National Account Manager - 1 day a week in Derby
National Account Manager - 1 day a week

National Account Manager - 1 day a week in Derby

Derby Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead negotiations and drive growth for a leading brand across Pharmacy, Grocery, and Wholesale.
  • Company: Dynamic company with a focus on sustainable and profitable growth.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional development.
  • Why this job: Take ownership of a brand and make a real impact in a competitive market.
  • Qualifications: Experience in FMCG, strong negotiation skills, and a track record of driving sales.
  • Other info: UK-wide role with travel opportunities and a collaborative team environment.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Our client, with offices in Banbury and Ireland, is seeking a commercially driven, resilient National Account Manager to take full ownership of one of its brands across Pharmacy, Grocery, and Wholesale. This role is for someone who is comfortable leading tough buyer negotiations, fighting for listings, and defending margin in highly competitive categories. You will be accountable for performance, distribution, and profitability, not just relationship management.

Reporting to the Business Unit Director, you will own the national commercial agenda for the brand and play a key role in driving sustainable, profitable growth across UK bricks-and-mortar retail.

Key Responsibilities
  • Full accountability for sales performance, distribution, and profitability of the brand across UK bricks-and-mortar retail.
  • Own and deliver the customer P&L, ensuring growth is achieved while protecting margin.
  • Lead high-stakes commercial negotiations with grocery multiples, national pharmacy chains & wholesalers.
  • Win, defend, and expand listings, including range reviews, re-listings, NPD sell-ins, and promotional space.
  • Manage national accounts, wholesalers, multiples, and pharmacy groups to deliver significant, sustainable, and profitable growth.
  • Develop and execute robust account plans and JBPs, aligned to overall business strategy.
  • Challenge buyers constructively to secure optimal pricing, trade terms, promotions, and distribution.
  • Identify and deliver new business opportunities through new customers, new channels, and new product launches.
  • Lead the commercial agenda internally, identifying opportunities and risks within the P&L.
  • Maintain accurate forecasting and reporting on sales, volume, margin, and promotional performance (monthly, quarterly, annual).
  • Ensure compliance with agreed commercial terms and manage customer trackers for key brands and products.
  • Evaluate promotional effectiveness and adapt promotional strategy on a monthly and quarterly basis.
  • Act as the primary commercial interface between customers and internal teams, including close collaboration with E-Commerce and cross-functional stakeholders.
  • Take ownership of cross-functional execution, setting clear standards of accountability and commercial behaviour.
Experience & Skills Required
  • Proven experience as a National Account Manager or Senior Key Account Manager within FMCG, ideally across Grocery and Pharmacy.
  • Demonstrable track record of winning and defending listings with UK multiples, wholesalers, and pharmacy groups.
  • Strong experience negotiating commercial terms, pricing, margins, and promotions in competitive retail environments.
  • Solid understanding of the UK OTC and healthcare landscape, including key customer structures and routes to market.
  • Experience onboarding new retail customers and launching new brands or products into market.
  • Strong customer P&L ownership experience.
  • Commercial confidence and resilience — able to challenge buyers and internal stakeholders to achieve the right outcome.
  • Ability to assess a brand commercially and build a clear, executable growth strategy.
  • Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills; credible at buyer level.
  • Highly numerate, with strong Excel, PowerPoint, and Power BI capability.
Additional Information

This is a UK-wide role with potential customer travel and occasional attendance at the Banbury office. Suitable for candidates who enjoy competitive negotiations, taking ownership, and driving outcomes rather than maintaining the status quo.

Please contact Matt Hartwell on 07301 283663 or email your CV to matt.hartwell@forcerecruitment.com for a confidential discussion.

National Account Manager - 1 day a week in Derby employer: Force Recruitment and Outsourcing

Our client is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters resilience and commercial acumen. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, team members are encouraged to take ownership of their roles while enjoying the unique advantage of working in Banbury, where collaboration and innovation thrive. The company values competitive spirit and provides opportunities for meaningful contributions to the brand's success across the UK retail landscape.
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Contact Detail:

Force Recruitment and Outsourcing Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land National Account Manager - 1 day a week in Derby

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the company inside out! Research their products, values, and recent news. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in what they do.

✨Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can give you insider tips and might even put in a good word for you. Plus, it’s a great way to learn about the company culture.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for those tough questions! Think about how you would handle high-stakes negotiations or defend margins. Practise your responses so you can showcase your commercial confidence during interviews.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!

We think you need these skills to ace National Account Manager - 1 day a week in Derby

Commercial Negotiation
Account Management
P&L Management
Sales Performance Analysis
Distribution Strategy
Market Understanding
Stakeholder Management
Customer Relationship Management
Promotional Strategy Evaluation
Data Analysis (Excel, Power BI)
Growth Strategy Development
Resilience
Influencing Skills
Cross-Functional Collaboration

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Commercial Savvy: When writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience in managing P&L and driving sales performance. We want to see how you've tackled tough negotiations and secured listings in competitive environments.

Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We love seeing candidates who take the time to align their background with what we’re looking for.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and fluff. Make it easy for us to see why you’re the right fit for the National Account Manager role.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Force Recruitment and Outsourcing

✨Know Your Numbers

As a National Account Manager, you'll need to be highly numerate. Brush up on your P&L management skills and be ready to discuss specific figures from your past experiences. Prepare to explain how you've driven profitability and growth in previous roles.

✨Master the Art of Negotiation

Given the competitive nature of this role, practice your negotiation techniques. Think of examples where you've successfully defended margins or secured listings. Be prepared to role-play tough negotiations during the interview to showcase your resilience and commercial confidence.

✨Understand the Market Landscape

Familiarise yourself with the UK OTC and healthcare landscape. Research key players in the grocery and pharmacy sectors, and be ready to discuss how you would approach these markets. Showing that you understand the routes to market will impress your interviewers.

✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking

Prepare to talk about how you've developed and executed account plans in the past. Highlight your ability to identify new business opportunities and adapt strategies based on market conditions. This will demonstrate your proactive approach and strategic mindset, which are crucial for this role.

National Account Manager - 1 day a week in Derby
Force Recruitment and Outsourcing
Location: Derby

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