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 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
- Business Development
- 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
- Marketing & Promotions
- 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
- Stakeholder Engagement
- 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
- Operational Excellence
- 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.
National Account Manager - Buying Groups in Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth
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 help you land that National Account Manager role!
β¨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 β itβll set you apart from the competition.
β¨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its key accounts thoroughly. Understand their market position and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their success. Tailor your answers to reflect your knowledge of the independent merchant landscape and buying group dynamics.
β¨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! Weβve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can give you an edge. Plus, it shows youβre genuinely interested in joining our team. Donβt miss out on your chance to shine!
We think you need these skills to ace National Account Manager - Buying Groups in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application π«‘
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 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 numbers that back up your claims!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. Itβs the best way for us to receive your application and ensures youβre considered for the role. Plus, it shows us youβre keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at ASR International
β¨Know Your Buying Groups
Make sure you do your homework on the specific buying groups mentioned in the job description, like NBG, IPG, and PHG. Understanding their structure and how they operate will show that you're not just interested in the role, but that youβre genuinely invested in their success.
β¨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Prepare 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 role.
β¨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Think about how you can demonstrate your relationship-building skills during the interview. Be ready to share stories of how you've engaged with key stakeholders in the past and how you plan to maintain those relationships moving forward.
β¨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, such as managing a challenging account or launching a new product. Practise your responses to these scenarios, focusing on your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.