FMCG National Account Executive - Retail / Discounters in Widnes

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.

Purpose of the role

As National Account Executive (NAE), you will play a key role in driving sales, enhancing customer relationships, and securing new business, in addition to supporting the wider team. You will have full ownership of your sales performance focusing on achieving targets across your customer base. Active with all customers with regular face-to-face meetings presenting all products and identifying new opportunities.

Main Responsibilities

• Regular customer meetings to maintain accounts and present NPD Hunter, identifying and securing new business opportunities within the market.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with all customers to ensure product listings and growth.
• Cross-functional collaboration and relationships across all internal departments: Product, Operations, Technical, and Commercial within the UK and Far East.
• Regular trade visits.
• Help to manage all aspects of: Budgeting, Forecasting, objectives, etc.
• Set and achieve sales targets.
• Monitor sales performance weekly.
• Provide regular sales reports across the account base.
• Analyse sales data, market trends, and competitor activity to identify risks and opportunities.

Experience and knowledge

• Minimum 1 Year’s Experience In An Account Executive Role.
• Experience interacting with multiple retail bases across the discount channel.
• Understanding of the basic supply and manufacturing process, with established industry networks.
• Experience and/or personal interest in household and health & beauty products (desirable).
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Good knowledge of the discounter market.
• Confident presentation skills with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Commercially astute, with a sales-driven approach and a focus on exceeding targets.
• Strong attention to detail with a personable and creative mindset.
• Ability to work collaboratively across functions, including Operations, Technical, Finance, and Product.
• Strong time management and a proactive work ethic.
• Strong attention to detail and good collaboration, communication, and project management skills.
• Fluent use of Microsoft Office – Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.

In turn 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 with an office presence ideally once a week.
• 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.
• Free parking on Christchurch Quay.