At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the charge with Sainsbury’s, driving growth and managing key accounts.
- Company: Join Ferrero, a global leader in sweet-packaged foods with iconic brands.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, career development, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for creativity and innovation in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact with beloved brands like Nutella and Kinder.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing grocery accounts and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 € per year.
About the Role: Join Ferrero as our next National Account Manager – Sainsburys! We’re on the lookout for a passionate and results-driven National Account Manager to take ownership and lead the charge with one of the UK’s most iconic grocery retailers – Sainsbury’s. This is your chance to make a big impact with some of the nation’s most loved brands, from Ferrero Rocher and Kinder to Nutella and beyond.
In this high-profile role, you’ll be at the heart of a dynamic, fast-paced team, working alongside the Sainsbury’s Group Business Unit Controller. Together, you’ll forge powerful partnerships, drive ambitious growth plans, and deliver stand-out performance across Ferrero’s premium portfolio. You’ll be influencing key decisions, collaborating with top-tier internal and external stakeholders, and playing a vital part in shaping Ferrero’s success in the UK retail landscape.
Main Responsibilities: As a National Account Manager – Sainsbury’s at Ferrero, potentially looking after Boxed and/or AYR Confectionery, you will be at the forefront of one of our most important strategic partnerships in the UK grocery sector. You’ll take full ownership of the Sainsbury’s account, developing and executing commercially astute, insight-led business plans that align Ferrero’s Country Commercial Policy with Sainsbury’s evolving priorities across both in-store and online channels.
With full P&L responsibility, you’ll be responsible for driving sales, growing revenue, and optimising profitability across Ferrero’s premium brand portfolio. Your deep understanding of trade terms, margin dynamics, promotional effectiveness, and budget control will enable you to make bold, data-informed decisions that fuel sustained growth.
Acting as the key liaison for all things Ferrero within the Sainsbury’s ecosystem, you’ll build strong, established relationships with senior Buyers, Category Managers, and key cross-functional partners internally. Your ability to influence and collaborate will be vital as you shape and implement robust Joint Business Plans (JBPs) that unlock shared value and bring commercial and brand strategies to life.
You’ll lead the charge on planning and executing impactful promotional and visibility initiatives that strengthen Ferrero’s presence on the shelf and in the minds of consumers - driving conversion in-store and across digital platforms. Accurate forecasting, performance tracking, and timely reporting will be essential as you adjust course and capitalise on opportunities in real time.
This role offers the chance to work cross-team with a high-performing internal network, including Trade Marketing, Category Management, Finance, Demand Planning, Ecommerce, Marketing, and Net Revenue Management. You’ll also stay one step ahead of the market through continuous analysis of shopper behaviour, category trends, and competitor activity - turning insight into innovation and maintaining Ferrero’s leadership in a fast-moving retail landscape.
About You: At Ferrero, we’re searching for a commercially sharp, results-oriented professional with a strong track record of managing top UK grocery accounts - ideally within FMCG, and preferably with experience on high-profile retailers. This role includes line management responsibility, with a National Account Executive reporting to you, requiring you to train and upskill a new team member from scratch. You will need to be highly creative in your thinking and execution, bringing fresh and innovative approaches to how you operate and deliver results.
A strong interest in working across multiple categories within Ferrero is essential, alongside the ability to deliver a cohesive Masterbrand approach that connects across the portfolio. You should also be passionate about selling new product development, thriving on the excitement of engaging customers and bringing innovation to life as part of your commercial delivery.
Excellent communication skills are critical, as you will be expected to work collaboratively across teams to coordinate and lead Joint Business Plan discussions, requiring a dynamic and flexible approach. In addition, it would also be beneficial to potentially have expertise within the boxed chocolate category, or strong desire to develop deep category knowledge. You should be comfortable working with a category lens, using data and insights to inform strategy while demonstrating leadership within the category.
The role also requires the ability to quickly build strong, long-term relationships, acting with pace and precision. Experience in turning around challenging or strained partnerships into positive, high-performing collaborations would be highly advantageous. Finally, you should be confident in handling complexity, with the ability to simplify challenges, operate effectively in ambiguous situations, and ultimately deliver clear, winning outcomes.
Our Benefits & Perks: Careers with caring built in - discover our benefits here.
About Ferrero: Ferrero began its journey in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food companies, with many iconic brands sold in countries all over the world. Find out more about Ferrero at ferrero.com.
DE&I at Ferrero: Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative, and highly rewarding.
National Account Manager - Sainsburys employer: Copyright.Ferrero.2022
Ferrero is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. As a National Account Manager for Sainsbury's, you'll enjoy the opportunity to lead impactful initiatives while benefiting from comprehensive training and development programmes that support your career growth. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, Ferrero ensures that every employee feels valued and empowered to contribute to the success of some of the UK's most beloved brands.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land National Account Manager - Sainsburys
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to current or former employees at Ferrero. A friendly chat can open doors you didn’t even know existed!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research Ferrero’s brands, their market position, and recent news. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around Sainsbury’s. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re the one they need!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online resources to refine your answers. Focus on showcasing your achievements and how you’ve driven results in previous roles. Confidence is key, so get comfortable talking about your successes!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to reiterate your interest in the role and keep you top of mind. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and genuinely excited about the position!
We think you need these skills to ace National Account Manager - Sainsburys
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about working with iconic brands like Ferrero Rocher and Nutella. Share why this position at Sainsbury’s is the perfect fit for you.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in managing grocery accounts, especially within FMCG. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate a strong track record, so be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities of the National Account Manager role.
Be Data-Driven:Since this role involves making bold, data-informed decisions, don’t shy away from showcasing your analytical skills. Include examples of how you've used data to drive sales or improve profitability in previous roles. We love numbers that tell a story!
Keep It Professional Yet Personal:While we appreciate professionalism, we also value authenticity. Use a friendly tone in your application to reflect your personality. Remember, we’re not just looking for qualifications; we want to know the real you! Apply through our website to make it official.
How to prepare for a job interview at Copyright.Ferrero.2022
✨Know Your Brands Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re well-versed in Ferrero’s product portfolio, especially the brands you'll be managing like Ferrero Rocher and Nutella. Understanding their market positioning and recent campaigns will help you demonstrate your passion and knowledge during the conversation.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare to discuss how you would develop and execute insight-led business plans for Sainsbury’s. Think about specific examples from your past experience where you’ve successfully driven sales or improved profitability, and be ready to share these strategies with the interviewers.
✨Build Relationships on Paper
Since relationship-building is key in this role, come prepared with examples of how you've successfully collaborated with stakeholders in previous positions. Highlight any experience you have in turning around challenging partnerships into successful collaborations, as this will resonate well with the team.
✨Be Data-Driven
Familiarise yourself with key metrics that drive success in account management, such as P&L responsibility and promotional effectiveness. Be ready to discuss how you use data to inform your decisions and adjust strategies in real-time, showcasing your analytical skills and commercial acumen.
