Commercial Account Manager

Commercial Account Manager

Full-Time 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
IPS

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage key customer relationships and drive growth in the Home Baking category.
  • Company: Join IPS, part of the Culina Group, known for its innovative culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonus scheme, wellness support, and 25 days holiday.
  • Other info: Inclusive workplace with excellent development opportunities and team culture.
  • Why this job: Be a key player in a thriving company and make a real impact.
  • Qualifications: Experience in account management and strong commercial acumen required.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

IPS (Part of the Culina Group) works with some of the best known brands and provides cost effective and innovative co-packing, co-filling and co-manufacturing solutions within the UK. At Culina we have a winning culture, we believe that our culture is one of the reasons our company continues to thrive. A place where you're valued, challenged, and inspired!

We are seeking a commercially driven and customer-focused Account Manager to manage and grow a portfolio of key retailer and branded customer relationships. This role will have primary ownership of the Home Baking category campaign, a strategically important initiative requiring close, hands-on management, alongside a broader portfolio of customer accounts across additional product categories.

Account Management & Growth
  • Manage and develop key customer relationships, ensuring a consistently high standard of account management across all categories.
  • Develop and execute structured account plans to drive organic growth and identify new commercial opportunities.
  • Build strong strategic partnerships by gaining a deep understanding of customer category strategies, commercial drivers and long-term objectives.
  • Proactively identify and deliver growth opportunities through range expansion, new product development (NPD) and improved commercial structures.
  • Act as a key commercial contact for inbound enquiries, presenting the company proposition effectively and converting opportunities into viable contracts.
  • Analyse customer performance, identify trends and translate insights into clear, commercially viable proposals.
  • Deliver high-quality, insight-led customer presentations that clearly articulate opportunities and recommendations.
  • Lead commercial negotiations, including pricing and contract discussions, ensuring outcomes align with growth and margin targets.
  • Play a key role in enhancing account management capability by embedding structured, commercially focused approaches.
  • Contribute to the development of account management tools, frameworks and governance processes for wider business rollout.
  • Support longer-term commercial strategy alongside senior stakeholders, including the Head of Business Development.
  • Maintain a highly customer-centric approach, ensuring exceptional service delivery and long-term relationship development.
  • Collaborate across the wider commercial network, sharing best practice and contributing to group-wide initiatives.
Commercial Ownership
  • Own and manage customer P&L performance, ensuring delivery against agreed commercial targets.
  • Develop costings in collaboration with operations and site leadership teams.
  • Take ownership of pricing submissions, ensuring accuracy, competitiveness and margin achievement.
  • Agree volumes and commercial terms with customers, balancing growth ambitions with operational capability.
Campaign & Category Delivery
  • Lead the delivery of key campaigns, including analysis of financial and operational performance and implementation of continuous improvements.
  • Deliver year-on-year revenue growth of managed accounts (targeting a minimum of 10%) while maintaining profitable EBIT levels.
  • Identify and develop new business opportunities aligned with the organisation’s strengths.
  • Act as a role model, demonstrating company values and behaviours at all times.
  • Build strong internal relationships with Business Development Managers and Site Leads across the group.
Qualifications
  • Proven experience in account management within FMCG, co-pack, food manufacturing or a similar environment.
  • Experience managing retailer and/or branded customer relationships.
  • Demonstrable success in building strategic partnerships and delivering sustained account growth.
  • Strong commercial acumen, with experience managing P&L, pricing strategies and cost structures.
  • Proven ability to negotiate pricing, secure contracts and convert opportunities into revenue-generating accounts.
  • Experience developing structured account plans and executing growth strategies.
  • Strong project management capability, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams effectively.
  • Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into commercial actions.
  • Strong customer focus, with a commitment to delivering high service standards and building trust.
  • Knowledge of the food industry is desirable.
Core Competencies
  • Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines.
  • Strong customer service and relationship management skills.
  • Knowledge of project management and risk management principles.
  • Strong PowerPoint and presentation skills.
  • Awareness of industry regulations, trends and market dynamics.

As part of our drive to make IPS a great place to work, we are proud to be an inclusive and diverse organisation where we are committed to employee development and recognising success for hard working performers. Our dedicated learning and development programmes are open to every employee to give you the opportunity to shape your own future within logistics and continue to work in an environment where team culture thrives. Our People are the driving force behind our success, which is why we offer a wide range of benefits which include:

  • Annual Leave – Competitive holiday entitlement of 25 days plus the normal bank holidays.
  • Company Bonus – We do our best work to succeed together. When we achieve our goals you’ll be rewarded through our bonus scheme.
  • Pension scheme – we want colleagues to enjoy a comfortable retirement so we offer a great contribution of 4% employee and 4% employer.
  • Life Assurance - 4 x your annual salary.
  • Wellness – Via our Employee Assistance Programme we offer immediate access to a confidential telephone counselling and legal information service that operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
  • Eye Care Vouchers – We can provide you with substantial savings with free eye tests and discounts on prescription glasses.
  • Reward & Recognition – We recognise that employees have gone the extra mile via Employee of the month and year, special recognition and long service awards.
  • Everyday discounts – via our benefit platform you will have access to over 50 retailer discounts for everyday savings!

If you meet the requirements for the above role and are looking for your next career opportunity please apply now and become a part of our #WinningTeam.

Commercial Account Manager employer: IPS

At IPS, part of the Culina Group, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture where every employee is valued and inspired to grow. With a strong focus on professional development, competitive benefits including generous annual leave, a rewarding bonus scheme, and a commitment to employee wellness, we ensure that our team members thrive both personally and professionally. Join us in a dynamic environment where your contributions directly impact our success and where you can build meaningful relationships with some of the best-known brands in the industry.

IPS

Contact Details:

IPS Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Commercial Account Manager

Leverage Your Network

In sales and business development, who you know can often be as important as what you know. Get involved with local networking events or industry meetups to connect with key players. Don't be shy—share your passion for the field and let folks know you're on the lookout for opportunities!

Show Your Skills Through Real-World Results

When targeting a full-time role like Commercial Account Manager at IPS, presenting tangible results from your previous sales experience can set you apart. Bring along case studies or examples of how you've closed deals or expanded accounts, and don't forget to showcase your problem-solving prowess. It’s all about quantifying your success!

Engage with Sales Communities

Dive deep into online sales communities, like Sales Hacker or LinkedIn groups dedicated to sales professionals. Engaging in discussions and sharing insights can boost your visibility and might just put you on the radar of hiring managers looking for fresh talent in business development.

Direct Applications Matter

While we all know the online application route, consider sending direct applications to companies you admire, including IPS. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a Commercial Account Manager. Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!

We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Account Manager

Account Management
Customer Relationship Management
Commercial Acumen
P&L Management
Pricing Strategy
Negotiation Skills
Growth Strategy Development

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Those Sales Skills:In your CV and cover letter, highlight any previous sales or business development experience you have. Use numbers and examples to showcase your achievements – did you exceed sales targets or bring in new clients? Make those accomplishments shine!

Tailor Your Message for IPS:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for IPS. Show that you know the company’s mission and how your skills align with their goals in the sales landscape. This personalised touch will grab their attention!

Keep It Professional Yet Engaging:Sales is all about relationships, so while you want to maintain professionalism in your application, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Engage the reader and demonstrate your enthusiastic approach to sales and business development!

Proof of Performance:Include any relevant certifications or training you’ve undertaken in sales or negotiation tactics. If you’ve attended workshops or courses, list these to showcase your commitment to professional development. This extra touch can set you apart from the competition!

How to prepare for a job interview at IPS

Know Your Sales Methodologies

Brush up on popular sales methodologies like SPIN Selling or Challenger Sales. Being able to discuss these techniques and how you've applied them will show IPS that you understand the role and can hit the ground running in the sales game.

Demonstrate Your Deal-Making Skills

Prepare to share stories from your past experiences where you closed deals, overcame objections, or started new client relationships. We want to show IPS that you’re not just about numbers but also about building lasting connections in business development.

Prepare for Role-Play Scenarios

In a full-time sales interview, don’t be surprised if they throw in a role-play exercise to test your pitching skills. Practising how you would pitch a product or handle an objection will help us shine in this simulation—think of it like a dress rehearsal for your future sales calls!

Align Your Goals with the Company’s Vision

Take a moment to reflect on how your career ambitions align with IPS’s objectives. When we articulate how our personal growth ties in with the company’s goals, it shows commitment and a genuine interest in contributing to their success.