At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead key retail accounts and drive sales growth through strategic planning and negotiation.
- Company: Wasabi, a rapidly growing Asian food brand with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, discounts, and wellness support.
- Other info: Opportunity for career development in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and contribute to exciting growth in the grocery sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing FMCG grocery accounts and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Founded in 2003, Wasabi's vision is to lovingly create and serve delicious Asian food for a busy nation. Wasabi now has 42 thriving restaurants across London and major UK cities and 4 in New York. In 2019, we introduced Wasabi Home Bento the grocery channel, launching exclusively in Sainsbury's. Building on that success, the grocery business broadened its reach to Tesco in September 2022, followed by exciting launches in Co-op and Morrisons in 2024. Wasabi grocery has seen phenomenal growth and is now a £62m RSV brand, with 2 chilled ready-meal brands in the market, consistently attracting new customers to the category through an innovative East Asian range.
We have an ambitious 5-year growth strategy, focusing on new restaurants, franchise partnerships, and international expansion. As we prepare for our next phase of growth and innovation, we have an incredibly exciting opportunity for a National Account Manager to join our Grocery Team based in Park Royal. This is a 6-month fixed term contract role.
This role will be responsible for leading commercial relationships with our key national retail customers. You will be responsible for driving sales growth, profitability, and category performance through strategic account planning, negotiation, and execution. You will ensure that the brand and commercial strategies are effectively delivered while maximizing distribution, visibility, and promotional impact.
- Commercial & Account Management
- Manage and grow strategic relationships with our national retail accounts.
- Ensure that all data, information, and admin required to support the customer relationship is rigorously and robustly managed.
- Lead business reviews with your customers to track performance and identify new opportunities.
- Grow your network and engagement across retail customer teams.
- Sales & Revenue Delivery
- P&L management – deliver sales, volume and margin targets for your customers.
- Ownership of the commercial P&L for your customer, ensure budgets are met and we are investing in the right areas to drive business growth.
- Identify and action growth opportunities and risk mitigation strategies.
- Forecasting & Planning
- Undertake sales analysis and reporting for your accounts using internal systems, customer data, and category insight tools.
- Align customer plans with internal commercial and brand strategies.
- Field sales – planning, managing budget for most effective ROI, implementing, and reporting for your account.
- Partner with demand planning to maintain high service levels and in-store availability and forecast accuracy.
- Be the commercial lead on ad hoc assigned projects (e.g. support in the evolution and improvement of key business processes and control documents).
- Embed Seiyaku ESG commitments (Net Zero, Sustainable Sourcing, Reduce Waste, Socially Responsible) into customer joint business plans, identifying and delivering initiatives that support both commercial growth and ESG targets.
- Use sales, insight and category data (IRI, Kantar etc.) to monitor market performance, promotional activity, and category dynamics.
Proven experience managing branded FMCG grocery accounts is essential. A good understanding and appreciation of supporting functions (supply chain, food, procurement etc.) is required. The ideal candidate should be adaptable and agile with excellent organisation and project management skills, and the ability to use data and insights to solve problems and identify opportunities. Experience and confidence using Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint is also necessary.
Benefits:
- Pension scheme
- Target Bonus
- Refer A Friend Scheme
- Free Sushi or hot food (vegan options available)
- 50% discount in our Branches
- Employee Assistant Programme
- Help@Hand (a service providing health and wellbeing support)
- Long Service Awards
- Wagestream - a financial wellbeing benefit that lets you access your pay as you earn it in real time and manage savings
- Life Assurance
- Electric Vehicle Scheme through Octopus
- Cycle To Work
- Free on-site parking
- A variety of discounts (shopping, food & drink, entertainment and health & fitness) through Perkbox
Please note that certain benefits may not apply to fixed term contracts.
National Account Manager - Fixed Term Contract employer: Wasabi Co. Ltd
Wasabi is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that celebrates innovation and growth within the fast-paced food industry. As a National Account Manager based in Park Royal, you will benefit from a supportive environment that prioritises employee wellbeing, with perks such as free meals, flexible financial benefits, and opportunities for professional development. Join us as we expand our reach and make a meaningful impact in the grocery sector, all while enjoying a range of employee benefits designed to enhance your work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land National Account Manager - Fixed Term Contract
✨Get Your Foot in the Door Early
In retail, many temporary roles pop up during peak seasons, like Christmas or summer sales. Keep an eye on the calendars for these spikes and start scouting for opportunities a bit in advance. We can even help you stay sharp on your search!
✨Utilise Local Connections
Visit local shops in person and chat with managers about potential temporary openings. Many retail positions are filled by word-of-mouth, so don’t underestimate the power of a good conversation while you grab a coffee or do your weekly shopping!
✨Show Off Your Availability
Retail managers love flexibility! Make sure to highlight your availability in a casual chat or when you apply through our website. The more open you are to work varied shifts, the more likely they are to bring you on board—especially for temporary gigs!
✨Be Ready for On-the-Spot Interviews
When you walk into a shop, be prepared for the possibility of an on-the-spot interview. Dress comfortably but smartly, have a few key points about your experience ready, and be enthusiastic. Remember, it’s all about making that positive first impression!
We think you need these skills to ace National Account Manager - Fixed Term Contract
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any relevant experience you've got, whether it’s casual jobs or volunteer work. Employers want to see that you can interact well with customers, so think about any instances where you've gone the extra mile to help someone out.
Flexibility Is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary position, you should emphasise your flexibility in your application. Mention your availability clearly in your cover letter and CV—employers love knowing they can rely on you to work varied hours, especially during busy periods!
Keep It Short and Sweet:For temporary roles, we don’t need an essay! Keep your CV and cover letter concise, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills. Highlight any specific retail achievements, like sales targets met or product knowledge that demonstrates your eagerness to dive straight in.
Tailor Your Application to Wasabi Co. Ltd:Don’t forget to personalise your application for Wasabi Co. Ltd! Take a look at their values and product range, and if you’ve had previous experience with similar brands, mention that. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and have a good understanding of what they do.
How to prepare for a job interview at Wasabi Co. Ltd
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In retail, it's all about customer interaction, so be ready to share examples of how you've handled tough customer situations. We recommend thinking through a couple of scenarios before the interview where you went above and beyond to help a customer, as these can really make you stand out.
✨Brush Up on Product Knowledge
Temporary roles often have a steep learning curve because you'll need to pick up product knowledge fast. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the main products or services that Wasabi Co. Ltd offers, and if possible, try to understand their current promotions. It’ll give you the edge to engage customers effectively.
✨Flexibility is Key
Being in a temporary retail role means you may need to adapt quickly to different tasks or shifts. Be prepared to highlight your flexibility and willingness to take on varied responsibilities during the interview. Think of examples where you've had to juggle multiple tasks at once – that’ll show you're a great fit for the dynamic retail environment.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since retail roles often require collaboration, be ready to showcase your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you worked well with colleagues, especially in fast-paced situations. This will underline your ability to slot into the team at Wasabi Co. Ltd and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
