At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive sales and build strong relationships with key retail accounts in the chocolate industry.
- Company: Join a premium chocolate brand committed to ethical farming and exceptional quality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on innovation and customer partnerships.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the chocolate market while working with passionate partners.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in managing national retail accounts and strong commercial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 € per year.
Today, we work directly with farming partners who share our commitment to growing cocoa The Islands Way: with respect for people, place and craft. Farmed, fermented and crafted with a flavour-first approach, our chocolate is trusted by the UK’s leading baristas, bakers, chefs and connoisseurs.
The Senior National Account Manager will take full ownership of Islands Chocolate’s retail channel, managing and growing relationships across key accounts including major grocers, online retailers, and independent outlets. This is a highly commercial role focused on driving sales, increasing brand presence, and building strong, long-term partnerships. You’ll combine strategic thinking with hands-on execution to deliver growth across all retail formats.
- Fully own and proactively manage all retail accounts across grocery, online and wholesale.
- Build strong, cross-functional relationships with key customer contacts (buying, supply chain, category, marketing, e-commerce).
- Expand distribution and product range across all formats (main estate, convenience, online, cafés, front of store).
- Maximise sales performance through effective use of customer systems (availability, compliance, promotions, ranging).
- Deliver standout in-store and online visibility through activation (POS, secondary displays, sampling, digital placements).
Account Management & Commercial Growth
- Develop and execute joint business plans with key retail customers to deliver sustainable growth.
- Identify opportunities to increase distribution, product range, and brand visibility across all retail channels.
- Lead commercial discussions and support negotiations relating to pricing, promotional activity, and trading terms.
- Relationship building - build trusted, long-term partnerships with key stakeholders across customer organisations.
- Take full ownership of the retail channel P&L.
- Monitor performance against targets and implement corrective actions where required.
- Monitor competitor activity, category trends, and retailer performance to inform strategy.
Promotions & Shopper Marketing
- Build and execute commercially effective promotional plans aligned to key trading periods.
- Collaborate with marketing teams to deliver compelling shopper marketing initiatives both in-store and online.
- Analyse campaign and promotional performance to optimise future activity and ROI.
- Work closely with marketing, supply chain, finance, and operations teams to ensure seamless execution across accounts.
- Support successful product launches and new product development initiatives with retail partners.
Proven experience managing and growing national retail or FMCG accounts. Strong commercial acumen with experience owning or influencing P&L performance. Demonstrated track record of delivering measurable sales and margin growth. Confident negotiator with resilience, credibility, and strong relationship management skills. Strong analytical capability with the ability to turn data into actionable insights. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. Passion for premium food brands and building exceptional customer partnerships.
Senior sales & key account manager in London employer: Islands Chocolate
At Islands Chocolate, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values innovation, collaboration, and personal growth. Our vibrant work culture fosters creativity and encourages employees to take ownership of their roles, particularly in the Senior Sales & Key Account Manager position, where you will have the opportunity to drive significant impact within the retail sector. With a commitment to sustainability and quality, we offer competitive benefits, professional development opportunities, and a supportive environment that empowers you to thrive in your career while making a meaningful contribution to our mission of crafting premium chocolate with integrity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior sales & key account manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to potential contacts. You never know who might help you land that dream role!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Create a personal brand that highlights your experience in account management and sales. Use platforms like LinkedIn to share insights, articles, or even your thoughts on industry trends. This will position you as a knowledgeable candidate.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Understand their products and market position. This will not only impress your interviewers but also help you tailor your answers to show how you can drive growth for them.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals who align with our values. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. So, get your application in and let’s grow together!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior sales & key account manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for premium food brands shine through. We want to see how much you care about building exceptional customer partnerships and driving sales in the chocolate industry.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience managing national retail or FMCG accounts. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate a track record of delivering measurable sales and margin growth, so be specific about your achievements!
Be Strategic:In your application, showcase your strategic thinking skills. We want to know how you’ve developed and executed joint business plans with key retail customers to deliver sustainable growth. Think about how you can apply this to our brand!
Keep It Professional Yet Personal:While we love a friendly tone, remember to keep it professional. Use clear language and structure your application well. And don’t forget to apply through our website – it’s the best way to get your foot in the door with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Islands Chocolate
✨Know Your Chocolate
Familiarise yourself with Islands Chocolate's products and their unique selling points. Understand the flavour-first approach and how it differentiates them in the market. This knowledge will help you connect with the interviewers and demonstrate your passion for premium food brands.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Prepare to discuss your experience with managing P&L performance and driving sales growth. Bring specific examples of how you've successfully executed joint business plans or promotional strategies in previous roles. This will highlight your ability to deliver measurable results.
✨Build Relationships, Even in the Interview
Emphasise your relationship-building skills during the interview. Share stories about how you've developed long-term partnerships with key stakeholders in past positions. This will show that you understand the importance of collaboration across functions like marketing, supply chain, and finance.
✨Be Data-Driven
Demonstrate your analytical capabilities by discussing how you've used data to inform your strategies. Prepare to talk about how you've monitored competitor activity and category trends to optimise performance. This will illustrate your strategic thinking and hands-on execution skills.
