Account Manager - Northern Region in Wadhurst

Join a friendly, employee-owned, award-winning international outdoor business as an Account Manager – Northern Region.

The Company

Located in the picturesque, rural setting of East Sussex, Nikwax is a highly successful outdoor business that is run by a close-knit and friendly team of employees, whom we are proud to call Partners. Nikwax Ltd. develops care products and material systems that improve performance and extend the life of clothing, footwear and equipment whilst minimising environmental impact with clean chemistry. We develop and manufacture in-house, from our headquarters in Wadhurst, East Sussex. Nikwax are the only outdoor company to have won the Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development and all operations have been carbon balanced since the company was founded in 1977. We have an ongoing dedication to minimising our impact on the environment and a hardworking team of people to help develop the business. We highly value our employees, whom we are proud to call Partners, and this is an exciting opportunity to join our company.

The Role

You will be responsible for increasing sales and margins with existing and new retail customers, by providing tailored solutions and support that improves relationships, retail space, aftercare education and Nikwax brand awareness. Your territory will be part of a global network that covers the Northern parts of the UK, including the Midlands and Scotland.

Your Responsibilities Will Include:

• Increasing overall sales and margins with your existing and new customer accounts, by building relationships and partnerships with buyers and strengthening brand loyalty, across national and regional accounts, as well as smaller territory-based retailers, plus Distributors and Wholesalers, whilst delivering monthly, quarterly and yearly targets.
• Developing an in-depth understanding of your territory and customers, promoting the understanding of how our brand, products and marketing materials, plus joint sell-through plans, can make your customers businesses more profitable.
• Working collaboratively with your customers and our marketing team, to provide the best and consistent physical and online merchandising solutions to optimise sales and brand awareness.
• Training retail sales staff via in-store training clinics and special events to increase the product knowledge and selling ability of the sales staff.
• Working effectively remotely and independently to efficiently prioritise time to influence sales growth and customer contact.
• Reporting to the Commercial Director with feedback on sales performance, forecasts, customers, competitors and general market trends.
• Analysing customer account sales data to identify opportunities and develop strategies to address them, including developing joint sell-through plans with customers.
• Planning and executing regular visits to relevant buying contacts and retail stores to undertake the above functions. Attending Nikwax trade and consumer events, plus customer local community events, where necessary.

The successful candidate will be field based and expected to spend the majority of their working time away from home visiting customers and prospects. Depending on your home location this may involve a sizable number of overnight stays.

We Are Looking for an Individual Who:

• Has proven ability of territory sales management experience ideally selling technical outdoor and/or sports (running, cycling, fishing) clothing, footwear or accessories to Northern retailers; with a history of delivering sales growth, acquiring new accounts and maximising retail display space.
• Can prove a good working knowledge of IT and CRM systems plus Microsoft Office skills – particularly in Excel and spreadsheet analysis.
• Shares our passion about being active outdoors, is energetic, tenacious and curious, with a desire for continuous learning and the ambition to progress in Nikwax.
• Has excellent communication and presentation skills and works well independently or in a team.
• Is proactive in identifying customer needs and opportunities, developing valued-based solutions and taking action.
• Has a current full driving license.

The successful applicant will be required to attend our offices in Wadhurst, East Sussex on a regular basis. A company car will be provided.

The Rewards

• Competitive benefits and rewards including pension, health cash plan, sales bonus scheme and profit related bonus scheme.
• Additional flexible benefits options including boosted pension contributions, extra holiday or assistance with childcare costs.
• Annual leave starting at 27 days rising with service, plus public holidays.
• Friendly and informal environment with monthly team lunches and quarterly events.
• Be part of an employee-owned business where you can clearly see the effect of your efforts.
• Contribute to an award-winning international company with values that you can believe in.

We are passionate and committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer, encouraging different perspectives and experiences to make us a more innovative and creative workplace.

Candidates must be able to provide evidence of their right to work in the UK.