National Account Manager

The Company

My client is one of the UK's largest designers, manufacturers, importers and distributors of Gifts and Cards and Creative Play products. They currently have an exciting opportunity for a National Account Manager to join their high-performing National Accounts team, with direct responsibility for a Top 4 Grocery account, as well as a portfolio of smaller customers.

The company is a design led business boasting a number of awards for both innovation and products across a diverse and varied range. Their team of designers continually develop new collections in line with current market trends and customer design briefs as well as unique designs of their own creation.

The Role

As a National Account Manager you will report directly to the Sales Director and  will be responsible for the organic growth of your accounts as well as continually looking for new ways to develop and generate business. This is a fast moving environment where you will be working with own label and branded products, so knowledge of both areas would be ideal for this role.

This role will require you to be in the office 1-2 days per week, as you will be expected to work directly with the in-house design team to help develop and refine new and existing ranges. The rest of your time will be spent visiting customers and growing your own individual accounts.

Key Responsibilities

• Accountability for delivering targets on profit and turnover.
• Responsibility for managing the accounts on a daily basis, with support and involvement from others departments as necessary.
• Forecast business in line with other divisional requirements.
• Responsible for regular contact with the customers to maximise the effectiveness of account penetration to maintain and develop customer relationships.
• Promote the company image, products and strategies in a positive manner.
• Negotiate with all existing and prospective customers to ensure the selling price gives the best possible return for the company. 

The candidate

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who has an entrepreneurial attitude to assist in producing world class product ranges and contribute to the strategic direction and development of the business.

The right candidate will ideally have 2-3 years or more sales experience from a non-food FMCG background, preferably from within the Cards, Wrap, Gift or Plush Toy sectors. You will also have current responsibility for a Top 4 Grocery account. The right candidate must be able to work in an autonomous role with the ability to develop solutions.  

Essential skills for this position include:

• Negotiation skills
• Results orientated
• Strong communication
• Influencer
• Presentation skills
• Relationship management
• Innovative / creative