Key Account Director - Trailer Rental in Altrincham

This is a high-impact, senior commercial leadership role within Zenith's Trailer Rental division, offering a rare opportunity to shape strategy, influence change and drive sustainable business growth at scale.

As Key Account Director, you will sit on the senior management team with full ownership of the sales and key account strategy for Trailer Rental. You will lead and grow some of the UK's most significant customer relationships, managing major national accounts including Amazon, DHL, Royal Mail Group and GXO, working with some of the largest fleets in the UK. This role is ideal for a highly strategic commercial leader with a strong track record of managing and growing major/key accounts, who is motivated by building long-term partnerships, developing people, and leaving a lasting legacy.

Zenith's Trailer Rental business provides over 6,500 heavy goods semi-trailers to many of the UK's leading organisations, offering the widest range of trailer types in the market. We pride ourselves on delivering bespoke, high-quality solutions that drive multi-year customer retention and organic growth.

As part of the wider Zenith Group, Trailer Rental benefits from significant cross-functional sales opportunities, enabling collaboration across fleet, technology and mobility solutions to deliver outstanding value to shared customers.

• Own and deliver the national sales and key account strategy for the Trailer Rental division.
• Drive sustained income growth year on year, with full accountability for budget delivery and profitability.
• Identify and develop short-, medium- and long-term commercial opportunities through robust research, analysis and strategic account planning.
• Ensure we sell on service, quality and value, not low-margin volume.
• Lead and grow strategic relationships with major national customers at C-suite and senior stakeholder level.
• Oversee complex tenders, negotiations and contract renewals, ensuring strong commercial governance and risk management.
• Grow the ratio of contract hire versus spot hire, improving utilisation and long-term value.
• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing team (c.3 FTE), creating a culture of engagement, accountability, learning and inclusion.
• Build succession plans and develop talent in line with future growth expectations.
• Set clear objectives and performance measures to drive delivery and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with stakeholders across Zenith to maximise cross-functional sales opportunities and ensure seamless customer delivery.
• Influence across commercial, operations, finance, technology and supply chain functions to optimise performance and customer outcomes.

• Consistent delivery of budget and growth plans.
• Increased trailer utilisation and improved average weekly rates.
• Strong, trusted and long-term relationships with key customers and suppliers.
• A motivated, engaged and high-performing team.
• A visible and positive impact on the growth and direction of the Trailer Rental business.

• Proven experience in a senior, strategic B2B sales or key account role within the Commercial Vehicle industry (ideally Trailer experience), with clear evidence of managing and growing major/key accounts.
• Strong knowledge of the Trailer rental or Commercial vehicle rental industry.
• Strong commercial acumen, including pricing, contract negotiation and financial modelling.
• Experience owning and delivering sales budgets and performance targets.
• Ability to operate at a strategic level while remaining hands-on when needed.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, influencing at all levels internally and externally.

• Previous people leadership experience, leading and developing sales or account management teams.

This is a national role, home-based with regular travel to Manchester and Leeds, supported by an agile and flexible approach that balances customer, business and personal needs.

• Salary up to £90,000
• Company bonus
• Company car
• Employer Pension contribution 6.25%
• 24 days annual leave & 1 day for your birthday, with the option to buy more
• Health & wellbeing: Private Medical Cover, Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, Dental and Health Cash Plans, Funded HRT Treatment, and more.
• Financial Benefits: Tech Scheme, Car Sacrifice Scheme, Cycle to Work Scheme, Season Ticket Loans, AA breakdown cover.
• Career Development: Opportunities for professional growth and access to our MyGPS personal development framework.
• Perks at Work – save money on everyday essentials with access to a shopping discounts site.
• Support for your wellbeing – access to company GP, Employee Assistance Programme, Pensions advice, Funded HRT Treatment, and Mental Health First Aiders
• Agile Working: Flexible working arrangements to suit you, with free parking onsite.
• Social Activities: Sports and social clubs, company activities, and team events.
• Inclusive Culture: colleague-led equality groups and be part of a company committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

• A genuine opportunity to make your mark and influence change at senior level.
• Work with some of the largest and most recognisable brands in the UK.
• Be part of a business that values long-term relationships, quality and innovation.
• Access significant cross-functional sales opportunities across the wider Zenith Group.
• Join a supportive, ambitious and forward-thinking leadership team.

We want to positively encourage differences in Zenith and believe it is critical to our success as a company. Zenith is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace that seeks to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We therefore encourage applications from all genders, races, religions, ages and sexual orientations, as well as parents, veterans, people living with disabilities, and any other groups that could bring diverse perspectives to our business.