At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a high-performing Key Account team in the foodservice sector.
- Company: Dynamic foodservice business focused on growth and development.
- Benefits: Work from home, company car, uncapped commission, and ongoing professional development.
- Other info: Join a supportive culture with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape a growing team and make a real impact in a thriving industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading account management teams and strong commercial awareness.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are delighted to be working with a foodservice business that is looking to appoint an experienced Group Account Sales Manager to lead, coach and inspire a well-established, high-performing Key Account team during an exciting period of growth. This is a fantastic opportunity for a commercially driven sales leader who thrives on developing people, building winning sales cultures, and helping account managers unlock their full potential.
While the role retains a hands-on commercial element, the real focus is leadership — empowering the Key Account team to grow existing business, maximise opportunities and deliver exceptional customer relationships across the foodservice sector.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Commercial Director, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the performance, structure and success of the Key Account function. You will lead and mentor a team of Key Account Managers, providing guidance, coaching and strategic direction to help them achieve ambitious growth targets. This is not a role centred around directly managing every customer relationship yourself; instead, your success will come from enabling the wider team to perform at their very best. Alongside leadership responsibilities, you will maintain commercial awareness within the market, support key strategic opportunities, contribute to tender processes and help drive profitable business growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, mentor and develop a team of Key Account Managers and Specialists
- Create a high-performance sales culture focused on growth, retention and customer excellence
- Support the team in identifying and converting new business opportunities
- Coach and challenge the team to maximise account performance and margin growth
- Provide strategic input into key tenders and customer opportunities
- Build credibility with senior customer stakeholders while supporting existing account relationships
- Work collaboratively with commercial teams and suppliers to drive sales performance
- Identify market opportunities, category gaps and regional growth potential
- Monitor team performance against sales and margin objectives
- Represent the Key Account function within wider commercial discussions
- Running monthly team meetings
We are looking for an experienced leader with a proven ability to lead and inspire successful account management teams. You will bring strong commercial awareness alongside a genuine passion for coaching, developing and motivating people. You ideally will have:
- A strong background ideally from the foodservice sector
- Previous experience managing or mentoring Key Account teams
- The ability to influence and communicate effectively at senior leadership level
- Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills
- A collaborative and supportive leadership style
- The gravitas to add value within strategic customer meetings without overshadowing relationships
- High levels of organisation, energy and resilience
- A customer-centric approach with strong commercial acumen
- A full UK driving licence
What’s on Offer
- Working from home contract, with the expectation that you will be out with your team or working across the different depots
- Company car
- Bonus scheme - generous uncapped commission
- Pension and additional benefits
- Ongoing professional development
- The opportunity to shape and influence a growing commercial team
This is a truly unique role that will suit someone who truly thrives on leading successful teams and has a proven track record of achieving in this type of role. It represents the opportunity to join a business that is in a great place, and with its commitment to investment is set to achieve impressive growth moving forward.
Group Account Sales Manager employer: Zest Food Jobs
Join a dynamic foodservice business that prioritises leadership and employee development, offering a supportive work culture where you can inspire and mentor a high-performing Key Account team. With a focus on professional growth, generous benefits including a company car and uncapped commission, and the flexibility of a home working contract, this role provides a unique opportunity to shape the future of the commercial team while enjoying a rewarding career in a thriving sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Account Sales Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the foodservice industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your leadership skills! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, share specific examples of how you've led teams to success. Highlight your coaching style and how you empower others to achieve their goals—this is key for a Group Account Sales Manager role.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the company culture! Before any interview, dive deep into the company’s values and mission. Tailor your responses to show how your leadership approach aligns with their goals. This will demonstrate that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for the team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly through us gives you a better shot at getting noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team. Don’t miss out!
We think you need these skills to ace Group Account Sales Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Group Account Sales Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience and any successes in developing high-performing teams, as this is what we’re really looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about leading sales teams and how your background in the foodservice sector makes you the perfect fit for this role. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive growth and build strong customer relationships. Numbers speak volumes, so if you’ve hit targets or improved team performance, make sure to include those stats!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zest Food Jobs
✨Know Your Team's Strengths
Before the interview, take some time to research and understand the dynamics of the Key Account team you’ll be leading. Think about how you can leverage their strengths and what coaching strategies you might employ to help them excel. This will show your potential employer that you're already thinking about how to empower the team.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Brush up on current trends in the foodservice sector and be prepared to discuss how these could impact the business. Bring examples of how you've successfully navigated similar challenges in the past. This will highlight your strong commercial acumen and ability to drive profitable growth.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led and developed teams in the past. Discuss your collaborative approach and how you’ve built a high-performance culture. This will help the interviewers envision you as a leader who can inspire and motivate their Key Account Managers.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Think about potential strategic opportunities or challenges the company might face and prepare to discuss how you would address them. This could include ideas for new business development or ways to enhance existing customer relationships. Showing that you can think strategically will set you apart from other candidates.
