At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth and build relationships with retail partners in a dynamic role.
- Company: Valeo Foods UK, home to beloved brands like Kettle Crisps and Rowse Honey.
- Benefits: Matched pension scheme, staff discounts, cycle to work scheme, and more.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for travel and industry connections.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the food industry while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in UK grocery channels and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
At Valeo Foods UK, we're the creative force behind an array of beloved brands spanning indulgence, innovation, and tradition. From the iconic crunch of Kettle Crisps to the pure sweetness of Rowse Honey, and the rich heritage of Matthew Walker puddings, our portfolio reflects our commitment to quality and diversity.
We’re on an exciting journey to grow and strengthen our relationships with retailers, putting customer centricity at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we’re looking for a National Account Manager (Nat Sweet on M&S) to join our team. This is a fantastic opportunity to drive growth, shape our strategy, and make a real impact across our retail partnerships.
This role is all about people—building strong, collaborative relationships with our retail partners, understanding their needs, and working together to unlock new opportunities. You’ll be at the forefront of these conversations, negotiating commercial terms, managing both branded and private label growth, and ensuring our products continue to thrive on shelves. Every day will be different, whether you're meeting customers, developing strategic plans, or working closely with internal teams across sales, marketing, category, and supply chain to bring ideas to life.
You’ll need to be mobile, as regular travel is part of the role—meeting customers, visiting stores, and getting firsthand insight into what’s happening in the market. Seeing the impact of your work in real-time is one of the most rewarding aspects of this role, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to develop strong connections across the industry.
Qualifications- Good knowledge of the UK grocery multiples channel, key customers and broad National Account experience.
- Commercial awareness with P&L experience (M&S experience essential)
- Can create, manage & deliver account plans that drive bases sales and distribution, not just promotion volume
- Confident at buyer / senior buyer level and beyond
- Good communication, negotiation & presentation skills
- Experience of working with both brands and private label
- Understands the principles of category management & confident in presenting and implementing insights.
- Experience of building a strategic vision for an account/channel and executing against that vision
What we offer you in return: Matched pension scheme, Death in service, Cycle to work scheme, Canteen, Retailer discount platform, Staff discount and plenty more!
National Account Manager (M&S) in Pontefract employer: Valeo Foods
At Valeo Foods UK, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. As a National Account Manager, you'll enjoy a range of benefits including a matched pension scheme, staff discounts, and opportunities for professional growth while working with iconic brands in a dynamic environment. Our commitment to employee development and customer-centricity ensures that every team member can make a meaningful impact in their role, all while enjoying the excitement of regular travel and industry engagement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land National Account Manager (M&S) in Pontefract
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Valeo Foods UK and their brands thoroughly. Understand their market position and think about how your skills can help them grow. Tailor your answers to show you’re not just a fit for the role, but for the company culture too.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the National Account Manager position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We love seeing applications come directly from candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. It’s a great way to stand out and show that you’re keen on being part of our journey at Valeo Foods UK.
We think you need these skills to ace National Account Manager (M&S) in Pontefract
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through. We want to see how excited you are about working with our brands and driving growth in the retail space. Share your personal connection to our products or experiences that have shaped your interest in this field.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored specifically for the National Account Manager role. Highlight your experience with M&S and the UK grocery multiples channel. We’re looking for someone who can create and manage account plans, so showcase any relevant achievements that demonstrate your skills in this area.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Valeo Foods UK.
How to prepare for a job interview at Valeo Foods
✨Know Your Brands
Before the interview, dive deep into Valeo Foods' portfolio. Familiarise yourself with their key brands like Kettle Crisps and Rowse Honey. Being able to discuss these products and their unique stories will show your genuine interest and understanding of the company.
✨Understand the Retail Landscape
Brush up on your knowledge of the UK grocery multiples channel, especially M&S. Be prepared to discuss how you can leverage your experience to strengthen relationships and drive growth in this specific market. Highlight any relevant P&L experience you have.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare to talk about how you've created and executed account plans in the past. Think of specific examples where you've driven sales and distribution, not just promotional volume. This will demonstrate your ability to think strategically and deliver results.
✨Practice Your Negotiation Skills
Since this role involves negotiating commercial terms, practice articulating your negotiation strategies. Be ready to share examples of successful negotiations you've led, particularly at the buyer or senior buyer level, to showcase your confidence and communication skills.
