At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a major UK retail partnership and drive sustainable growth.
- Company: Join Sofina Foods, one of Europe’s largest food businesses.
- Benefits: Car allowance, company bonus, pension scheme, and enhanced sick pay.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture with opportunities for progression and influence.
- Why this job: Shape your career while making a real impact in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing major grocery retail accounts and strong commercial judgement.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 75000 £ per year.
Own a flagship UK retail partnership and shape commercial growth at scale.
Additional Benefits: Car Allowance, Company Bonus Scheme, Company Pension Scheme, Enhanced Sick Pay.
The Role: Our new National Account Lead will take ownership of one of Sofina Foods’ most significant UK retail relationships, playing a central role in driving sustainable growth, collaboration and commercial performance. This role sits at the heart of the business, bringing together customer insight, commercial thinking and cross‑functional leadership. You’ll act as the key connector between the retailer and Sofina, shaping joint plans, influencing internal teams, and ensuring delivery in a fast‑moving food environment. The role offers high visibility, autonomy and genuine scope to make an impact.
Your Key Responsibilities:
- Owning and developing a priority UK retail account that represents a significant part of the business.
- Building and delivering joint business plans aligned to shared growth, sustainability and service objectives.
- Acting as the primary point of contact for the customer, developing trusted, long‑term relationships.
- Providing day‑to‑day leadership across the account, supporting and mentoring account managers and executives.
- Working closely with operations, supply chain and logistics to ensure consistent, right‑first‑time delivery.
- Managing commercial performance, including forecasting, promotional activity and cost control.
- Identifying opportunities to improve ways of working, unlock value and strengthen partnership.
- Representing the customer internally and influencing senior stakeholders across Sofina.
The Ideal Candidate: We’re looking for a commercial leader with deep experience managing major UK grocery retail accounts, ideally within food, fresh produce, or chilled categories. You’ll thrive in complexity, enjoy autonomy, and bring a sharp strategic and analytical mindset.
You’ll Bring:
- Experience managing major UK grocery retail accounts within FMCG or food.
- A strong understanding of trading within fast‑moving or short shelf‑life categories.
- Confidence owning joint business plans and leading customer conversations.
- A collaborative approach, with the ability to influence across functions and levels.
- Experience supporting or leading other account team members.
- Commercial judgement balanced with a practical, solutions‑focused mindset.
- Comfort working with data and insight to inform decisions (without being overly technical).
Why Sofina Foods? Join a growing, supportive commercial team within one of Europe’s largest food businesses. You’ll gain senior stakeholder exposure, own a major customer relationship, and have the freedom to shape your career. We offer real progression, a fast‑moving culture, and a chance to make a difference.
Equal Opportunities: As an equal opportunities’ employer, Sofina Foods is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. Whilst we still have more work to do, we aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join our organisation.
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Schedule: Monday to Friday
Hours of Work: Full‑time
Senior National Account Manager in Leeds employer: Sofina Foods Europe
Sofina Foods is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Leeds where you can take ownership of significant retail partnerships and drive commercial growth. With a strong focus on employee development, competitive benefits including a car allowance and company bonus scheme, and a culture that values collaboration and innovation, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while advancing your career in one of Europe's largest food businesses.
