Senior National Account Manager

Senior National Account Manager Greater Manchester | Up to £70,000 + £7,000 car allowance + bonus up to 50% A branded consumer goods business is recruiting a Senior National Account Manager to take ownership of strategically important national retail customers and play a leading role in the transformation of its commercial function. The brands are household names with genuine consumer recognition, and the retail relationships are well established. The business is changing how it grows those accounts: moving away from promotionally led trading towards strategic account management, with meaningful joint business planning, data-led propositions and customer plans built around sustainable, long-term growth. A new sales methodology has been introduced alongside investment in training, data and commercial tools. This hire is intended to be one of the senior commercial people who helps demonstrate what excellent strategic account management looks like and embeds those standards across the team. The wider direction is towards stronger JBP, customer and consumer insight, sharper propositions and much more disciplined account planning. The role

• Take ownership of major national retail customers and deliver ambitious revenue and growth targets
• Build and execute strategic customer plans and JBPs that grow distribution, brand presence, market share and long-term account value
• Develop influential relationships at buyer, senior buyer and director level
• Use customer, category, consumer and competitor insight to identify growth opportunities and build compelling commercial propositions
• Lead high-quality customer negotiations, range reviews and brand and product presentations
• Identify new business opportunities across existing and prospective customers
• Work closely with Buying, Marketing, Merchandising and Supply Chain to turn customer strategy into effective execution
• Bring commercial insight and recommendations into the CCO and wider leadership team
• Help raise the standard of strategic account management across the sales function Experience sought
• Significant experience managing UK national/key retail accounts, ideally including major grocery, discounter or other large national retailers
• A background in FMCG, branded consumer goods
• Strong evidence of developing and executing JBPs or equivalent strategic customer plans
• A track record of growing significant accounts through distribution, listings, propositions and customer development rather than relying solely on promotional activity
• Strong commercial and analytical capability, with experience using customer, category or market data to shape account strategy
• Established relationships and credibility with senior retail buyers, with exposure to director-level stakeholders advantageous
• Strong negotiation, presentation and influencing skills, combined with the ability to work effectively across functions This will suit an established Senior National Account Manager seeking greater influence, or a high-performing National Account Manager ready to step into a broader, more strategic role.