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: Be part of a mission-driven company that values people, place, and craft.
- 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.
Sr Sales & Account Manager in London employer: Islands Chocolate
Islands Chocolate is an exceptional employer that values its employees and fosters a collaborative work culture focused on growth and innovation. With a commitment to sustainability and quality, we offer our team members the opportunity to work with premium food brands while building meaningful relationships across the retail sector. Our location provides a vibrant environment for professional development, ensuring that every employee can thrive and contribute to our mission of delivering outstanding chocolate products to discerning customers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sr Sales & 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 website or LinkedIn profile that highlights your achievements and experience in account management and sales. Use it as a platform to share insights about the industry and demonstrate your passion for premium food brands.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Understand their products and market position, and think about how you can contribute to their growth. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in our mission. Make sure to follow up after applying to express your enthusiasm and keep your name fresh in our minds. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Sr Sales & Account Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for premium food brands shine through. We want to see that you share our commitment to quality and craftsmanship, just like we do at StudySmarter.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in managing national retail accounts or FMCG. We love seeing how your background aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on those achievements!
Be Data-Driven:Since this role involves a lot of analysis, showcase your analytical skills. Mention specific examples where you've turned data into actionable insights to drive sales or improve performance.
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 to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Islands Chocolate
✨Know Your Chocolate
Make sure you understand the brand and its values. Familiarise yourself with Islands Chocolate’s commitment to quality and sustainability. Being able to discuss how these principles align with your own experiences will show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in managing national retail accounts. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you've implemented to drive sales and grow relationships, especially in the FMCG sector. This will demonstrate your ability to take ownership of the retail channel P&L.
✨Build Relationships on Paper
Think about how you can illustrate your relationship-building skills. Prepare anecdotes that showcase your ability to develop long-term partnerships with key stakeholders. This is crucial for a role that focuses on collaboration across various teams.
✨Data-Driven Insights
Brush up on your analytical skills. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to inform your strategies in previous roles. Highlight any instances where your insights led to measurable growth or improved performance, as this aligns perfectly with the job's requirements.
