At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage key national retail accounts and drive new business opportunities.
- Company: Join a fast-growing, health-focused drinks brand transforming the FMCG market.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, a competitive salary, and a monthly wellness allowance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic start-up and build brands from the ground up.
- Qualifications: Experience in UK grocery national account management and strong commercial leadership skills required.
- Other info: Work closely with the CEO and be part of an ambitious team.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
High-Growth FMCG Start-up (Grocery & Health Channels)
Location: Flexible hybrid working, Central London
Essential: UK grocery national account management experience
Looking to make a real impact in a high-growth FMCG start-up? We are partnered with a fast-moving, health-focused drinks brand on a mission to transform the market — and we’re looking for a commercially sharp, entrepreneurial National Account Manager to join their growing team at a VERY exciting time. Reporting directly to the CEO, you’ll take full ownership of key accounts and play a leading role in driving new business opportunities as the business scales. If you’re passionate about building brands from the ground up, love the thrill of winning new business, and have experience scaling national accounts (ideally from first wins through to £3M+ turnover), this could be the role for you.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Account Management
- Day-to-day management of a major national retail account (e.g Holland & Barrett and more)
- Lead all promotional planning, marketing activities, and performance reporting
- Build strong relationships with buyers, supply chain teams, and marketing contacts
- Oversee wholesaler relationships, managing promotional plans and demand forecasting
- Ensure retailer marketing activity is fully aligned with brand strategies
- New Business Development
- Work closely with the founder to support and drive new business wins
- Target and secure listings with major grocers (e.g., Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Ocado)
- Develop new opportunities in contract catering and travel sectors
- Manage outreach and negotiation from first contact to listing
- Trade Marketing
- Shape and implement a strong trade marketing strategy in collaboration with the leadership team
- Brief creative agencies to develop high-impact, on-brand materials
- Represent the brand at key trade shows and build relationships with industry stakeholders
What We’re Looking For:
- A strong commercial leader with full P&L management experience
- A proven track record of winning and growing national retail accounts
- Deep understanding of the grocery channel and/or health sector
- Excellent relationship-building, negotiation, and strategic planning skills
- Highly organised with a proactive, entrepreneurial spirit
- Experience in an FMCG start-up, challenger brand, or fast-growth environment is highly desirable
What’s On Offer:
- £45,000 - £55,000 base salary + performance related bonus
- Flexible working — mix of home, co-working spaces, and office meetups
- Company pension scheme (3% employer contribution)
- 25 days holiday per year, plus bank holidays
- Monthly healthy living allowance towards gym memberships, wellness initiatives, or health insurance
- Leadership development and continuous learning opportunities
Excited to join a passionate, ambitious team creating something genuinely different? If you’re motivated by making a real impact, building strong customer relationships, and helping grow an exciting FMCG challenger brand, we’d love to hear from you.
National Account Manager - Grocery employer: YF
Contact Detail:
YF Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land National Account Manager - Grocery
✨Tip Number 1
Network within the FMCG sector, especially with professionals who have experience in grocery national account management. Attend industry events and trade shows to connect with potential colleagues and decision-makers at companies like Sainsbury’s and Waitrose.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the specific health-focused drinks brand you’re applying to. Understand their product range, market positioning, and recent developments. This knowledge will help you tailor your conversations and demonstrate your genuine interest during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous successes in managing national accounts, particularly any experiences that led to significant growth or new business wins. Use metrics and examples to illustrate your impact and how you can replicate that success in this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your entrepreneurial spirit by sharing any initiatives you've taken in past roles that align with the start-up culture. Highlight your ability to adapt quickly, think creatively, and drive results in a fast-paced environment.
We think you need these skills to ace National Account Manager - Grocery
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your UK grocery national account management experience. Focus on specific achievements, such as successful account growth or new business wins, to demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the FMCG sector and your entrepreneurial spirit. Mention how your skills align with the company's mission to transform the market and your excitement about the opportunity to work directly with the CEO.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise your relationship-building, negotiation, and strategic planning skills. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed major retail accounts and driven new business opportunities in the past.
Showcase Your Understanding of the Market: Demonstrate your deep understanding of the grocery channel and health sector in your application. Discuss any relevant trends or insights you have that could benefit the company, showing that you're not just a candidate but a potential asset to their growth.
How to prepare for a job interview at YF
✨Showcase Your Grocery Experience
Make sure to highlight your previous experience in UK grocery national account management. Be prepared to discuss specific accounts you've managed and the strategies you employed to grow those relationships.
✨Demonstrate Your Entrepreneurial Spirit
This role requires a proactive and entrepreneurial mindset. Share examples of how you've taken initiative in past roles, particularly in fast-paced or start-up environments, to drive new business opportunities.
✨Prepare for Relationship Building
Since building strong relationships is key, think about how you can demonstrate your relationship-building skills. Prepare anecdotes that showcase your ability to connect with buyers and stakeholders effectively.
✨Understand the Brand's Vision
Research the health-focused drinks brand thoroughly. Understand their mission and values, and be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, as well as how you can contribute to their growth.