National Account Manager

The Oval Partnership are currently working exclusively with an innovative food manufacturer who are looking for National Account Manager to work with major retailers and join a growing organisation who offer a friendly, ethical and forward-thinking environment. We are looking for ambitious individuals on the upward curve who want progression.

PURPOSE:          

Working closely with and reporting to the Senior Account Manager to foster the ‘customer intimate’ approach with our one of their largest UK retail accounts. You will be based at site with frequent travel to the retailers Head Office. Your role will be to further develop the very successful business between our client and the retailer though exceptional customer service and communication, great personal relationships, excellent account management together with a passion to succeed. In addition, you will be able to demonstrate an ability to work with and manipulate complex financial data to deliver profitable mutual growth. Your focus will be on developing the own label sales and on growing both our client and the retailer’s business profitably. Due to the importance of the retail account to our clients business, this role will have a very high profile with interaction at board level.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Full P&L responsibility and National Head Office sales and negotiation with one of our largest retail customers at all levels and cross functionally.
• Annual Joint Business Planning and execution, with implementation of 3-5 year supply partnerships where possible.
• Working with the retailer you will develop and implement a plan for product and category enhancement in close collaboration with your Category Marketing and NPD colleagues. You will utilise the retailer’s own data together with market data and market research to build compelling category plans, growing our businesses together.
• Working closely with the UK Forecast Manager and Sales Co-ordinator to maintain weekly and monthly forecasts and assume responsibility for impeccable customer service levels
• High levels of interaction with our sourcing and technical departments to secure suitable raw material and product for ongoing lines and NPD. Liaising internally on the development of our existing sources in line with retailer sourcing policies.

• To analyse, report, and implement action plans against weekly and monthly sales performance and forecast accuracy, feeding into the periodic board reports.

PERSON PROFILE

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Ideally educated to degree level or above
• At least 2 years’ experience in sales, preferably within a chilled or frozen category as an Account Executive.
• Having worked on one of the major 4 retailers would be an advantage, but not essential.
• Able to demonstrate an ability for self-management, but also able to work very closely with a hands-on line manager as part of a broader team approach
• Experience working within a category management led business
• Well-developed IT experience, especially Excel and PowerPoint
• Full UK driving licence

QUALITIES AND ATTRIBUTES

• Very strong communication skills
• Used to working as part of a cross functional team to get the job done
• Willing to travel within the UK (to customers and between sites) and abroad if required
• Diligent in maintaining reports, responses and paperwork
• Ability to assimilate product knowledge/new concepts quickly
• Urgent and responsive – to customer and business needs
• Results orientated – enthusiastic, energetic and committed
• Ambitious and entrepreneurial
• Diplomatic and culturally aware
• Strong problem solving skills
• See’s the bigger picture

PACKAGE:

Our client is offering a salary of £45-55k for this role including attractive benefits