Key Account Manager - UK & ROI

Location: UK & Republic of Ireland – Field Based

Salary: Competitive DOE + performance related bonus

Employment: Full-Time, Permanent

Travel: Up to 40% – including customer sites, showrooms, trade shows and occasional travel to Germany

The Opportunity:

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Key Account Manager to join an established and highly respected manufacturer of premium furniture fittings and hardware. Covering the UK and Republic of Ireland, you will take responsibility for developing and growing strategic relationships across the furniture manufacturing, kitchen, bedroom, joinery and distribution sectors. This is a fantastic opportunity for a commercially driven sales professional who enjoys managing key accounts, developing new business and building long-term relationships with senior decision-makers. You will play an important role in strengthening our client’s presence across the UK and ROI, representing a high-quality product portfolio and identifying opportunities for continued growth.

The Role:

As Key Account Manager, you will be responsible for managing and developing a portfolio of strategic customers while proactively identifying and securing new business opportunities. Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing and developing a portfolio of key accounts across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
• Developing relationships with kitchen manufacturers, furniture producers, joineries, distributors and kitchen studios.
• Identifying and winning new customers and business opportunities.
• Developing and executing account plans to maximise sales and long-term customer value.
• Identifying cross-selling and up-selling opportunities across our clients’ fittings and hardware portfolio.
• Building strong, long-term relationships with buyers, technical teams, designers and other key decision-makers.
• Presenting new product ranges, technical solutions and product innovations to customers and specifiers.
• Achieving agreed sales, margin and growth targets across the territory.
• Managing the full account lifecycle, from initial engagement and relationship development through to ongoing account growth.
• Monitoring market trends, competitor activity and pricing across the UK and ROI market.
• Working closely with product management, technical support and supply chain teams to ensure customer requirements are met.
• Preparing regular sales forecasts, pipeline reports and account reviews.
• Representing our client at trade shows, customer events and industry exhibitions.
• Planning and delivering show truck tours throughout the UK and ROI, showcasing the product range directly to customers.
• Delivering product training sessions to customers' sales, technical and production teams.
• Maintaining accurate CRM records and keeping account and pipeline information up to date.
• Travelling regularly throughout the UK and Ireland, with occasional travel to Germany and overnight stays.

About You:

We’re looking for a proactive, commercially focused sales professional with strong account management and business development experience. The successful candidate will ideally have:

• Proven experience in Key Account Management, Business Development or Field Sales within a B2B environment.
• Experience within furniture fittings, hardware, building products, furniture manufacturing or a related manufacturing sector would be highly advantageous.
• Experience working with kitchen manufacturers, furniture producers, joineries, distributors or kitchen/bedroom manufacturers.
• An existing network of contacts within the UK and/or ROI furniture, joinery or KBB manufacturing sector would be a strong advantage.
• A proven track record of managing and growing strategic customer accounts.
• Strong new-business development skills and a genuine ability to identify and convert opportunities.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Commercial awareness with a strong understanding of sales, margin and profitability.
• An interest in, or understanding of, furniture fittings and hardware, with the ability to quickly develop detailed product knowledge.
• A self-motivated, organised and results-driven approach.
• Confidence presenting products and technical solutions to customers and delivering product training.
• Proficiency with CRM systems and Microsoft Office.
• A full, clean UK driving licence.
• The flexibility and willingness to travel extensively throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland, including occasional overnight stays and travel to Germany.
• The flexibility to spend approximately three months per year supporting show truck tours and delivering on-site customer training.

What’s On Offer?

• Competitive basic salary DOE
• Performance-related bonus
• Excellent company benefits
• Ongoing product and sales training
• The opportunity to represent an established and respected furniture fittings brand
• A growing UK and ROI market with significant scope for development
• A varied role combining key account management, business development, customer visits, exhibitions and product training
• Regular interaction with major customers and industry decision-makers
• The opportunity to take real ownership of the UK & ROI territory

Interested?

If you’re an experienced Key Account Manager, Business Development Manager or Field Sales professional with experience across furniture, kitchens, joinery, hardware, fittings or associated building products, and you’re looking for an opportunity where you can genuinely develop a territory and build long-term customer relationships, we’d love to hear from you. Please apply online or contact Oval Deene Recruitment.