National Account Manager in Newtownabbey

Job Title: National Account Manager (NI)

Department: Commercial / Sales

Reports To: Commercial Director / Head of Sales

Overview

We are a premium brand-building business operating across the Irish FMCG market, focused on developing and growing high-quality brands through strong customer partnerships and innovative commercial strategies. We are seeking a National Account Manager (NI) to accelerate business growth across a designated customer base by building strong commercial relationships and delivering customer-focused business plans across a portfolio of categories and brands.

This role works closely with Brand, Trade Marketing, Business Development, Supply Chain, and Commercial Finance teams to deliver sustainable, profitable growth.

Role Purpose

The National Account Manager will be responsible for developing and executing customer business plans, trade activation strategies, and promotional calendars to deliver volume, revenue, and contribution targets across key customers in Northern Ireland.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Performance & Growth

• Deliver annual volume, revenue, and contribution targets across assigned accounts.
• Build, develop, and maintain strong commercial relationships with key customers.
• Proactively identify and open new distribution and growth opportunities.

Account & Financial Management

• Maintain accurate customer price files, including list pricing, promotions, retrospectives, and CPI delivery.
• Work closely with Commercial Finance to manage Joint Business Plans (JBPs) and promotional spend, ensuring optimal ROI.
• Regularly review and analyse promotional and trade spend to drive continuous improvement.

Range, NPD & Availability

• Ensure core and extended ranges are fully available across customers.
• Secure timely listings for all new product development launches.
• Work with Brand and Category teams to identify distribution and sales growth opportunities.

Forecasting, Planning & Supply Chain

• Complete accurate monthly sales forecasts by SKU and forecast centre to support demand planning.
• Collaborate regularly with Supply Chain to positively influence inventory management and service levels.

Internal Collaboration & Communication

• Ensure timely and effective communication with Field Sales teams on customer developments, including listings, promotions, availability, and range reviews.
• Work closely with Brand, Trade Marketing, Insights, and Business Development teams to execute customer plans at store level.

General Responsibilities

• Complete additional tasks and projects as required by management.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Essential

• Extensive sales and customer management experience within retail or wholesale channels.
• Proven FMCG experience, with food and drink sector experience essential.
• Strong commercial awareness with excellent negotiation skills.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• High level of IT proficiency, particularly Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

Desirable Attributes

• Creative and innovative mindset with the ability to think beyond conventional approaches.
• Strong planning, organisational, and leadership skills.
• Resilient, self-starting, and results-driven with an entrepreneurial approach.
• Passion for consumer trends and brand building within the Irish marketplace.