage major UK grocery accounts and drive strategic planning.
  • Company: Join a leading, award-winning food manufacturer known for innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, performance bonus, and flexible home-based work.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-growing company with exciting career progression.
  • Qualifications: Experience in account management within UK grocery is essential.
  • Other info: Regular meetings with clients and occasional office visits in South Wales.

The predicted salary is between 42000 - 84000 £ per year.

Are you a Junior National Account Manager or National Account Executive looking to step up and take ownership of major UK retail accounts? This is your opportunity to join one of the UK’s most exciting and fast growing food manufacturers.

About the Company

This award-winning business is a leading name in the chilled and frozen food sector, known for its high quality, private label, value-added products across meat, vegetarian, and dairy categories. With a strong track record of innovation, they partner with major UK retailers to deliver category-leading solutions that meet evolving consumer tastes. With a growing presence across grocery retail and foodservice, and a clear strategic vision for the future, they are expanding their commercial team with the appointment of a Grocery National Account Manager.

The Role

As National Account Manager, you’ll take full commercial ownership of a portfolio of major UK grocery retail customers. You’ll lead all aspects of account management, from day-to-day relationship building through to long-term strategic planning and P&L responsibility. Reporting directly to the Head of Grocery and supported by a National Account Executive, this is a hands-on role with a clear opportunity to make your mark and progress your career.

Key Responsibilities

  • Manage and grow a portfolio of major UK grocery retail customers
  • Lead annual negotiations, strategic planning, and promotional execution
  • Take ownership of budgets, forecasting and margin delivery
  • Drive customer-specific innovation, working closely with NPD and technical teams
  • Monitor and respond to category trends and competitor insights
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Finance, and wider Commercial team

What We’re Looking For

  • Experience as a Junior NAM, NAM or National Account Executive with UK grocery exposure
  • Background in own-label chilled or frozen food is a strong advantage
  • Proven ability to lead or support NPD projects and cross-functional working
  • Strong commercial acumen – confident with numbers, negotiation and planning
  • Proactive, driven, and able to work autonomously
  • Passionate about building long-term customer relationships

What’s on Offer

£50,000 to £60,000 basic salary
20% performance-related bonus
Company car or £5,400 car allowance
Full benefits package

Location

This is a fully home-based role. You’ll meet with key grocery retail customers regularly and attend the South Wales Head Office twice per month (overnight stays covered by the business).

F

Contact Detail:

FMCG Selection Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land National Account Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Research the company thoroughly before your interview. Understand their product range, recent innovations, and market position in the chilled and frozen food sector. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your genuine interest and align your experience with their goals.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with current or former employees of the company on platforms like LinkedIn. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations for the National Account Manager role, which can help you tailor your approach during discussions.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your ability to manage accounts, lead negotiations, and drive customer-specific innovation. Being able to articulate these examples clearly will set you apart during interviews.

✨Tip Number 4

Stay updated on industry trends and competitor activities within the grocery retail sector. Being knowledgeable about the market landscape will allow you to engage in meaningful conversations and demonstrate your strategic thinking during the interview process.

We think you need these skills to ace National Account Manager

Account Management
Negotiation Skills
Commercial Acumen
Budget Management
Forecasting
Strategic Planning
Relationship Building
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Market Analysis
Customer Insights
Project Management
Problem-Solving Skills
Proactivity
Autonomy

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience as a Junior National Account Manager or National Account Executive. Emphasise your achievements in managing grocery retail accounts and any exposure to chilled or frozen food sectors.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the role and the company. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed accounts, led negotiations, or contributed to NPD projects in previous roles.

Highlight Commercial Acumen: In your application, demonstrate your strong commercial acumen. Provide examples of how you've effectively managed budgets, forecasts, and margins in past positions, as this is crucial for the National Account Manager role.

Showcase Relationship Building Skills: Illustrate your ability to build long-term customer relationships. Include anecdotes or metrics that reflect your success in fostering partnerships with grocery retailers, as this will resonate well with the hiring team.

How to prepare for a job interview at FMCG Selection

✨Know Your Numbers

As a National Account Manager, you'll need to demonstrate strong commercial acumen. Be prepared to discuss your experience with budgets, forecasting, and margin delivery. Brush up on key metrics relevant to the grocery sector to show you can handle the financial aspects of the role.

✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills

This role requires building long-term relationships with major UK grocery retailers. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed client relationships in the past, focusing on your approach to communication and problem-solving.

✨Highlight Your NPD Experience

Innovation is key in this industry. Be ready to talk about any new product development (NPD) projects you've led or supported. Discuss how you collaborated with cross-functional teams to bring products to market and how you responded to category trends.

✨Research the Company and Its Products

Familiarise yourself with the company's portfolio, especially their chilled and frozen food offerings. Understanding their market position and recent innovations will help you tailor your responses and show genuine interest in the role.

National Account Manager
FMCG Selection
Location: Cheltenham
Go Premium

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

F
Similar positions in other companies
UK’s top job board for Gen Z
discover-jobs-cta
Discover now
>