National Account Manager in Blackburn

Welcome to Graham & Brown Holdings – a family of companies founded in 1946. For 80 years we have inspired people to think differently about their homes through creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation. Across both Graham & Brown and G&B Home Living our vision is simple: to design our future, and our mission is clear: to help our customers create loving homes.

As a trusted category partner, G&B Home Living collaborates with leading DIY and home retailers, as well as independent specialists, to deliver beautifully curated ranges at exceptional value. Our house brands provide design-rich solutions at affordable prices, while our licensed collections cater to every style and taste. Discover the breadth of our offering through our online platform, No Two Houses, where inspiration meets versatility.

You will take responsibility for a portfolio of National customer accounts, ensuring that sales, margin and profit targets are met. You will work with a high level of autonomy, ensuring the correct commercial decisions are made for the benefit of the business, and in line with the overall sales strategy for the business channel area. You will ensure that customer needs are supported to the highest professional standard.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Defining a visionary approach plan for your targeted accounts, targeting them and winning supply within the agreed timeframe, and providing regular feedback on progress and development.
• Growing company turnover, profitability and reputation in these new accounts through the consistent delivery of strong performances and results, and exploring new ongoing opportunities.
• Defining and agreeing on ongoing development and business size and profitability through the Annual Development Plan, signed off in conjunction with the Budget process each year.
• Developing and maintaining a multi-dimensional relationship with targeted accounts, ensuring all target customers are serviced well through regular personal contact.
• Leading, motivating and collaborating with colleagues across several departments, including Product, Design, Warehouse and Sales Admin, to support your areas of responsibility.
• Controlling net contribution within your accounts to budgeted levels or better, through regular review with the Finance Team, and quality appraisal of new development opportunities through the company’s ROI system.
• Ensuring customer debts are paid on time.
• Advising other colleagues such as Marketing and Design, of all major product developments within your customer base.
• Operating your business dealing in accordance with the company’s Collaboration Charter values at all times.

What we are looking for:

• Considerable experience in a National Account position and a strong proven track record in sales development with the major targeted accounts.
• Strong working experience of design and colour / affinity with creative businesses, with experience gained in the clothing or home fashion sectors, or perhaps creative agencies.
• Must be able to define approach plans for targets, secure appointments, secure sales with the key decision makers, and develop business with them in a long term, category management approach.
• A sound financial awareness of sales, margin, costs and P&L’s.
• Able to lead negotiations on price and trading terms.
• Competent computer skills, to include Excel, Word and PowerPoint, and be able to learn the company’s IT Systems.
• Ability to work at various levels within targeted accounts, from the administrators to the senior buying roles.
• Ability to work across a broad number of people and business functions within Graham & Brown.
• Be a good fit into the Graham & Brown Collaboration culture.

While your main place of work will be at our Blackburn head office, you must be prepared to visit customers when required, which on occasion may require an overnight stay away from home.

What’s In It For You:

• 32 days of holiday (inclusive of bank holidays).
• Hybrid working – work from home one day per week.
• Flexi-time working – because we believe in work-life balance.
• Your birthday off – take the day to celebrate you.
• Up to 60% discount on our stunning products – perfect for your next home makeover.
• A generous 10% pension scheme – we invest in your future.
• Life assurance for added peace of mind.
• Free on-site parking and access to company vehicles for business use.
• Fun, inclusive social events organised by our brilliant in-house Fun Squad.