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 an 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
National Account Manager - Buying Groups in Wolverhampton 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 Wolverhampton
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 to reach out to potential contacts. You never know who might help you land that National Account Manager role!
β¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the buying groups youβll be working with. Understand their needs and how your experience aligns with their goals. This will show youβre not just another candidate but someone whoβs genuinely interested in making an impact.
β¨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You need to be able to communicate your value clearly and confidently. Role-play with a friend or in front of a mirror. Make sure you can articulate how your skills in account management and stakeholder engagement will drive growth for the company.
β¨Tip Number 4
Donβt forget to apply through our website! Weβve got loads of resources to help you stand out. Plus, applying directly shows your enthusiasm for the role and gives us a chance to see your application first-hand. Letβs get you that job!
We think you need these skills to ace National Account Manager - Buying Groups in Wolverhampton
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of National Account Manager. 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 tell us why you're passionate about the plumbing and bathroom sector and how your skills align with our needs. Keep it engaging and personal β we love a good story!
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen: In your application, donβt forget to demonstrate your strong commercial judgement. Share examples of how you've driven growth or improved profitability in previous roles. Weβre looking for someone who can think strategically!
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!
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 recent developments will show that you're not just familiar with the industry but also genuinely interested in the role.
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 collaboration, as this is crucial for the National Account Manager position.
β¨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Be ready to discuss how you've used data to make strategic decisions in previous roles. Bring examples of how you've analysed performance metrics to drive sales and profitability, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
β¨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've built and maintained relationships with key stakeholders in your past roles. Prepare to share specific strategies you've used to engage with different levels of management, as strong stakeholder management is essential for this position.