National Account Manager - Hunter

The National Account Manager is a demanding but very exciting role. National Accounts is a key growth area for apetito and as such this is a senior sales position within our business reporting to the Deputy General Manager. We are looking for an ambitious individual with a growth mindset, entrepreneurial flair and the ability to engage from kitchen to the boardroom. This role is to open new trading relationships with large care groups within the UK care sector. Implementing the agreed strategy for the Care Homes Business Unit, the National Account Manager will set out clear objectives to accelerate growth and deliver outstanding execution of these.

apetito is the UK’s leading supplier of food to the health and social care sectors. Partnering with over 400 hospitals and 600 care homes, we produce delicious, consistent and sustainable meals for people in care settings. We’re also the parent company of Wiltshire Farm Foods, the UK’s premier home-delivery service for ready-made meals. Through our wide range of well-presented, nutritious meals to suit every taste and dietary need, we aim to make a real difference to lives of elderly and vulnerable people in care. We’re proud to be a Living Wage employer and member of the Ethical Trading Initiative. We support British food and farming and operate a successful programme of waste reduction and resource efficiency across our whole business.

The National Account Manager will be responsible for identifying and winning new business in the UK Care Homes marketplace:

• Be driven to seek out and win large NA business
• Provide Sales Manager, National Accounts with accurate forecasting of new business
• Update and maintain company CRM system (Hubspot)
• Build their profile in the industry through effective networking channels and becoming the face of apetito
• Work with marketing to design and execute marketing strategies in line with growth targets

Qualifications/Experience

Essential:

• Proven experience of achieving and exceeding sales targets in a B2B environment – focused on target achievement
• Personally responsible for closing deals – taking charge of the process all the way through
• Consultative, solutions-led sales experience, not hard product sell
• Strong commercial experience – be able to justify a business-case
• Objections handling focused around resistance to change/financial issues
• Proven experience of developing and managing an account relationship
• Excellent communications skills
• Full UK driving licence for at least 2 years

Desirable:

• Experience of food/nutritional standards
• Experience of the Care Sector
• Good Networking experience
• Degree qualified; within a business discipline
• Food Hygiene training

Personal qualities:

• Able to demonstrate gravitas and credibility with senior level stakeholders
• Resilient, tenacious and determined - persistent in pursuit of achievement
• Strong influencing, negotiating, listening and communicating skills
• Strong team working skills at all levels within an organisation, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence in delivery
• Must display a passion for this role and the business that we operate

While this is a field-based role it will include significant time visiting customers who can be anywhere in the UK. Overnight stays will be a regular requirement - typically 1 night per week. A company car is provided to facilitate this and a clean (or virtually clean) driving licence is essential. As this role involves working with elderly and vulnerable customers, it is exempt from The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and requires a Standard DBS Disclosure.

Company Benefits

• Competitive salary – accredited Living Wage employer
• Company car
• 25 days holiday per year, plus bank holidays
• Option to purchase up to 5 additional days holiday per year
• Generous annual bonus scheme
• Pension scheme - employer matched contributions up to 5%
• Life assurance scheme worth 2x annual salary
• Free turkey or voucher at Christmas
• apetito perks scheme including salary sacrifice options and retail discounts

As a family-owned business, we take great pride in being a company that makes a real difference and is dedicated to creating outstanding meals to be proud of. We develop a range of products designed to enhance health and well-being for all our customers. We are driven by a passion for service and dedicated to feeding some of the UK’s most vulnerable people. We proudly support British food and farming, focusing on using the best ethical and sustainable produce in alignment with our goal to reach Net Zero by 2040. Our ethical standards are recognised by the ETI and we are an accredited Living Wage employer. We embrace inclusion, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds. Our commitment to making a real difference extends to customers, communities, and staff and we're on a mission to build an inclusive workplace where everyone reaches their full potential.