National Account Controller - Grocery
Up to £85,000 DOE + Bonus + Car Allowance + Benefits
Field Based - Hybrid working with one day per week in the South East office
A high-growth, double-digit FMCG SME brand is seeking an exceptional National Account Controller to lead its two largest grocery customers and play a key role in the next phase of the company's growth journey.
This is a rare opportunity to join a commercially ambitious business where you'll combine strategic leadership with hands-on execution, taking full ownership of customer performance, profitability and long-term growth plans.
The Opportunity
Reporting directly to the Sales Director, you'll hold full P&L responsibility for two major grocery customers, leading customer strategy, negotiation, commercial planning and execution. You'll also directly manage and develop a National Account Manager, helping to build capability and drive high performance across the team.
The business has a clear succession plan in place, with the successful candidate expected to progress into a Head of Grocery position within 18-24 months and longer-term potential to develop into a Sales Director role.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead customer strategy, JBP development and annual planning.
- Deliver sales, profit and market share growth across key grocery accounts.
- Own forecasting, trade investment and commercial delivery.
- Lead major negotiations including annual JBPs and pricing discussions.
- Work cross-functionally to deliver best-in-class customer execution.
- Identify and unlock new growth opportunities.
- Develop and coach a direct report whilst building broader commercial capability.
About You
We're looking for an ambitious and commercially astute FMCG professional who can operate strategically whilst remaining close to the detail.
You'll likely bring:
- Experience operating at National Account Controller level, or be a high-performing Senior National Account Manager ready for your first Controller role.
- Strong grocery experience with major UK retailers.
- Proven JBP, negotiation and P&L management capability.
- Previous people management experience or a clear track record of developing others.
- The ability to influence across multiple functions and drive alignment behind customer plans.
What's on Offer
- Up to £85,000 basic salary dependent on experience.
- Performance-related bonus.
- Car allowance.
- Private medical insurance.
- Life assurance.
- Excellent wider benefits package.
- Hybrid working with one day per week in the South East office.
- A clear development pathway into broader commercial leadership.
For a confidential discussion, please contact Liam Stokey. All enquiries will be handled in the strictest confidence.
Please send your CV using the form on this page, quoting reference 7/17824/7. Confidentiality assured.
Whilst we would like to respond to all our on-line applicants, regrettably we are unable to do so due to the high volumes we receive. If you do not hear back within 14 days unfortunately the relevant consultant has decided not to progress with your application. For alternative opportunities please search our vacancies on our website.
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National Account Controller - Grocery employer: Seven Careers
Join a leading premium drinks business that champions innovation and creativity within the spirits industry. As a Brand Manager, you'll thrive in a collaborative environment that values your expertise and passion, with opportunities for professional growth and development. Enjoy a competitive salary and benefits while working just four days a week in the vibrant city of London, where you can engage with industry events and build meaningful partnerships.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land National Account Controller - Grocery
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Seven Careers, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Seven Careers!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Seven Careers, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Seven Careers and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Seven Careers that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Seven Careers
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
