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For Companies 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 £ 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 Reading 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 Reading
✨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 online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its key accounts thoroughly. Understand their buying groups and how they operate. We want you to walk in there with confidence, ready to discuss how your experience aligns perfectly with their needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your achievements! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, highlight your past successes in account management and business development. We’re talking numbers here – sales targets met, growth percentages, and any innovative strategies you’ve implemented.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After an interview or networking event, drop a quick thank-you email. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, we all appreciate a little gratitude, right?
We think you need these skills to ace National Account Manager - Buying Groups in Reading
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 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 you’ve 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 directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any updates. We can’t wait to hear from you!
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 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. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to clearly articulate how you achieved your goals and what impact it had on your previous employers.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Be ready to discuss how you analyse data to make strategic decisions. Bring examples of how you've used commercial judgement to drive sales or improve profitability in previous roles. This will highlight your ability to contribute to the company's bottom line.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Since this role involves managing multiple senior stakeholders, practice how you would approach building relationships with them. Think about how you can communicate effectively and engage with different personalities. A friendly, confident approach can go a long way in making a positive impression.
