National Account Manager - Food Services in Basingstoke

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced National Account Manager - Food Service to lead our strategic relationships within the food service sector. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing key accounts, driving sales growth, and developing long-term partnerships across the national landscape. This role offers an exciting opportunity to utilise your expertise in B2B sales, analysis, and to contribute to our organisation’s expansion and success.

This is a National Role so extensive travel will be required across the country. You will regularly have to travel to Basingstoke in Hampshire which is our head office. Many clients may be located in Berkshire and London but locations vary and you will be expected to travel when needed to different locations across the UK.

Overview

The role of the National Account Manager (NAM) is to support delivery of the Foodservice channel targets for drinks, machines & NSV through new business extensions, customer retention, and optimisation of growth opportunities within existing accounts. Critical to the success of this role will be the ability to be customer centric, build stakeholder networks to develop strong customer relationships and to ensure a Best In Class Customer Experience. Strong commercial acumen will be required to work with customers to develop long term commercial partnerships which deliver value to customers and Lavazza.

The NAM will display role model sales, negotiation and customer service skills at the highest level and play a key role in developing and delivering the national account caterer strategy and marketing plan. Showcasing and demonstrating the Lavazza values (Authenticity, Passion for Excellence, Responsibility & Inventiveness) with internal stakeholders and customers.

• 50% Retention of existing accounts
  • Work with contract caterers and their clients to create partnerships that drive long-term mutual relationships.
  • Deliver excellent customer service, professionally resolving any customer issues and working towards a Best In Class Experience for the customer.
  • Have clear understanding of accounts at risk.
  • Actively manage risks by developing an account retention plan.
  • Timely approach to repeat business deals.
  • Collaborate and share best practice account management processes and customer experiences with the team.
• 30% New Business extensions
  • Delivery of machine & NSV extension targets.
  • Strong relationship building skills to build expansive networks/contact strategy to maximise opportunities within account portfolio.
  • Collaborate with Foodservice & National team to provide additional opportunities with key caterers’ providers.
  • Strategic insight to build on new market opportunities that expand the reach of LPRO propositions.
• 20% Existing account growth and development
  • Demonstrate total knowledge of accounts, able to identify growth opportunities within existing accounts.
  • Work with trade marketing to create ways of driving customer revenue/engagement.
  • Strong commercial and financial skills & acumen.
  • Demonstrate effective, strategic account management skills that maximise extension opportunities and improve financial shape.
  • Hold regular reviews with strategic clients/customers to review account data to determine account performance v target and success of agreed project plan.

Skills Needed include:

• Proven National Account with Contract Caterer experience or at a senior level with ability to build rapport and effective relationships at all levels with external and internal customers. ESSENTIAL MUST BE FOOD SERVICE RELATED.
• Customer focused, with a command of the use of diplomacy and tact.
• Ability to work alone as well as in a team to achieve common and personal goals and targets.
• A proven ability to make good decisions to drive account growth and profitability.
• Can demonstrate an ability to negotiate skilfully in tough situations with both external and internal customers in order to achieve against business goals and targets.
• Can provide account and results information to both external and internal customers that is timely, of high quality and appropriate detail.
• Robust numerical analysis skills.
• Demonstrate an understanding of Food Service, Vending NA or FM account management and development.
• Proven track record in existing account management.
• Able to negotiate £m tenders/contracts whilst dealing with ambiguity & conflict.
• Understanding of customer requirements through direct selling experience.
• Demonstrates strong attention to detail, planning, self-motivation and tenacity.
• Ability to solve problems and make decisions as required to resolve issues.
• Highly financially astute with an analytical approach.
• Ability to work in partnership with internal stakeholders through effective relationships.
• Operational knowledge of principal data manipulation software (Excel, Sales Force).
• Ability to define business plans for growth and contact strategies.
• Bean to cup/coffee knowledge.

The successful candidate will be subject to background checks which will include a DBS check. All applicants must be located within the UK due to the interview process and unfortunately we cannot offer sponsorship.