At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage major retail accounts and drive sales performance with data-led insights.
- Company: Established fresh produce business with a focus on growth and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and the chance to shape category strategy.
- Why this job: Take ownership of key accounts and make a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in account management, strong commercial acumen, and excellent relationship-building skills.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a busy, collaborative setting.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: West Midlands (with UK & occasional overseas travel)
Reporting to: Commercial Director / Business Unit Manager
An established and growing fresh produce business is looking to bring an experienced Account Manager into their team, to take ownership of one or two of their major retail accounts. This role will allow you to take full responsibility for sales performance, margins, ranging, promotions and category development, working closely with customers, suppliers and internal teams.
You will manage customer relationships and P&L performance for your category, using data-led insight to drive profitable growth. The role combines commercial management, category strategy, NPD involvement and customer-facing leadership.
Key Responsibilities:- Full ownership of customer relationships and P&L for your product category
- Deliver sales, margin and gross trade profit in line with agreed budgets
- Develop and implement category strategies using market, consumer and demographic data
- Lead and contribute to category reviews with customers, including recommendations on NPD, promotions, merchandising and packaging
- Manage ranging, pricing, promotional activity and performance analysis
- Identify and develop new customer and market opportunities
- Work closely with procurement to ensure accurate margin forecasts and strong supplier performance
- Support and deliver New Product Development in line with internal processes
- Prepare and present commercial proposals and category plans to customers and internal stakeholders
- Manage and mentor account managers, executives or assistants within the category
- Travel within the UK and overseas as required
- Proven experience in an Account Manager or Category-focused commercial role, ideally within FMCG. Retail account management experience is preferable.
- Strong commercial acumen with experience managing P&L and budgets
- Confident in using data and insight to inform decision-making and strategy
- Experienced in building and maintaining strong customer and supplier relationships
- Comfortable presenting to senior stakeholders and customers
- Highly organised, proactive and able to manage multiple priorities
This is a great chance to take on a commercially influential role with real ownership and visibility, with the opportunity to shape category strategy and drive growth. If you thrive on working in a busy, collaborative and cross-functional working environment then this is an excellent next step.
Account Manager employer: Zest Food Jobs
Contact Detail:
Zest Food Jobs Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Account Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Understand their products and market position. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role and the business.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to talk about your experience and how it relates to the Account Manager role. Highlight your successes in managing P&L and building customer relationships. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you. Plus, applying directly shows your enthusiasm and commitment to joining our team. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Account Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Account Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing P&L, customer relationships, and any relevant data-driven insights you've used in previous roles. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about fresh produce and how your skills align with our needs. Be sure to mention your experience with category strategies and NPD involvement, as these are key for us.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your commercial acumen and ability to drive growth. Numbers speak volumes, so if you’ve improved sales or margins, let us know the figures!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zest Food Jobs
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Account Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of P&L and budgets. Brush up on your financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've managed these in previous roles. Use specific examples to show how your decisions have positively impacted sales and margins.
✨Showcase Your Data Skills
This role requires a strong ability to use data for decision-making. Prepare to talk about how you've used market insights and consumer data to develop category strategies. Bring examples of successful promotions or product developments that were driven by data analysis.
✨Build Rapport with the Interviewers
Since relationship management is key in this role, practice building rapport during your interview. Be personable and engage with your interviewers. Ask them questions about their experiences and the company culture to show your interest in forming strong relationships.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and commercial acumen. Think of situations where you had to manage multiple priorities or resolve conflicts with customers or suppliers. Structure your answers using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to clearly convey your thought process.