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- 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: Competitive salary, autonomy in role, and opportunity to shape commercial strategy.
- Why this job: Join a pivotal moment in a respected company and make a real impact on growth.
- Qualifications: Significant sales leadership experience, ideally in pet food or FMCG, with strong commercial acumen.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
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 Milton Keynes 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 Milton Keynes
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the pet food industry. Attend trade shows, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by doing your homework. Research Gilbertson & Page and their competitors, understand their products, and think about how you can contribute to their growth. This will show them you’re genuinely interested and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your experience in national account management and how it aligns with their needs. Use specific examples that highlight your successes in driving revenue and building relationships with key accounts.
✨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 are proactive and engaged. So, get your application in and let’s make some waves in the pet food industry together!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior National Account Manager in Milton Keynes
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 this role at Gilbertson & Page. Share specific examples of your achievements in driving commercial growth and managing key accounts. Let us know what excites you about this opportunity!
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen: In your application, make sure to demonstrate your strong commercial acumen. Discuss your experience with pricing strategies, promotional planning, and how you've influenced marketing initiatives in the past. We love candidates who can think strategically and act pragmatically!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply 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 us you’re keen on joining our team at this exciting time for Gilbertson & Page!
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 commercial acumen. Brush up on key metrics related to sales growth, margin improvement, and account performance. Be ready to discuss specific examples where you've driven results in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Relationships
This role involves building relationships with national retailers and wholesalers. Prepare to share stories about how you've successfully managed key accounts in the past. Highlight any existing connections you have within the pet food industry or related sectors.
✨Understand the Market
Familiarise yourself with current trends in the pet food market, including consumer preferences and competitive dynamics. Being able to discuss these insights will show that you're not just a sales manager but a strategic thinker who can contribute to long-term growth.
✨Collaborate and Communicate
Since this role requires cross-functional collaboration, think of examples where you've worked effectively with marketing, finance, or supply chain teams. Emphasise your communication skills and how you've influenced stakeholders to achieve common goals.
