At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage key accounts and drive growth in major infrastructure projects across the UK.
- Company: Established family-owned plant hire business with 40 years of experience.
- Benefits: Flexible location, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel opportunities and a focus on sustainability initiatives.
- Why this job: Shape the future of major projects while building strong relationships with top-tier clients.
- Qualifications: Experience in account management within plant hire or construction logistics is essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Our client is a well-established, family-owned plant hire business with over 40 years’ history, supporting major infrastructure and construction projects across the UK.
They work across highways, energy, utilities, defence, aviation, rail and civils, and are trusted suppliers to some of the country’s largest Tier 1 principal contractors.
As part of continued growth, they are looking for an experienced Key Account Manager to own and develop their single largest customer relationship – a major Tier 1 principal contractor delivering large-scale infrastructure and construction projects nationwide.
This is a highly visible, senior-facing role: you will represent our client directly to key stakeholders across the account, and your insight will directly shape board-level thinking on how the relationship is grown and deepened.
The Role
You will be the primary point of contact for this key account, responsible for the commercial performance of the relationship and for ensuring the effective supply of plant, equipment and associated services across multiple live projects and business units.
- Act as lead relationship owner for the account, engaging procurement, project, site and commercial teams, and building genuine credibility and trust with senior stakeholders.
- Grow revenue across existing and new projects, identifying opportunities for increased utilisation, contract extensions and additional services across each of the account's business units.
- Support tenders, framework agreements and pricing negotiations, balancing competitiveness with margin protection.
- Work closely with depot, transport, service and operations teams to ensure on-time delivery, correct specification, and fast resolution of operational issues.
- Promote a zero-harm safety culture and ensure compliance with LOLER, PUWER, emissions standards and project-specific requirements.
- Monitor account KPIs – revenue, margin, utilisation and service performance – and produce regular account reviews and forecasts.
- Feed strategic account intelligence back to senior leadership, directly informing how the business approaches deals, contracts and partnership opportunities to deepen the relationship and drive revenue
- Support long-term partnership initiatives around sustainability, low‑carbon plant solutions and digital plant tracking.
Experience We're Looking For
This is a specialist account management role and requires a genuine background in plant hire, construction logistics, or infrastructure supply chains.
Candidates without direct experience in one of these areas will not be considered.
Essential: proven experience in a Key Account Manager, Account Manager or senior Business Development role within plant hire, construction logistics, or infrastructure supply chains.
Essential: a strong commercial track record – negotiating pricing, frameworks and tenders, and protecting margin while growing revenue.
Essential: charismatic, switched‑on and commercially astute, with genuine credibility presenting to and influencing senior stakeholders – this person will be a direct reflection of our client to their biggest customer.
- Strategically minded and genuinely engaged with industry and market developments
- Ideally, a strong working knowledge of the infrastructure sector.
- Experience managing a relationship with a Tier 1 principal contractor, ideally on major infrastructure, highways, energy, utilities or civils projects.
- Working knowledge of health & safety and compliance requirements relevant to plant and equipment (e. g. LOLER, PUWER).
- Comfortable managing multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously; organised, proactive and solutions‑focused.
- Salary & Location
- This is a national role covering the South of England through to Scotland.
- Location is flexible for the right candidate; regular travel to client sites nationally will be requir
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National Key Account Manager in Birmingham employer: Upstream Solutions Group
Upstream Solutions Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the heart of Birmingham. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide a personal learning allowance and flexible working arrangements, ensuring our team members can thrive both professionally and personally. Join us to be part of a supportive environment where your contributions are valued and rewarded, making a meaningful impact in the construction industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land National Key Account Manager in Birmingham
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Upstream Solutions Group, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like National Key Account Manager at Upstream Solutions Group.
We think you need these skills to ace National Key Account Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Upstream Solutions Group
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
