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- Tasks: Drive client relationships and ensure satisfaction while maximising contract retention.
- Company: Join CH&CO, a mindful food experience provider with a focus on quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, personal development, health support, and a great work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by nurturing key client partnerships in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in operations, preferably in hospitality or catering, with strong negotiation skills.
- Other info: Flexible UK location with excellent career growth and a supportive team culture.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
We are CH&CO, proud to take a thoughtful, mindful approach to the food experiences we source, prepare, and present. We are looking for a Strategic Partner to join our team.
About the role:
The Strategic Partner is responsible for the retention and growth of key client relationships, known as Strategic Alliance Group (SAG) accounts, ensuring customer satisfaction and maximising contract retention in CH&CO - (Vacherin, G&G, Company of Cooks). Your accounts will represent approximately 80% of the sector PBIT and will be a maximum of 35 accounts. Reporting to the Director for Strategic Account for CH&CO, the role entails developing and executing strategies to retain high-value contracts, negotiating profitable renewal terms, and collaborating with internal teams to meet client needs. It is crucial in this position that you can build and maintain relationships with several stakeholders including: strategic director, multiple clients, our operations teams across the brands and SMEs in the business such as culinary.
Location: Flexible within the UK but requires good access to London
Salary: £60,000 - £65,000 per annum + amazing benefits
Working Pattern: Monday - Friday, 40 hours/week
Key Responsibilities
- Retention Strategy
- Develop sector-specific plans with commercial and financial objectives using SAG processes (WITY).
- Engage with clients proactively to ensure needs are met, and CH&CO - (Vacherin, G&G, Company of Cooks) continue to deliver value.
- Monitor retention pipelines, collaborating with Regional and Site Managers to prioritise contracts at risk.
- Relationship Management
- Act as the independent point of contact for SAG clients, ensuring that their needs are understood and met.
- Conduct regular client reviews to maintain strong, long-lasting relationships.
- Collaborate with operations and sales teams to drive new business initiatives and innovation, using the Termly Business Review as a vehicle to engage.
- Manage contract renewals and pre-empt contract extensions through strategic interventions.
- Re-tender Process for SAG Accounts
- Lead the re-tender process for major accounts, ensuring the crafting of winning strategies and coordination with operations teams.
- Oversee the bid management process and ensure the proposal meets the client’s Critical Business Issues (CBIs) and WITYs (What’s Important To You).
- Direct the presentation team and all related activity for a successful re-tender outcome.
- Analysis & Reporting
- Collect and analyse client feedback, from third party organisations and WITY conversations, identifying areas for improvement in services and processes.
- Track retention activities and assess their effectiveness, using CRM data for reporting.
- Implement targeted strategies for at-risk clients based on early warning signs identified through data analysis.
- Sales & Growth Opportunities
- Maintain and update CRM systems regularly for all accounts, including non SAG.
- Identify and pursue organic growth opportunities, collaborating with operations and sales teams to drive new business.
- Identify potential for cross sell through additional services i.e. Vending through Amplifi.
- Master of Sales Funnel
- Use WAMS tools to support retention efforts.
- Coach the operations team in using WAMS effectively.
Competencies & Skills
- Customer-Centric Mindset: A commitment to understanding client needs and delivering win-win solutions.
- Commercial Acumen: Strong financial understanding and ability to negotiate contracts that ensure profitability.
- Relationship Building: Ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Resilience: Capable of handling setbacks and remaining focused on goals.
- Negotiation & Problem Solving: Experienced negotiator with the ability to resolve conflicts and develop solutions.
- Time Management & Organisation: Ability to prioritise tasks effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
Qualifications / Experience
- University degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Economics, or related fields is preferred.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in operations, preferably in Hospitality, Food Catering, or Retail sectors.
- Proficiency in CRM software and Microsoft Office Suite.
Person Specification
- Essential: Flexibility, Customer Focus, Resilience, Goal Achievement, Problem Solving, Conflict Management, Planning & Organisation, Interpersonal Skills, Influencing Others.
- Desirable: Developing Others, Continuous Learning, Empathetic Outlook, Creative Thinking.
What’s in it for you?
Working with CH&CO has its perks! People are at the heart of everything we do, so we’ve developed a range of benefits to keep you happy.
- Personal Development and Training opportunities
- Company-funded APMP membership and professional certification training to support continued development
- Life assurance scheme
- Pension scheme
- Holiday allowance
- Access to Healthcare Support App which includes Annual health check, Digital GP, Mental Health Consultations, Nutritional Consultations, Second Medical Opinion
- Eye care
- A great wellbeing strategy - including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance
- Family friendly support
- Regular social events and communication with our leaders
- A holiday purchase scheme
- Volunteering days
- Professional subscriptions
- Recognition schemes and people awards
- Long service awards
- Access to some great high street discount vouchers
Strategic Partner - CH&CO in London employer: CH&CO
Contact Detail:
CH&CO Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Partner - CH&CO in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to current employees at CH&CO. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching CH&CO’s values and recent projects. Show us you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate how your skills align with our mission of delivering thoughtful food experiences. Tailor your responses to reflect our customer-centric mindset.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Strategic Partner, you’ll need to showcase your ability to negotiate profitable terms. Role-play scenarios with friends or mentors to build confidence and refine your approach before the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can leave a lasting impression. Use this opportunity to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and how you can contribute to the success of CH&CO.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Partner - CH&CO in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Strategic Partner role. Highlight your experience in client relationship management and retention strategies, as these are key to what we’re looking for at CH&CO.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills align with our needs. Use examples from your past roles that showcase your customer-centric mindset and commercial acumen.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your points are easy to understand and directly relevant to the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at CH&CO
✨Know Your Clients
Before the interview, research CH&CO and its key clients. Understand their values, services, and recent news. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge of the company and how you can contribute to retaining and growing those strategic accounts.
✨Showcase Your Relationship Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully built and maintained client relationships in the past. Highlight your ability to understand client needs and deliver tailored solutions, as this is crucial for the Strategic Partner role.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Strategy
Think about specific strategies you've implemented in previous roles that led to successful contract renewals or client retention. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach developing sector-specific plans for CH&CO's SAG accounts.
✨Demonstrate Your Negotiation Skills
Since negotiation is a key part of the role, come equipped with examples of successful negotiations you've conducted. Show how you can create win-win situations for both the company and the client, which is essential for maximising contract retention.