National Account Manager

National Account Manager

Full-Time 55000 £ / year No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage key customer accounts and drive growth in absorbency and packaging products.
  • Company: Join a leading company in the packaging industry with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and development.
  • Why this job: Be the primary contact for customers and turn relationships into profitable opportunities.
  • Qualifications: Experience in managing national accounts and strong communication skills required.

We have an excellent opportunity for a National Account Manager where you will be responsible for managing and developing a portfolio of key customer accounts across the absorbency and specialist packaging product range. In addition to growing revenue within existing accounts, this role will also focus on re‑engaging dormant customers and winning back previously lost customers, turning past relationships into commercially viable opportunities. The successful candidate will act as the primary commercial contact for customers, ensuring alignment between customer requirements, operational capability, service performance, and margin expectations.

Key Responsibilities

  • Manage and develop a defined portfolio of national accounts across retail, processors, food manufacturers and specialist sectors.
  • Drive profitable growth across the businesses absorbency and specialist packaging ranges.
  • Identify and execute cross-sell and up-sell opportunities within existing accounts.
  • Develop structured account plans for top-tier customers.
  • Identify dormant and lapsed accounts (no trade in 12+ months) and develop structured reactivation plans.
  • Re-engage lost customers with targeted commercial proposals aligned to current businesses capabilities.
  • Convert reactivated accounts into sustainable repeat business.
  • Report quarterly on dormant account pipeline and conversion performance.
  • Protect and grow gross margin through disciplined pricing and cost recovery.
  • Lead customer price reviews in line with raw material movements and business strategy.
  • Ensure all new or reactivated business meets agreed commercial thresholds.
  • Work closely with customers to develop and convert new product development opportunities.
  • Ensure effective qualification before sampling.
  • Drive strong conversion from trial to commercial launch.
  • Provide accurate rolling 12-month forecasts for managed accounts.
  • Work closely with Customer Service, Operations and Procurement to ensure demand visibility and delivery performance.
  • Support stock management and minimise obsolescence risk.

Skills & Experience

  • Experience managing national accounts within packaging, food manufacturing or absorbency sectors.
  • Proven track record of account growth and customer retention.
  • Strong commercial acumen and margin awareness.
  • Ability to manage complex customer requirements.
  • Strong forecasting discipline and CRM capability.
  • Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
  • Clean driving licence and willingness to travel regularly.

National Account Manager employer: We Are Zenith

As a National Account Manager with us, you'll thrive in a dynamic work culture that prioritises collaboration and innovation. We offer competitive benefits, including professional development opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career, all while working in a supportive environment that values your contributions. Join us in our commitment to excellence and make a meaningful impact in the absorbency and specialist packaging sectors.
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Contact Detail:

We Are Zenith Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land National Account Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that National Account Manager role.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their products, market position, and recent news. We want you to walk in feeling confident and ready to discuss how you can drive profitable growth in their absorbency and specialist packaging ranges.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! You’ll need to showcase your experience in managing national accounts and your knack for re-engaging dormant customers. We suggest rehearsing with a friend or in front of a mirror to nail that delivery.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. We believe showing appreciation can set you apart from other candidates vying for that key account management position.

We think you need these skills to ace National Account Manager

Account Management
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Commercial Acumen
Margin Awareness
Forecasting Discipline
Negotiation Skills
Communication Skills
Sales Growth Strategy
Reactivation Planning
Product Development
Cross-Selling and Up-Selling
Operational Capability Alignment
Customer Service Collaboration
Travel Willingness

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the National Account Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing national accounts, especially in packaging or food manufacturing. We want to see how you've driven growth and retained customers in your previous roles!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific examples of how you've re-engaged dormant customers or developed structured account plans. We love a good story that showcases your skills!

Show Off Your Commercial Acumen: In your application, make sure to demonstrate your strong commercial awareness. Talk about how you've protected margins and managed pricing strategies in the past. We’re looking for someone who can think strategically and drive profitable growth!

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 gives you a chance to explore more about us and what we do!

How to prepare for a job interview at We Are Zenith

✨Know Your Accounts

Before the interview, dive deep into the company’s key customer accounts. Understand their needs, challenges, and how the products fit into their operations. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you’re ready to manage and develop these relationships.

✨Showcase Your Success Stories

Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully grown accounts or re-engaged dormant customers in the past. Use metrics to quantify your achievements, like revenue growth percentages or successful cross-sell initiatives. This will highlight your proven track record and commercial acumen.

✨Understand the Market

Familiarise yourself with current trends in the absorbency and specialist packaging sectors. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact the company and its customers. This shows that you’re not just focused on the role but also on the broader industry landscape.

✨Prepare Questions

Have a list of insightful questions ready for the interviewer. Ask about their strategies for managing dormant accounts or how they measure success in account management. This demonstrates your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.

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