Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Build and grow relationships with key buying groups and national accounts in the plumbing sector.
- Company: Join a respected brand in the plumbing and bathroom industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to make an impact.
- Why this job: Drive growth and innovation while managing key accounts across the UK.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in account management and understanding of buying groups.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional development and networking.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity to join a well-renowned and highly respected brand within the plumbing and bathroom sector. We are looking to appoint a National Account Manager with proven buying group experience to take ownership of developing and growing relationships across key UK buying groups and national accounts.
This role is specifically focused on the independent merchant buying-group landscape, and experience working with groups such as NBG, IPG, PHG, H&B or UKPS is essential.
The Role
Reporting directly to the Head of Sales, you will be responsible for building and maintaining long-term, strategic relationships with buying groups and their member businesses. You will drive growth through structured account management, promotional planning, and collaborative development, while managing commercial performance across volume, value, margin and profitability.
This is a highly visible, national role that requires strong commercial judgement, excellent stakeholder management and a deep understanding of how buying groups and independent merchant networks operate.
Key Responsibilities
- Account Management
- Deliver agreed sales targets across volume, value, margin and EBIT
- Maintain strong, regular contact with buying groups and relevant departments
- Visit accounts and member branches to understand operations and identify growth opportunities
- Maintain accurate account records and internal reporting
- Identify and develop new business opportunities, including branded and own-label ranges
- Introduce new products aligned with business strategy and manage account expectations
- Recommend POS, merchandising and display solutions to improve conversion and visibility
- Communicate marketing and PR activity clearly to accounts
- Plan, execute and evaluate promotional activity and advertising spend
- Work closely with marketing to ensure campaigns are effective, targeted and ROI-driven
- Build strong relationships with key stakeholders across buying groups and accounts
- Lead quarterly performance reviews with customers and internal teams
- Agree, monitor and deliver against annual KPIs
- Ensure timely execution of promotions, pricing, invoicing and queries
- Identify cost-saving opportunities and operational efficiencies
- Manage and track approved promotional and advertising budgets
The Person
- Proven experience in a National or Key Account Manager role, ideally within plumbing, bathrooms or building materials
- Demonstrable buying group experience and understanding of independent merchant networks
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to analyse data and drive strategic decisions
- Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills
- Comfortable operating nationally and managing multiple senior stakeholders
If you would like more information and a confidential chat, please don't hesitate to get in touch below.
National Account Manager - Buying Groups in Bedford employer: ASR International
Contact Detail:
ASR International Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land National Account Manager - Buying Groups in Bedford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the plumbing and bathroom sector. Attend industry events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might help you land that National Account Manager role!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your experience with buying groups like NBG or IPG. Share specific examples of how you've driven growth and built relationships in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its position in the market. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their goals, especially around account management and promotional planning. Tailor your answers to reflect their needs and demonstrate your commercial acumen.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can give you an edge. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team. Don’t miss out on your chance to shine!
We think you need these skills to ace National Account Manager - Buying Groups in Bedford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the National Account Manager role. Highlight your experience with buying groups and any relevant achievements in account management. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past successes with buying groups and how you plan to drive growth at StudySmarter. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen: In your application, demonstrate your strong commercial judgement and ability to analyse data. We’re looking for someone who can make strategic decisions that will benefit our relationships with buying groups and independent merchants.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Let’s get started on this exciting journey together!
How to prepare for a job interview at ASR International
✨Know Your Buying Groups
Before the interview, make sure you research the specific buying groups mentioned in the job description, like NBG and IPG. Understanding their structure, key players, and how they operate will show that you're not just familiar with the industry but also genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences where you've successfully driven sales growth or improved profitability. Use specific examples that highlight your ability to analyse data and make strategic decisions, as this is crucial for the National Account Manager role.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Since this role involves managing multiple senior stakeholders, practice how you'll build relationships during the interview. Think of ways to demonstrate your excellent communication and negotiation skills, perhaps by sharing a story about a successful collaboration with a key account.
✨Prepare for Performance Metrics Discussion
Expect questions around KPIs and how you've met or exceeded them in past roles. Be ready to discuss specific metrics related to volume, value, margin, and EBIT, and how you plan to achieve similar results in this new position.
