At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage key grocery retail accounts and lead commercial activities.
- Company: Join a fast-growing, award-winning chilled and frozen food manufacturer.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive day rate, remote work, and covered business expenses.
- Why this job: Be part of an innovative team with ambitious growth plans and impactful projects.
- Qualifications: Experience as a National Account Manager in UK retail is essential.
- Other info: This is an interim role with immediate start and flexible working arrangements.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
An exciting interim opportunity has arisen to join one of the UK’s fastest-growing chilled & frozen food manufacturers. This award-winning business is known for its innovative approach to high quality, private label value-added products across meat, vegetarian, and dairy categories. With a significant footprint in the grocery retail and foodservice channels—and ambitious plans for continued growth, the business is seeking an experienced Interim National Account Manager to provide vital commercial support while the search for a permanent hire is underway.
The Role
As Interim National Account Manager, you’ll take responsibility for a portfolio of major grocery retail accounts, leading all commercial activity from day-to-day relationship management through to strategic planning and performance delivery. Reporting to the Head of Grocery and supported by a National Account Executive, you’ll collaborate cross-functionally with NPD, Supply Chain, and Finance teams to ensure excellent execution, launch new products, and maintain high levels of customer satisfaction.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage and grow key UK grocery retail customer accounts on an interim basis
- Lead commercial negotiations, set account strategy, and manage P&L performance
- Deliver against budgeted sales and margin targets, ensuring strong forecasting
- Support customer-focused NPD initiatives and innovation pipelines
- Monitor market trends and competitor activity to inform commercial decisions
- Provide commercial continuity and internal leadership during the interim period
What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience as a National Account Manager with UK retail exposure
- Background in private label chilled or frozen food (preferred)
- Demonstrable experience working with cross-functional teams including NPD
- Commercially astute with strong negotiation, planning, and communication skills
- Self-motivated and capable of managing key accounts independently
- Able to hit the ground running and provide immediate value
Location
This is a fully remote role, with regular customer meetings and an expectation to attend the South West head office two days per fortnight (overnight accommodation provided where needed).
Contact
For further information or a confidential discussion, contact Aidan Goodall on 01943 667280 or email aidan@fmcgselection.co.uk
National Account Manager - Interim employer: FMCG Selection
Contact Detail:
FMCG Selection Recruiting Team
aidan@fmcgselection.co.uk
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land National Account Manager - Interim
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the FMCG sector, especially those who have experience in chilled and frozen food. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn more about the company culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the latest trends in the grocery retail market, particularly around private label products. Being knowledgeable about current market dynamics will help you stand out during discussions with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences managing key accounts and how you've successfully led commercial negotiations. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to deliver results and drive growth.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with the company's product range and recent innovations. Showing genuine interest in their offerings and how you can contribute to their success will make a positive impression.
We think you need these skills to ace National Account Manager - Interim
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience as a National Account Manager, particularly in the chilled or frozen food sectors. Emphasise your achievements in managing grocery retail accounts and any cross-functional collaboration.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the role and the company. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed key accounts and delivered on sales targets in previous positions.
Highlight Key Skills: In your application, clearly outline your negotiation, planning, and communication skills. Provide examples of how these skills have led to successful outcomes in your past roles.
Show Enthusiasm for the Role: Express your excitement about the opportunity to work with an innovative company in the food industry. Mention your readiness to hit the ground running and provide immediate value during the interim period.
How to prepare for a job interview at FMCG Selection
✨Know Your Accounts
Before the interview, research the major grocery retail accounts you'll be managing. Understand their business models, recent news, and how they align with the company's products. This will show your preparedness and genuine interest in the role.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration
Be ready to discuss your experience working with cross-functional teams. Highlight specific examples where you collaborated with NPD, Supply Chain, or Finance to achieve successful outcomes. This is crucial for the role, so make it a focal point in your responses.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare to share examples of successful negotiations you've led in the past. Discuss your strategies and how you achieved favourable outcomes for both parties. This will demonstrate your commercial acumen and ability to manage key accounts effectively.
✨Understand Market Trends
Familiarise yourself with current market trends in the chilled and frozen food sectors. Be prepared to discuss how these trends could impact the business and suggest innovative ideas for product development or customer engagement that align with these insights.