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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage key accounts and build relationships with buying groups 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 in a dynamic national role.
- Qualifications: Experience in account management and understanding of buying groups is essential.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional development and working with senior stakeholders.
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.
T: 07900 684 888
E: Colin@asr-international.co.uk
W: www.asr-international.co.uk
ASR International specialises in Commercial, Operational and Sales-based roles throughout GB; our expertise lies with manufacturers and distributors within the bathroom, brassware, sanitaryware and interiors sectors for senior-level appointments and Directors.
National Account Manager - Buying Groups in Colchester 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 Colchester
✨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. Share specific examples of how you've driven growth and built relationships in previous roles. This will set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its position in the market. Understand their key accounts and buying groups. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you tailor your answers to show how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly through us means you’ll be in the best position to get noticed. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way in your job search journey!
We think you need these skills to ace National Account Manager - Buying Groups in Colchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the National Account Manager role. Highlight your buying group experience 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 is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've built relationships with buying groups and driven growth in previous positions.
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen: In your application, demonstrate your strong commercial judgement. Include examples of how you've analysed data to make strategic decisions that positively impacted sales and profitability. We love numbers that tell a story!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
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, IPG, and PHG. Understanding their structure, key players, and how they operate will show your potential employer that you're not just familiar with the industry but also genuinely interested in their business.
✨Showcase Your Account Management Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed accounts or driven growth. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you used to maintain relationships and achieve sales targets. This will demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the role effectively.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Brush up on your ability to analyse data and make strategic decisions. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data in previous roles to drive performance. This could involve talking about how you identified growth opportunities or improved margins, which is crucial for this position.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you’ve built relationships with stakeholders in the past. Prepare to share stories that highlight your communication and negotiation skills. This role requires strong stakeholder management, so showing that you can engage effectively with various parties will set you apart.
