At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage key accounts, drive sales growth, and enhance customer relationships in the food industry.
- Company: Dynamic company focused on innovation and client satisfaction in the FMCG sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Field-based role with opportunities for career advancement and involvement in sustainability initiatives.
- Why this job: Join a team that values your input and helps you grow while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in B2B sales, especially in food manufacturing, with strong relationship management skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
We are looking to hire a pro-active Key Account Manager to work with our larger clients.
This role will report directly to the Head of Sales, supporting our key clients.
Experience of dealing with large clients is essential, ideally in the food industry.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver annual sales plan for assigned key accounts to achieve revenue growth of 10% by year-end; maintain KPI "greater than or equal to" target margin.
- Own account management process; ensure CRM data accuracy and compliance at 100% for all interactions.
- Partner with cross‑functional teams (NPD, Customer Services, HR, Marketing, Operations, Finance) to remove blockers and deliver seamless customer experience.
- Develop and execute strategic account plans to secure long‑term partnerships, including weekly onsite meetings with current and potential customers.
- Continuously improve sales workflows; document SOPs and implement measurable efficiency gains.
- Manage compliance & risk for all account activities (GDPR, contractual obligations, pricing governance).
- Report progress via dashboards and monthly reviews; elevate risks or delays promptly to leadership.
- Contribute to DEI, sustainability, and wellbeing initiatives relevant to client engagement and company values.
- Attend and actively contribute to required meetings, including pipeline reviews, client strategy sessions and quarterly business reviews.
- Monitor market trends and competitor activity; provide insights to inform pricing and product positioning.
- Drive customer satisfaction and retention by resolving issues quickly and maintaining proactive communication.
Essential
- Experience in FMCG or food manufacturing sector, especially with experience of bread, multi‑site or complex supply chain environments.
- Professional certifications such as Key Account Management, Negotiation Skills, or Sales Leadership or equivalent experience.
- Proven experience in B2B sales within the food manufacturing or bakery ingredients sector, managing large or strategic accounts.
- Strong technical understanding of bakery processes and ingredient functionality.
Skills
- Strategic account planning and relationship management.
- Negotiation and influencing skills with senior stakeholders.
- Data analysis and forecasting (Excel, BI tools).
- Problem‑solving and solution selling in a technical environment.
- Communication: Clear written and verbal communication; ability to present technical solutions to non‑technical audiences.
- Digital/Systems: Proficient in CRM systems (e. g., Salesforce), MS Office Suite; intermediate Excel for data analysis.
- Compliance Awareness: Food safety standards (e. g., BRC, HACCP), GDPR, and contractual compliance relevant to client management.
- Commercial Acumen: Ability to manage pricing structures, margin targets, and profitability for key accounts.
Desirable
- Project management or process improvement credentials (e. g., PRINCE2, Six Sigma).
PLEASE NOTE: This is a site and field based role. We are unable to offer sponsorship or hire anyone that requires this or visa support. NO AGENCIES.
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Key Account Manager employer: Zeelandia Ltd
At Zeelandia, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative work culture that values quality and innovation in the food industry. Our QA Technicians benefit from comprehensive training and development opportunities, ensuring personal and professional growth while contributing to our commitment to food safety and quality standards. Located in a vibrant area, we provide a supportive environment where employees can thrive and make a meaningful impact on our products and services.
