Key Account Manager

Co-op Group; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail cooperative is seeking a Key Account Manager to drive sales and manage relationships with retailers in the Exeter area. The role offers a competitive salary of around £50,000 plus benefits including a company car and private healthcare. This hybrid position will involve regular site visits and requires a full UK driving license. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in FMCG or Field Sales, excellent communication skills, and proven ability to deliver KPIs.

Benefits

30% off Co-op branded products

Annual bonus based on performance

28 days holiday plus bank holidays

Pension with up to 10% employer contributions

Private healthcare

Access to subsidised onsite gym

Career development coaching and training

Wagestream app for early pay access

Qualifications

• Proven track record in Field Sales or FMCG sales.
• Ability to build and nurture strategic partnerships.
• Strong ability to manage workload effectively.

Responsibilities

• Drive sales by building positive relationships.
• Identify opportunities for growth in retailer sales.
• Manage your own schedule effectively while visiting retailers.
• Work with operational teams to resolve issues.

Skills

Driving commercial success

Building strategic partnerships

Excellent communication skills

Excellent organisation and time management

Strong IT skills

Job description

Overview

Key Account Manager – Circa £50,000 plus benefits, including a company car and private healthcare (Work Level 5). Field based across Cardiff, Bristol and Exeter; this role will be hybrid, splitting time between working from home and travelling to stores across the area. Please note this is a field-based role with travel to store sites across your assigned area. A full UK driving licence is required.

We’re looking for Retail Development Managers to join Co-op Wholesale. Since 1977, we’ve championed independent retailers to thrive with Nisa – and now we’re entering a bold new chapter as Co-op Wholesale. It’s the same spirit, with bigger ambition: bringing the power of Co-op to more local businesses than ever. And with that, exciting opportunities are on the rise, like this one.

In this role, you’ll act as the vital link between Co-op Wholesale and our network of independent retailers. You’ll be responsible for managing a core portfolio of between 60–80 retail sites, ensuring each location receives the support needed to maximise sales performance and implement strategic initiatives. Your work will directly contribute to driving our commercial agenda through targeted business activities and incentive programmes.

As the face of the Co-op Wholesale business, regular site visits will form a key part of your role, where you’ll assess store standards, provide operational and procedural guidance, alongside identifying opportunities to increase sales volumes. In return, we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to build your networks, learn all about the industry, and really make an impact across our Co-op wholesale network.

Responsibilities

• Drive sales by building positive relationships, helping retailers realise their potential and identify opportunities for growth
• Create the best experiences for retailers, identifying root causes of problems in stores
• Manage your own schedule, visiting convenience retailers across your region
• Work closely with retailers, challenging and educating them to develop productive relationships
• Take responsibility for driving your own performance and delivering KPIs
• Act as the interface between head office and retailers; work with IT, logistics, and operational teams to resolve issues and queries

What this role would suit

• Proven track record of driving commercial success in Field Sales/Convenience/FMCG sales, with a strong ability to build and nurture strategic partnerships and collaborate with key stakeholders to optimise revenue and market growth
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent organisation and time management skills, with the ability to manage workload effectively
• Strong IT skills with the ability to confidently interpret and feedback data
• A track record of retaining current business

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package including 30% off Co-op branded products in our food stores and other discounts on Co-op products and services
• An annual bonus (based on personal and business performance)
• 28 days holiday (rising to 32 with service) plus bank holidays
• A pension with up to 10% employer contributions
• Private healthcare
• Access to a subsidised onsite gym (at our Manchester HQ)
• Coaching and training to support your career development
• Wagestream app – giving you access to a percentage of your pay as you earn

Diversity and inclusion

We’re actively building diverse teams and welcome applications from everyone. If you have a disability, we can make reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process. We’re part of the Disability Confident scheme and will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria. We’ll ask whether you’d like to be considered under the Disability Confident scheme when you apply. If invited to participate in the recruitment process, we’ll ask if you need any reasonable adjustments to enable you to participate. You can find out more about our recruitment process and our commitments to diversity and inclusion in our policies.

Please note that we may close applications for this role early. As part of your application, you’ll need to complete an online assessment. This assessment typically takes between 45–60 minutes.