Account Manager

Summit Recruiters; Kettering; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Summit Recruiters is seeking a relationship-led account manager for its Kettering office. You will manage key accounts across the UK, combining office work with national travel to visit customers and support commercial opportunities.

You will collaborate with internal teams, provide technical guidance, and develop new revenue streams while delivering exceptional customer service and strong relationship management.

Qualifications

• Proven Account Management or Sales Support background.
• Experience working with contractors, fit-out companies or spec environments.
• Strong relationship-building and negotiation skills.
• Commercially aware with the ability to spot and develop new opportunities.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build rapport and trust.
• Highly organised with strong administrative skills.
• Comfortable with occasional national travel.
• Knowledge of the construction fit-out industry is advantageous but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage and grow a portfolio of key accounts across multiple sectors
• Strengthen existing relationships and ensure exceptional customer experience
• Provide technical expertise, product guidance, upselling and cross-selling
• Support customers through the full project lifecycle, from first contact to completion
• Follow up all projects in a timely manner and manage them effectively to secure repeat orders
• Build strong relationships with distributors, contractors, fit-out companies and project stakeholders
• Analyse customer feedback, competitor activity and market trends to identify growth opportunities
• Deliver presentations and support specification appointments when required
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure smooth operations and consistent service
• Carry out occasional national travel to meet customers and support key projects

Skills

Account management

Sales support

Relationship building

Negotiation

Communication skills

Administrative skills

Job description

Are you a customer focused relationship-driven account manager who loves nurturing clients, strengthening partnerships and ensuring projects run smoothly from start to finish? Do you enjoy supporting clients with technical expertise, managing key accounts, and spotting opportunities to grow revenue? Are you confident working with contractors, fit-out companies and spec environments — with the commercial mindset to develop new business where appropriate?

If so, this role could be your next step.

Role Overview

Based primarily at the company’s Kettering office, you’ll take responsibility for managing and developing a portfolio of key accounts across the UK. While the role is largely office-based, you’ll also carry out some national travel to visit customers, attend project meetings and support commercial opportunities.

You’ll work closely with internal sales teams to maximise revenue, strengthen long-term relationships and support the growth of a high-potential product division within a long-standing UK manufacturing and distribution business.

This role suits someone who enjoys a balance of structured office work and occasional face-to-face customer visits.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and grow a portfolio of key accounts across multiple sectors
• Strengthen existing relationships and ensure exceptional customer experience
• Provide technical expertise, product guidance, upselling and cross-selling
• Support customers through the full project lifecycle, from first contact to completion
• Follow up all projects in a timely manner and manage them effectively to secure repeat orders
• Build strong relationships with distributors, contractors, fit-out companies and project stakeholders
• Analyse customer feedback, competitor activity and market trends to identify growth opportunities
• Deliver presentations and support specification appointments when required
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure smooth operations and consistent service
• Carry out occasional national travel to meet customers and support key projects

Target Markets

• Commercial
• Education
• Emergency services
• Leisure & theme parks
• Arenas & events
• Commercial fit-out and refurbishment projects

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Proven Account Management or Sales Support background
• Experience working with contractors, fit-out companies or spec environments
• Strong relationship-building and negotiation skills
• Commercially aware with the ability to spot and develop new opportunities
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build rapport and trust
• Highly organised with strong administrative skills
• Comfortable with occasional national travel
• Knowledge of the construction fit-out industry is advantageous but not essential

Attributes

• Customer-focused with a commitment to delivering exceptional service
• Logical thinker with strong attention to detail
• Able to manage a varied workload and prioritise effectively
• Positive, flexible and hands-on approach
• Self-motivated with a drive to exceed expectations

What We’re Looking For

A relationship-led account manager who enjoys supporting customers, strengthening partnerships and contributing to commercial growth — with the confidence to carry out targeted business development when opportunities arise. Someone who is happy being mainly office-based in Kettering, with some travel to meet customers and support key projects