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- Tasks: Build and manage key relationships with major grocery customers to drive growth.
- Company: Established soft drinks supplier with a strong track record and inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car, annual bonus, private health cover, and pension scheme.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and lead retail expansion in a fast-paced industry.
- Qualifications: Proven experience with top grocery customers and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Flexible working options and excellent career progression opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
About the Company
Our client is an established soft drinks supplier with an enviable track record both UK & Internationally. Promoting taste, authenticity and natural ingredients to its consumers, our client has developed their brands organically into all major channels including On Trade, Off Trade, Online & International. They pride themselves on having an inclusive culture, where Senior Directors and Colleagues work side by side to achieve their goals. Employees benefit from a friendly and professional environment that remains true to its founding values despite years of success.
About the Role
We are looking to hire a Senior National Account Manager to guide this innovation led drinks supplier through its next period of retail expansion. Reporting to the Head of Retail UK&I you will play a pivotal role in delivering the commercial offering, liaising with supermarket customers and internal stakeholders to meet growing consumer demand.
Key Responsibilities
- Relationship Management: Build, nurture, and extend high-value relationships within a major grocery customer (likely Tesco or Sainsburys), acting as a trusted partner to drive mutual growth and deliver outstanding commercial results. P&L 40m NSV
- Team Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement: Manage and influence a broad team of internal and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment and collaboration to achieve shared objectives.
- Joint Business Planning: Develop and execute robust Joint Business Plans (JBPs) that align the company-wide strategic goals with customer objectives, leveraging data-driven insights and market trends.
- Commercial Negotiation: Lead negotiations on commercial terms, promotional plans, and pricing to achieve sales, volume, and profit targets while ensuring effective investment decisions and account profitability.
- Account Performance & P&L Management: Oversee account P&L, analyse financial metrics, and make informed decisions to maximise profitability and sustainable growth.
Qualifications
It is essential that you have a successful track record of building profitable and lasting relationships within top grocery customers. Tesco or Sainsburys exposure would be preferable but working knowledge of wider retail customers on behalf of a recognised food or drinks manufacturer will be considered.
Required Skills
- Confident Communicator: Demonstrates strong communication skills, able to address conflict constructively and engage in challenging conversations with professionalism and empathy.
- Leadership by Example: Sets high standards for self and others, consistently modelling integrity, accountability, and a commitment to excellence.
- Relationship & Rapport Building: Excels at building trust and rapport with colleagues, customers, and stakeholders, fostering collaborative and productive working relationships.
- Organisational & Time Management: Highly organised, with exceptional time management skills; able to prioritise effectively and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
- Analytical & Numerate: Applies analytical thinking and numerical skills to solve problems, make data-driven decisions, and drive commercial success. Candidates with existing supermarket buying or purchasing contacts would also be beneficial.
Preferred Skills
Experience of selling branded food or drink products into major supermarket customers (Ideally JS or Tesco) is essential in this high profile role. Branded Soft Drinks is a dynamic and pacy category, a previous track record in these markets would be favourable and help you get up to speed quickly! The successful candidate must have the ambition and ability to develop into a Head of Retail UK&I in a well resourced but agile drinks supplier within the next career step.
Pay Range and Compensation Package
- Basic Salary: Circa £70,000 - £80,000
- Company Car
- Annual Bonus: 20% OTE
- Private Health Cover
- Contributory Pension Scheme
- Softer Benefits
Location
The successful candidate will be based from a head office and manufacturing facilities near Bristol an average of 2-3 days per week. The role will offer the flexibility for home working. You will also be expected to attend national customer visits and trade events when required.
Interview Process
Screening Calls and Interviews taking place throughout February 2026. Please reach out to info@bluerice.co.uk to register an interest.
Senior National Account Manager in Bristol employer: BLUE RICE - FMCG Talent Selection
Contact Detail:
BLUE RICE - FMCG Talent Selection Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior National Account Manager in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who have ties with major grocery customers like Tesco or Sainsburys. A friendly chat can lead to valuable insights and even job leads.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand their market position and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves commercial negotiations, being able to demonstrate your ability to secure profitable deals will set you apart. Role-play scenarios with a friend to build confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior National Account Manager in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior National Account Manager role. Highlight your experience with major grocery customers like Tesco or Sainsbury's, and showcase your achievements in relationship management and P&L oversight.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Use it to demonstrate your understanding of the soft drinks market and how your skills align with our client's goals for retail expansion.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since strong communication is key for this position, make sure to highlight examples where you've successfully navigated challenging conversations or built rapport with stakeholders. We want to see your confident communicator side!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at BLUE RICE - FMCG Talent Selection
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior National Account Manager, you'll need to be comfortable with P&L management. Brush up on your financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've maximised profitability in previous roles. Bring specific examples of how your analytical skills have driven commercial success.
✨Build Rapport with the Interviewers
Relationship building is key in this role, so show off your communication skills during the interview. Engage with your interviewers, ask insightful questions, and demonstrate your ability to connect with others. This will showcase your potential to build strong relationships with major grocery customers.
✨Prepare for Commercial Negotiations
Expect to discuss your negotiation strategies and experiences. Prepare examples where you successfully led negotiations on pricing or promotional plans. Highlight how you achieved sales targets while ensuring account profitability, as this will resonate well with the company's goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves managing a broad team of stakeholders, so be prepared to talk about your leadership style. Share instances where you've set high standards and modelled integrity and accountability. Emphasise your ability to inspire collaboration and drive results in a fast-paced environment.
