Senior Customer Account Manager (Grocery Retailers) in Kingston upon Thames

Manpower are currently seeking an interim Senior Account Manager (Grocery Retailers) to work with our global FMCG client The Magnum Ice Cream Company, renowned for brands such as Magnum, Ben & Jerry's, Cornetto and Wall's, and become an integral part of their fast-paced FMCG environment. The position is based in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey. This is a full-time temporary role to run until end of December 2026 with strong possibility of extension, requiring 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Compensation for this role is competitive, paying £61,600 – £77,000 per annum, pro rata, depending upon experience. The role currently offers a mix of remote and onsite working, subject to adjustment based on business requirements.

JOB PURPOSE

This is an exciting opportunity to join the UK&I Ice Cream customer team, supporting one of the largest ice cream markets in Europe across Retail, Out-of-Home and D-COMM channels. The role sits within the In-Home Customer Development team, managing over 70% of the total business. The Controller will be the first point of contact for customers, responsible for end-to-end customer execution, OMNI channel performance, and building strong standalone customer relationships during and beyond the de-merger process.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build strong and sustainable customer relationships
• Develop and execute customer business plans delivering growth, market share and profitability
• Manage day-to-day contact with customer buyers, supply chain, shopper marketing and internal commercial/brand teams
• Negotiate trade terms, funding and agreements in line with company strategy
• Manage customer events including product launches, pricing changes and trade term resolutions
• Develop strategic customer business plans alongside Category Managers and Shopper Marketing
• Deliver integrated category promotional plans and sell plans into customers
• Manage promotional and non-promotional customer investment, ensuring agreements are documented correctly
• Work with Commercial Executives to complete promotional administration
• Support new product launches including customer sell-in and sample management
• Ensure effective in-store activation of promotions and range reviews
• Manage customer P&L, investments, accruals and pricing
• Monitor in-month performance versus forecast with Customer Business Managers and Customer Operations
• Ensure compliance with agreed trade terms and resolve breaches where required
• Deliver turnover and Business Building Terms targets
• Support S&OP forecasting, business planning, sales updates, in-store tracking and price claim management
• Manage customer administration including pricing, rebates, promo proposals, contracts and trade terms

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous senior customer/account management experience of Top 5 grocery retailers, within a CAM role with strong commercial experience with P&L management
• Experience managing customer accounts and promotional plans.
• Strong commercial acumen and ownership of account performance. Must have a good grip of P&L.
• Ability to manage commercial and promotional plans
• Strong communication skills and the ability to quickly build rapport internally and externally
• Proven negotiation skills
• Strategic thinking and a forward-looking, visionary mindset
• The successful candidate will take ownership of the account, including planning and execution, with some administrative support available.