At a Glance
- Tasks: Build and maintain strategic relationships with key buying groups and national accounts.
- Company: Join a respected brand in the plumbing and bathroom sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to make an impact.
- Why this job: Drive growth and innovation in a highly visible national role.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in account management and understanding of buying groups.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for professional development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 Β£ 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
National Account Manager - Buying Groups in Norwich employer: ASR International
Contact Detail:
ASR International Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land National Account Manager - Buying Groups in Norwich
β¨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 donβt be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
β¨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or recruiters, make sure to highlight your experience with buying groups and independent merchant networks. Share specific examples of how you've driven growth and built relationships in previous roles.
β¨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by doing your homework! Research the company and its position in the market. Understand their key accounts and buying groups. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
β¨Tip Number 4
Donβt forget to apply through our website! Weβve got loads of opportunities waiting for you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. So, what are you waiting for? Get your application in!
We think you need these skills to ace National Account Manager - Buying Groups in Norwich
Some tips for your application π«‘
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 is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific buying groups you've worked with and how youβve driven growth in previous positions. Let us know what excites you about joining StudySmarter!
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen: In your application, demonstrate your strong commercial judgement and ability to analyse data. Share examples of how you've made strategic decisions that led to successful outcomes. We love seeing candidates who can think critically and drive results!
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 donβt miss out on any important updates. Plus, itβs super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at ASR International
β¨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 your potential employer that you're not just familiar with the industry but also genuinely interested in their business.
β¨Showcase Your Account Management Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed accounts or relationships. Highlight how you drove growth through strategic planning and execution. Use metrics to back up your claims, as numbers speak volumes in sales roles.
β¨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Be ready to discuss how you've used data to make strategic decisions in previous roles. Think about times when you identified cost-saving opportunities or improved profitability. This will illustrate your strong commercial judgement, which is crucial for this position.
β¨Engage with Stakeholders
Since this role involves managing multiple senior stakeholders, prepare to talk about your experience in building and maintaining relationships. Share specific strategies you've used to engage stakeholders effectively and how youβve led performance reviews or collaborative projects.