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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth and strategy for premium food products with major retail partners.
- Company: Fast-growing premium food business known for artisanal products.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, and great benefits.
- Other info: Exciting growth stage with opportunities to work on innovative product launches.
- Why this job: Join a respected brand and make an impact in the food industry.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in Sales or Account Management, preferably in food or FMCG.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 48000 £ per year.
Role - NAM - M&S / Waitrose
Sector - High End Food
Location - Sevenoaks area (3 days PW, WFO 2 days)
Salary - c.£48,000 + Car + Bonus + Benefits
The Business
Our client is a fast-growing, premium food business renowned for exceptional artisanal and speciality products across the UK market. Supplying both retail and foodservice, they combine heritage, quality and provenance across a portfolio of branded and Own Label ranges, building long-term partnerships with leading customers.
Following continued growth, they are looking for an ambitious National Account Manager to take ownership of one of their most strategic retail partnerships and help drive the next phase of commercial success.
The Opportunity
This is a high-impact role with full responsibility for delivering profitable growth across branded and Own Label products within a key retail account. Working cross-functionally, you'll shape customer strategy, lead commercial planning and drive performance across volume, value and margin targets. You'll be central to launching exciting new products, strengthening customer relationships and unlocking new opportunities for growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Drive volume, revenue and margin performance across a major retail customer.
- Lead forecasting in partnership with Supply Chain and Finance to deliver accurate, commercially robust plans.
- Identify risks and opportunities to maximise growth and deliver budget.
- Deliver successful NPD launches, creating incremental growth across the portfolio.
- Build deep customer insight and translate strategy into clear internal action plans.
- Act as the key link between customer and internal teams to ensure seamless execution.
- Develop strong relationships across multiple customer touchpoints and functions.
- Lead pricing strategies and commercial negotiations while maintaining trusted partnerships.
- Support annual budgeting and collaborate with Finance on claims management.
What We're Looking For
- At least 3 years Sales or Account Management, ideally within premium food or FMCG but open to other areas if candidates are passionate foodies!
- Strong commercial acumen with P&L and budget management experience.
- Proven forecasting capability and a track record of delivering growth.
- Analytical, highly organised and confident turning insight into action.
- Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong Microsoft Office capability, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
Why Join?
This is an exciting opportunity to join a respected premium food business at a pivotal stage of growth, working with exceptional products and a highly strategic customer base.
Junior NAM - M&S / Waitrose in Sevenoaks employer: Vertical Advantage
Contact Detail:
Vertical Advantage Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior NAM - M&S / Waitrose in Sevenoaks
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the food industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy to reach out for informational chats. You never know who might help you land that dream role!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by knowing your stuff! Research the company’s products, values, and recent news. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around driving growth and building relationships.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for food! Whether it’s through personal projects, blogs, or even social media, let your enthusiasm shine. Employers love candidates who are genuinely excited about the industry and can bring that energy to the team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who want to make an impact in the premium food sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Junior NAM - M&S / Waitrose in Sevenoaks
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Junior NAM role. Highlight your sales or account management experience, especially in premium food or FMCG, to show us you’re a great fit!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about food and how your background makes you the perfect candidate for this exciting opportunity. Be genuine and let your personality come through!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your commercial acumen and ability to drive growth. Numbers speak volumes, so don’t shy away from sharing metrics that highlight your success!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vertical Advantage
✨Know Your Products
Before the interview, make sure you’re well-versed in the company’s product range. Familiarise yourself with their artisanal and speciality offerings, as well as any recent launches. This will not only show your passion for food but also demonstrate your commitment to understanding their business.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Be prepared to discuss your experience with P&L and budget management. Think of specific examples where you've driven growth or improved margins in previous roles. This will help you illustrate your strong commercial acumen, which is crucial for the National Account Manager position.
✨Build Relationships
Highlight your relationship-building skills during the interview. Share stories about how you've successfully managed stakeholder relationships in the past. This role requires excellent interpersonal skills, so showing that you can connect with various customer touchpoints will be a big plus.
✨Prepare for NPD Discussions
Since launching new products is a key responsibility, come ready to discuss any relevant experience you have with NPD. Think about how you’ve contributed to successful launches before and be ready to share insights on what makes a product successful in the market.