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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage relationships with top UK retailers and drive commercial goals.
- Company: Join a growing business in the Food and Drink industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus, company car, and generous leave.
- Why this job: Be a key player in strategic account planning and operational excellence.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in FMCG, strong analytical skills, and relationship management experience required.
- Other info: Regular travel for in-person engagement is essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 70000 £ per year.
We're looking for an experienced account manager, ideally someone who has worked with UK retailers to join a growing business in the Food and Drink industry as a National Account Manager. The position is responsible for managing and developing customer relationships with the top UK retailers including Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons, using a category-driven approach to achieve commercial goals in line with business strategies. Previous experience with these specific retailers in not required .
The role requires working collaboratively across functions to deliver revenue, profitability, and growth objectives while supporting operational excellence. Regular travel for in-person engagement is a key aspect of this role.
Key Responsibilities
Customer Relationship Management
– Build strong, professional relationships with key contacts across customer teams, including commercial, category, finance, logistics, and operations.
– Position the company as a trusted partner and strategic supplier in the eyes of the customer.
– Serve as a key point of contact, providing detailed insights into customer priorities and competitive activity.
– Deliver robust financial and sales performance analyses to inform decision-making.
Strategic Account Planning
– Develop comprehensive account plans to align with broader business goals.
– Utilise scenario planning to support agile and informed commercial decisions.
– Ensure strategies are executed effectively and aligned with brand objectives.
Category & Shopper Insights
– Leverage available data to uncover opportunities for growth in customer categories.
– Analyse shopper behaviour to guide category-specific initiatives and proposals.
– Advocate for the inclusion of company products in customer category strategies.
Execution & Operational Delivery
– Oversee the end-to-end execution of campaigns and commercial activities, ensuring objectives are met.
– Ensure all commercial agreements and pricing are accurate and well-documented.
– Collaborate with supply chain teams to streamline processes and address potential issues proactively.
– Maintain high standards of administrative efficiency to minimize operational challenges.
Ideal Experience
- Minimum 3 years in an FMCG environment in a commercial role (e.g., sales, marketing, or operations).
- Demonstrated experience in creating and implementing account-specific Joint Business Plans (JBPs).
- Familiarity with grocery and retail trade sectors such as supermarkets, convenience stores, and discounters is preferred.
- Experience working with market and sales data (e.g., Nielsen, IRI, EPOS) to develop actionable insights.
- Proven ability to expand business opportunities and exceed commercial objectives.
- Knowledge of negotiation tactics and category management principles is advantageous.
- Strong analytical skills with a clear understanding of financial metrics, including ROI, sales modelling, and promotional analysis.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data evaluation and scenario planning.
- Intermediate PowerPoint skills to create impactful presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
- Familiarity with web-based tools and retailer platforms for data extraction and analysis.
- Exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
- Self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and meet deadlines effectively.
Remuneration
- £50,000 Base salary
- 10% Annual bonus
- Company car
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Healthcare
- Pension
- Additional perks
If this sounds like a role well suited to your experience and requirements, please apply and someone will be in touch to discuss your application.
National Account Manager employer: Star Recruits
Contact Detail:
Star Recruits Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land National Account Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to research the top UK retailers like Sainsbury's, Asda, and Morrisons. Understanding their business models and current market trends will help you speak their language during interviews and demonstrate your knowledge of the industry.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the FMCG sector, especially those who have experience with UK retailers. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with potential colleagues and gain insights into the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with Joint Business Plans (JBPs) and how you've successfully implemented them in previous roles. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your strategic thinking and ability to drive results.
✨Tip Number 4
Brush up on your analytical skills, particularly with tools like Microsoft Excel. Being able to showcase your ability to analyze data and derive actionable insights will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace National Account Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in account management, particularly in the FMCG sector. Emphasize any previous work with UK retailers, even if it's not directly with Sainsbury's, Asda, or Morrisons.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the Food and Drink industry and your ability to build strong customer relationships. Mention specific skills like negotiation tactics and analytical abilities that align with the job description.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, focus on your analytical skills, experience with market data, and proficiency in tools like Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. These are crucial for the role and should be clearly presented.
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: Demonstrate your ability to develop comprehensive account plans and your experience with scenario planning. Use examples from your past roles to illustrate how you've successfully executed strategies that align with business goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Star Recruits
✨Research the Retail Landscape
Before your interview, take some time to familiarize yourself with the UK retail market, especially the key players like Sainsbury's, Asda, and Morrisons. Understanding their business models and recent developments will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to their success.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with market and sales data. Highlight specific examples where you've used data analysis to drive decisions or improve performance. This will demonstrate your ability to leverage insights for strategic account planning.
✨Prepare for Scenario Planning Questions
Since the role emphasizes scenario planning, think of examples from your past where you've had to adapt strategies based on changing circumstances. Be ready to explain your thought process and how you arrived at your decisions.
✨Emphasize Relationship Management
The position requires strong relationship management skills. Prepare to share stories that illustrate how you've built and maintained professional relationships in previous roles. Focus on your communication and negotiation tactics that have led to successful partnerships.
