At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage key retail accounts and drive sales through strong customer relationships.
- Company: Dynamic food industry leader with a focus on collaboration and growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a supportive culture.
- Other info: Join a results-driven team and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the retail sector while building valuable partnerships.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing retail accounts and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Location: United Kingdom
Function: Sales - Rollover Brand - Food Industry
Reporting to: Head of Sales - Retail
Contract: Permanent
About The Role
We’re looking for a Key Account Manager to manage and grow a portfolio of key retail customers. This role is central to driving sales performance through strong customer relationships, robust joint business planning and the successful execution of commercial, marketing and NPD strategies. You’ll be responsible for creating and delivering strategic account plans that increase revenue, secure long‑term partnerships and support sustainable growth across both existing and new customers.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the performance of selected retail customers, delivering against quarterly and annual sales targets.
- Develop and execute strategic account plans aligned to channel and business objectives.
- Lead Joint Business Planning (JBP) with customers to plan ahead and unlock growth opportunities.
- Negotiate annual terms and commercial agreements, securing contracted business where applicable.
- Work with customers to develop NPD plans and build a strong product pipeline.
- Collaborate with internal teams including Marketing, Sales Support, Customer Services and Field Sales.
- Monitor, analyse and report on sales performance, identifying risks and opportunities.
- Maintain regular face‑to‑face customer engagement to strengthen partnerships.
- Support customer sites through training and development plans, ensuring expectations are met.
- Work closely with the field sales team and SS, identifying areas of support and driving execution.
Key Measures of Success
- Achievement of sales targets and account KPIs.
- Delivery of effective JBPs and secured commercial agreements.
- Strong customer relationships and engagement.
- Clear, accurate reporting and proactive account management.
- Successful collaboration across internal teams.
What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience managing key retail accounts within FMCG.
- Highly organised, focused and commercially minded.
- Strong presentation, negotiation and communication skills.
- Ability to build relationships at all levels, internally and externally.
- Confident operating in a fast‑paced, results‑driven environment.
Core Values
- Results‑driven thinking.
- Resilience and determination.
- A positive, proactive attitude.
Benefits
- A competitive salary and benefits package.
- Career development opportunities within a growing retail sales function.
- A collaborative, supportive culture that values ownership and accountability.
- The chance to work with leading UK retail customers and make a real commercial impact.
Key Account Manager, Key Account Manager employer: Pilgrim's Europe
Contact Detail:
Pilgrim's Europe Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Key Account Manager, Key Account Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food industry and let them know you're on the hunt for a Key Account Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its key retail customers. Show us that you understand their business and how you can drive sales performance through strong customer relationships. Tailor your pitch to highlight your experience in managing key accounts.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your proactive attitude.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply directly through our website! We love seeing candidates who take the initiative. Plus, it gives you a better chance of standing out in the application process. Let’s get you that Key Account Manager position!
We think you need these skills to ace Key Account Manager, Key Account Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Key Account Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing retail accounts and any relevant achievements that showcase your sales performance. We want to see how you can drive results!
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. Mention your skills in negotiation and relationship building, and how they align with our core values at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: In your application, demonstrate your ability to develop strategic account plans. Share examples of how you've successfully executed joint business planning or driven growth in previous roles. We love seeing proactive thinkers!
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 you’re keen on joining the StudySmarter team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pilgrim's Europe
✨Know Your Accounts
Before the interview, research the key retail customers you'll be managing. Understand their business models, challenges, and recent news. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in driving their success.
✨Master Joint Business Planning
Be prepared to discuss how you would approach Joint Business Planning (JBP) with customers. Think of specific strategies you could implement to unlock growth opportunities and how you would align these with both channel and business objectives.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Since negotiating annual terms and commercial agreements is a big part of the role, come ready with examples of successful negotiations you've led in the past. Highlight your approach and the outcomes to illustrate your capability.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
This role requires working closely with various internal teams. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with marketing, sales support, or customer services in previous roles. This will show that you can foster teamwork to achieve common goals.