Account Manager

Barfoots; Bognor Regis; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A global farming and food business in Bognor Regis is looking for an experienced Account Manager to join their Retail Sales Team. This role involves building strong relationships with retail customers, executing sales plans, and managing contracts. The ideal candidate will have experience in customer relationship management and excellent communication skills. The position offers various benefits, including a company pension scheme and development opportunities.

Benefits

Company pension scheme

24/7 Online GP access

Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Program

Discounted leisure membership

Free onsite parking

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of customer relationship management.
• Ability to operate effectively in a team and individually.
• Proactive and self-motivated.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Good commercial awareness.
• Previous FMCG or Food/Produce experience is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships with retail customers.
• Develop and execute sales plans to meet or exceed targets.
• Identify expansion opportunities across product categories.
• Negotiate contracts and price structures.
• Manage sales budget effectively.

Skills

Customer relationship management

Team collaboration

Proactivity

Communication skills

Commercial awareness

Education

Degree or equivalent

Job description

Overview

Growing is in our nature. What began over 40 years ago as a small family farm has grown into a global farming and food business. From humble beginnings with just a handful of people and a modest crop range, we now cultivate thousands of acres of farmland worldwide and employ a global team of people. We proudly supply premium fresh produce to the UK's leading retailers and restaurants. Our commitment to quality, innovation and sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. With strong green credentials and ongoing investment in cutting-edge technology, we\'re proud to maintain a carbon-neutral footprint—ensuring we grow responsibly, for today and tomorrow.

The Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a talented Account Manager to join our dynamic Retail Sales Team. In this key role, you\'ll act as the primary point of contact between Barfoots and a selection of our valued retail customers—building strong relationships, driving account growth and ensuring seamless coordination across procurement, operations and the supply chain. We\'re looking for a committed, reliable and proactive individual who thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment and can consistently deliver results through effective collaboration and communication.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong, trusting relationships with retail customers
• Develop and execute sales plans to meet or exceed agreed-volume and revenue targets
• Identify expansion opportunities across product categories, promotional periods & new customer segments
• Negotiate contracts, price structures and promotional activities
• Effective management of sales budget
• Provide the business with accurate information to assist with monitoring, planning and forecasting short & long-term sales
• Use customer sales data to support consumer insights and drive commercial actions to grow sales
• Monitor retail market trends, promotions, competitor activity, and customer behaviour
• Leverage insights to refine category strategies and enhance value propositions
• Work with Commercial Manager on managing and influencing customers & attending customer visits
• Support Commercial Manager on general account administration with all customers

Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• A strong understanding of customer relationship management
• Able to operate effective as part of a team as well as individually
• Proactive and self-motivated
• Ability to flourish in a dynamic working environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Good commercial awareness
• Ideally educated to degree or equivalent level
• Previous FMCG or Food/Produce experience an advantage

Benefits

Why Work for Barfoots?

• Investors In People Silver Award status
• Company pension scheme
• 24/7 Online GP access
• Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Benefits Platform
• Development opportunities
• Discounted leisure membership
• Discounted vegetable box scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free onsite parking
• Approved training centre for Highfield qualifications
• Committed to Sustainability