We are recruiting for an Account Manager within our Retail and Foodservice Engagement team to work on a hybrid basis, two/three days from our HQ in Coventry and the remainder working remotely.

Not a classic account manager role in the commercial sense, this role would suit someone with the drive and attention to detail to deliver multiple in-store marketing projects and engage with agricultural teams within supermarkets and the wider supply chain on behalf of British farmers.

Why join AHDB?

Supporting the Senior Account Manager, you will facilitate meetings between supermarket retailers, the supply chain and AHDB representatives to promote and protect the long term prosperity of the supply chain. You will also help execute multi-million pound marketing campaigns in store and online to fully maximise and enhance AHDB’s retail offering. This role is pivotal to the ultimate success of British farming, by helping shape and grow demand for products grown and reared in Britain through the delivery of robust marketing campaigns with designated UK supermarket retailers.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, self-motivated individual with some experience of working with retailers who can demonstrate successful relationship development.  A thorough understanding of category or commercial account management and retail planning cycles, ability to build strong relationships and an interest in food or British agriculture is essential.

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is recognised nationally and internationally as a leader in delivering solutions that help British farming succeed in a rapidly changing world. Working at AHDB, you won’t just be helping to promote the food that our farmers produce, you'll be helping to shape the future of food production and leaving a legacy for the next generation.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with internal teams across the organisation to fully maximise and enhance AHDB’s retail & foodservice offering
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with key accounts, ensuring regular and sustained engagement with all relevant departments, including commercial, category and agriculture teams to help establish AHDB as a relevant and credible strategic partner
• Actively undertake budget management to ensure best use of levy funds
• Evaluate effectiveness of retail and foodservice engagement activities ensuring value for money, making recommendations for improvement and implement where appropriate
• Contribute to the development of, and support the delivery of strategic plans to drive consumer demand for British products
• Work with retail colleagues to identify and maximise opportunities for cross-sector working and to ensure consistency of approach across campaigns
• Establish tactical plans, objectives and targets for defined areas of responsibility, which are agreed with the relevant Head of Marketing, AHDB senior management and sector boards, as appropriate
• Contribute to the development of a single AHDB retail campaigns calendar (rolling 12 month), ensuring opportunities for maximum synergy across sectors and with external partners
• Manage relationships with external media agencies & processors to ensure optimal effectiveness and efficiency

Essential criteria 

• Experience of working with supermarket retailers & developing relationships with a professional account management approach
• Good commercial track record, good customer service, negotiating and influencing skills, including use of category management & understanding of retail planning cycles
• Proven ability to build strong relationships, both internally and externally, with a collaborative approach to networking
• Excellent verbal and written communication with sound analytical skills
• Good project management skills with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining a sharp attention for detail
• Full UK Driving Licence

The benefits...

We believe in rewarding our people for their hard work, so we have a great mix of benefits and opportunities, to give you the recognition you deserve:

• 35 hours per week, to include hybrid working
• 33 days annual leave plus one privilege day (inclusive of bank holidays)
• Life assurance cover (4 x salary)
• A market-leading defined contribution pension scheme with Legal & General
• Enhanced pay of 20 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, subject to length of service
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Excellent training and development opportunities and an agreed development plan
• Recognition Awards throughout the year
• Access to the Government’s tax-free childcare scheme
• Reward Gateway membership – this gives you a huge number of online discounts and savings

Apply now, or call 02476 935722 if you require any further information. 

Please note that we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of suitable applications.