National Account Manager/ Business Development Manager

National Account Manager/ Business Development Manager

Sector/Industry: Food Manufacturing/ FMCG/ Food Ingredients

Are you interested in food development, NPD and solution providing?  Are you a strong relationship manager who is able to maximise accounts as well as seek new business?  If you’re a foodie, work well in an autonomous environment and enjoy a small yet developing team, please read on.

• You can expect to be a part of a business who are expanding into exciting new channels
• You can expect to operate in an autonomous environment and in a close knit team

Based in the North West, this food manufacturer is looking to recruit a National Account Manager/ Business Development Manager to operate within the Industrial/ B2B channel as the business expands.  This is a brand new opportunity, created due to the increased business and will lend to a vast opportunity in developing new business with other food manufacturers, providing solutions and getting into the detail of the customer’s needs.

A food ingredients specialist, this company specialise in a particular sector and have a wealth of experience operating within the business.  They are passionate about offering solutions, developing new products and providing a service to a number of their customers.  Entrepreneurial, autonomous, expanding, service orientated, solutions providers are a few words which describe this business and the culture.

Reporting to the Commercial Director and with the opportunity to develop the role to a more senior and strategic position within the business, you will be responsible for winning new business within the Industrial/ B2B/ food manufacturing channel, gaining market share and taking responsibility for accounts thereafter as well as taking on a portfolio of existing accounts in the channel to further maximise.

You will:

• Hold Full Account Management responsibility for the product range within target accounts. Responsibilities include seeking and delivery of new customers, management of costings and pricing, terms, contracts, maintenance of accurate records, forecasting and supply chain, product approvals, technical matters and Customer Satisfaction.
• Instigate New Business activities through proactive research, Customer visits; follow up of leads, development of propositions and presentation of proposals. 
• Identify customer requirements for products and provide solutions.
• Development and delivery of new applications and, where necessary, new products in order to generate sustainable and profitable new business.

Successful candidates will have already operated in a Business Development/ National Account Management position within a food ingredients business and have a passion for NPD.  

You will:

• Hold Account Management and New Customer Development experience with the food ingredients sector selling to other food manufacturers 
• Be solutions focused relationship builder, collaborative 
• Be a confident communicator with well developed presentation skills
• Hold excellent interpersonal skills; curious, persuasive, diplomatic 
• Hold excellent listening and influencing skills
• Have a level of independence; resourceful
• Be naturally analytical and numerical
• Hold solid planning and organising skills
• Be IT Proficient across the full suite of  e.g. Microsoft Office including use of spreadsheet costings
• Be familiar in Sales Planning, Forecasting and Strategy
• Be familiar in the use/development of Costing Models 

As you would expect strong relationship building, influencing and communication skills are required.  You will also be able to demonstrate operating to a high level of complexity, with evidence of strong negotiation skills and delivery through the winning of new accounts and customer service.

This is a hugely exciting opportunity which will allow for career progression!  If your ambitious, and want to take hold, and shape a new role, please don’t hesitate in applying.

To apply directly please send a copy of your CV and cover letter through to Emilie.Gregson@advocate-group.co.uk or alternatively please apply via the link below.

Whilst we will always endeavour to respond to you, due to the high levels of applications we receive this isn’t always possible. If you are not contacted within 3 working days, you have unfortunately not been shortlisted for this role. 
Please note The Advocate Group is acting as an employment agency & business.