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 opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving growth and innovation in a national role.
- Qualifications: Experience in account management and understanding of buying groups is essential.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with strong stakeholder engagement and operational excellence.
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 Crawley 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 Crawley
✨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 resources to help you ace your job search. Plus, applying directly means you’ll be in the best position to showcase your skills and experience to the right people. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace National Account Manager - Buying Groups in Crawley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of National Account Manager. Highlight your buying group experience and any relevant achievements in plumbing or bathroom sectors. 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 tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific buying groups you've worked with and how you’ve driven growth in previous positions. Let your personality come through!
Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills: In your application, emphasise your ability to build relationships with key stakeholders. Share examples of how you've successfully managed multiple senior stakeholders in the past. We love seeing those strong communication skills in action!
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
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 how you maintained relationships and achieved sales targets, as this is crucial for the role. Use metrics to quantify your success, as numbers speak volumes!
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Brush up on your ability to analyse data and make strategic decisions. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you've used data to drive performance in previous roles. This will highlight your strong commercial judgement, which is essential for managing profitability and margins.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since the role involves managing multiple senior stakeholders, think of ways you've successfully built relationships in the past. Prepare to share stories about how you’ve led performance reviews or collaborated with marketing teams to execute effective campaigns. This will showcase your excellent communication and relationship-building skills.