National Account Executive - Reusable Bags in Christchurch

Solent Group works with a diverse portfolio of Retailers and supplies bespoke products within various categories, including Health & Beauty, Household Impulse Snacking, and Reusable Bags. We are proud to be best-in-class when it comes to own-label product innovation. Our Categories are fast-paced with ever-evolving trends and a host of ground-breaking products coming to market on a regular basis - we add value to retailers by leading and owning each category.

Here at Solent, we want people to be extraordinary. We pride ourselves on creating and producing amazing products and brands for our Global Customers. You will be joining a company with offices globally across South Africa, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Vietnam, and the UK.

REPORT TO: National Account Manager

LOCATION: Hybrid (2 days per week) commuting distance to Christchurch, Dorset

Purpose of the role: With our entrepreneurial spirit and drive for business growth, we need a dynamic National Account Executive to build relationships with our customers. If you have a positive can-do attitude, love problem solving and managing customers, this is a fantastic opportunity to join the fastest growing category in the business. You will develop existing accounts and look for new business to add to our already prestigious global portfolio. You will plan and oversee all aspects of the projects and meet the desired goals. You will oversee the organisation and scheduling of people, tasks and resources with autonomy to deliver the results for your own customer.

Key Responsibilities:

• Bring your passion and enthusiasm to grow existing clients, alongside generating new business.
• Live the Solent Values and work with your teams to drive the Vision.
• Work with all departments to ensure customer strategy is met.
• Formulate customer-specific sales plan/strategy, in-line with accountable budget, ensure costings are pre-checked and spec, packaging and recommended retail prices are correct.
• You will be working independently alongside a pre-set sales strategy to achieve account-specific budgets with the opportunity to add your own ideas to secure additional sales growth.
• Understand customer KPIs and targets and review performance, with knowledge and proposals to reach category standards.
• Relentlessly pioneer the future and pursue ambitious growth opportunities in your customers.
• Be resourceful and employ innovative solutions to deliver value, gross margin & volume targets for your customers.
• Contribute to the wider sales team and support other colleagues with their accounts. Share your ideas and help contribute to team goals and ambitions.
• Assign, monitor and co-ordinate project milestones and progress, with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead and plan the implementation of the project (resource, relationship, allocation).
• Manage high volume SKU level CPAs (over 200 SKUs in totality).
• Ensure visibility and feedback is maintained.

About you:

• Desirable 2 years' experience managing national accounts, ideally top 6 grocers.
• Strong commercial acumen.
• Desirable Retail/FMCG experience, ideally top 6 grocers.
• Appetite/ideally experience with international grocers.
• Licensing experience is an advantage but not essential.
• Detail-oriented with an ability to multi-task and set priorities.
• Experience/Awareness in Critical Path Management.
• Resource Planning & Allocation, managing demanding workload and prioritisation.
• Project Risk Assessment.
• Familiar with using Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Excel, and PowerPoint.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary with annual salary reviews.
• 25 days holiday per annum, increasing to 27 days after 3 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service.
• Extensive benefits programme including buying additional holiday, medical cash plan, access to mental health support and many other benefits.
• Flexible hours and work from home available to all staff.
• Great learning and development and progression opportunities.
• Yearly bonus structure (based on company targets).
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave.
• Generous Company Sick Pay.
• Pension Scheme Contribution.
• Solent social events run by our in-house Social Team.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Dress down Fridays.
• Free parking on Christchurch Quay.