National Account Manager(mat-leave cover) in Leeds

We are seeking a highly motivated and commercially focused National Account Manager to join our team. You will help manage and grow key national accounts through strong relationship building, customer support and cross-functional collaboration. With experience in a similar role or commercial environment (FMCG), you'll bring excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and a proactive, can-do attitude.

Start Date: September/October 2026

Contract Length: 12 months, with scope to extend

About NORTHERN BL°C: At NORTHERN BL°C we make great ice cream that's for everyone. Using a chef's approach to flavour and with innovation at our core, we're on a mission to do ice cream differently. We believe that ice cream is meant to be indulgent; its own type of delicious, that can be enjoyed at any time, by anybody.

Key Responsibilities:

• Client Relationship Management: Act as the primary point of contact for a portfolio of national accounts. Build and maintain strong, long-lasting relationships, by delivering exceptional customer service and consistent communication. Regularly visit client sites to conduct meetings, training, and sampling sessions.
• Account Planning & Commercial Growth: Manage the development and delivery of strategic account plans to drive customer growth. Contribute to annual and monthly sales forecasts, budgets, and promotional plans. Work in collaboration with the finance team to manage pricing proposals, margin analysis, and tender submissions.
• Pipeline and New Business: Management of the sales pipeline, with monthly updates to Sales Director. Leading on new business tenders. Proactively identifying, targeting and securing new business opportunities.
• Market & Customer Insight: Develop a deep understanding of customer needs, including menu strategy, category focus, and product innovation requirements. Leverage market trends & insights to influence product development and commercial strategy.
• Project Management: Lead a cross-functional project delivery across new product launches. Maintain timelines and stakeholder communication to ensure on-time execution.
• Reporting & Analysis: In collaboration with commercial analyst lead on producing regular reports on account performance, sales metrics, new opportunities and market trends. Analyse commercial data to identify growth opportunities, risks, and recommend corrective actions where necessary.
• Management and mentoring: Responsible for managing and mentoring NAE day to day. Ensuring NAE is motivated and delivering to their agreed appraisal targets.
• Event Management & Sampling Activation: Oversee the planning and execution of trade events. Have oversight of sampling activations to enhance brand visibility and customer engagement which is delivered by the wider team.

IDEAL CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:

• At least 4-5 years’ experience in a similar role or in a commercial environment, within FMCG.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a passion for product.
• Strong commercial acumen, including confidence with numbers, promotional, & pricing strategies and contract negotiations.
• Excellent attention to detail, proactive and a mindset to continuously learn and improve.
• Able to demonstrate ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines successfully.
• Confident & self-motivated.
• A people person - and a team player.
• Flexibility to travel as needed to customers sites and events across the UK with occasional overnight stays.
• Full UK driving licence (essential).
• Must love food, dessert and (especially) ice cream!

WHAT’S ON OFFER:

• Office based role (Leeds city centre) with regular travel across the UK.
• Good package, dependent on qualifications and experience.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Comprehensive benefits package including access to discounts scheme, employee assistance programme, life assurance cover and opportunities for learning and development.
• Term 1-year full time mat leave cover.
• Whilst this role is initially a short-term mat leave cover there is the potential to join the team on a permanent basis at the end of the term.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join one of the most exciting food brands in the market. You'll be working with a small passionate team, with a wealth of experience, which offers a great opportunity to learn and develop whilst working with a market leading product that will give you tremendous job satisfaction.