At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead national account relationships and drive sales strategies for a respected pet food manufacturer.
- Company: Gilbertson & Page Ltd, a heritage pet food manufacturer with over 150 years of experience.
- Benefits: Autonomy to shape strategy, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a pivotal role in a respected company and make a real impact on commercial success.
- Qualifications: Significant sales leadership experience, ideally in pet food or FMCG, with strong account management skills.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to influence marketing and product development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About Gilbertson & Page Ltd is a privately owned pet food manufacturer based in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. With over 150 years of heritage, the business produces around 30,000 tonnes of dry dog food annually, focusing on large-format bags for multi-dog households and value-conscious consumers. The company operates a highly automated factory and maintains a lean, efficient structure. It is part of a wider group that includes a sister company in aerosols, contributing additional group revenue.
This newly created Senior National Account Manager (SNAM) role marks a strategic step forward for Gilbertson & Page. The SNAM will help shape and lead the development of national account relationships, with a remit that may include ownership of key accounts such as Pets at Home, Bestway, and Jollyes. The balance between new business development and existing account management will be influenced by the strengths and experience of the successful candidate. This is a rare opportunity to join a respected British manufacturer at a pivotal moment, with the autonomy to shape commercial strategy and contribute to long-term growth.
Key Responsibilities- Develop and execute national sales strategies to drive revenue and margin growth.
- Build joint business plans with key accounts and identify opportunities for deeper engagement.
- Evaluate and shape direct vs. wholesale account strategies, including discount and specialist channels.
- Lead promotional planning, pricing strategy, and commercial input into marketing initiatives.
- Identify and develop new national account opportunities to broaden distribution, whether through grocery, discount, wholesale, or other relevant channels.
- Build relationships with national retailers, wholesalers, and multi-site independents.
- Assess and prioritise opportunities across pet specialty, discount, and regional chains.
- Influence brand positioning and product visibility in-store and online.
- Collaborate with sister company contacts to leverage group relationships where appropriate.
- Work closely with Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, and Product teams.
- Provide market insights to guide innovation and go-to-market planning.
- Influence marketing campaigns and asset development to support account growth.
- Lead sales reporting and provide actionable insights to senior leadership, ensuring visibility of performance across key accounts and initiatives.
- Track progress against targets and optimise plans in real-time.
- Drive continuous improvement across pricing, margin, and promotional effectiveness.
- Significant experience in sales leadership, ideally within pet food or FMCG, with a proven ability to manage national accounts and drive commercial growth.
- Proven track record in national account management and/or new business development.
- Strong commercial acumen and ability to influence cross-functional teams.
- Experience working with wholesalers, retailers, and discount channels.
- Clear and confident communication, with credibility in front of senior stakeholders.
- Comfortable with travel and ideally located within reach of Welwyn for regular office presence.
- Experience in a lean or family-owned business environment.
- Familiarity with pet food, nutrition trends, and consumer segmentation.
- Background in marketing collaboration and campaign development.
- Understanding of D2C and e-commerce dynamics.
- Existing relationships with key pet specialty and discount retailers.
- Strategic thinking with a pragmatic, hands-on approach.
- Emotional intelligence and adaptability to different working styles.
- Collaborative leadership and stakeholder management.
- Resilience, initiative, and long-term mindset.
- Ability to build structure and process in a lean organisation.
Senior National Account Manager in High Wycombe employer: Nigel Wright Group
Contact Detail:
Nigel Wright Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior National Account Manager in High Wycombe
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the pet food industry. Attend trade shows, join relevant LinkedIn groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Gilbertson & Page and their competitors. Understand their products, market position, and recent news. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in the role and the company.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to discuss your experience in national account management and how it aligns with the role. Highlight your successes in driving revenue and building relationships, as these are key for the Senior National Account Manager position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior National Account Manager in High Wycombe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior National Account Manager role. Highlight your experience in sales leadership and national account management, especially within the pet food or FMCG sectors. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for Gilbertson & Page. Share specific examples of how you've driven commercial growth and built strong relationships with key accounts. Let us know what excites you about this opportunity!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on your achievements rather than just responsibilities. Use numbers and metrics to demonstrate your impact in previous roles. We love seeing how you've contributed to revenue growth and account management success!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it shows us you're keen to join our team at this exciting time!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nigel Wright Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior National Account Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of sales metrics and performance indicators. Brush up on your past achievements, such as revenue growth percentages or successful account management strategies. Be ready to discuss how you can apply this knowledge to drive growth at Gilbertson & Page.
✨Showcase Your Relationships
This role involves building strong relationships with national retailers and wholesalers. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed key accounts in the past. Highlight any existing connections you have within the pet food industry, as this could give you an edge in the interview.
✨Understand the Market
Familiarise yourself with current trends in the pet food market, including consumer preferences and competitive landscape. Be prepared to discuss how these insights can inform your approach to developing national sales strategies and promotional planning for Gilbertson & Page.
✨Collaborative Mindset
Since this role requires cross-functional collaboration, think about how you've worked with different teams in previous positions. Prepare to share specific examples of how you've influenced marketing campaigns or collaborated with supply chain and finance teams to achieve common goals.