Senior National Account Manager

Senior National Account Manager – Grocery Retail Leading Branded Food Products Salary up to £65,000 plus £9,000 car allowance and benefits An established and ambitious food manufacturer is looking to appoint a Senior National Account Manager to join its grocery retail team. This is an exciting opportunity to join a successful, privately owned food business at an important stage in its development. The company has a strong portfolio of leading branded products within the UK grocery market and ambitious plans to increase distribution, accelerate brand growth and bring further innovation to its categories. The business offers the commercial challenge and scale of a national food manufacturer while retaining the pace, accessibility and autonomy of an entrepreneurial business. The Role Reporting to the Sales Director, you will take responsibility for a portfolio of major UK grocery retail customers across leading branded products. You will have significant autonomy to shape the customer agenda, build strong commercial relationships and identify new opportunities for profitable growth. Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing strategic relationships with key grocery retail customers and becoming a trusted commercial partner
• Building annual customer plans covering distribution, pricing, promotions, innovation and account growth
• Managing the overall commercial performance of your accounts, with responsibility for sales, margin and investment
• Preparing for and leading customer meetings, negotiations and range reviews
• Identifying portfolio opportunities and presenting commercially compelling recommendations
• Working with category and marketing teams to create insight-led customer proposals
• Coordinating new product launches and ensuring their successful implementation with retail partners
• Collaborating with finance, supply chain, technical and operational colleagues to deliver customer commitments
• Monitoring performance against agreed targets and responding proactively to risks and opportunities
• Maintaining accurate forecasts and providing clear commercial updates to the wider business
• Supporting the continued development of the company's brands and retail proposition The Candidate We are looking for a commercially capable and relationship-focused National Account Manager with experience working with major UK grocery retailers in a branded food or wider FMCG environment. You may already be operating at National Account Manager level or be a high-performing National Account Executive who is ready to take on greater customer ownership. The successful candidate will ideally offer:
• Experience managing, or playing a significant role in managing, a major grocery retail account
• Good knowledge of the UK grocery market and its commercial processes
• Experience contributing to customer negotiations, joint business plans and range reviews
• An understanding of account profitability, promotional investment and commercial forecasting
• The ability to interpret customer and market information and turn it into practical growth opportunities
• Confidence presenting to customers and influencing stakeholders at different levels
• Strong cross-functional working skills and a collaborative approach
• The drive and initiative to operate independently and take ownership of decisions
• A genuine interest in food, brands, innovation and category development Why Apply? This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing, privately owned food manufacturer where you will have genuine visibility, autonomy and the ability to make a meaningful commercial contribution. The company offers an open and collaborative culture, limited hierarchy and direct access to senior decision-makers. The position will particularly suit someone seeking greater ownership and influence than might typically be available within a larger corporate environment. Geography The position will be home-based, with travel to customers as required and an expectation of spending approximately one day per week at the company's West Yorkshire site. Candidates should be based within practical travelling distance of West Yorkshire and the major UK grocery retail head offices. Salary and Benefits
• Basic salary of up to £65,000, dependent upon experience
• £9,000 annual car allowance
• Company pension contribution
• Additional company benefits
• Home-based working For more information, please contact Aidan Goodall at FMCG Selection on 01943 667280 or email aidan@fmcgselection.co.uk