Key Account Manager

Demand Distribution Limited; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading FMCG distributor is seeking a Strategic Key Accounts Director to establish and manage relationships with top-tier wholesalers and national key accounts. This role emphasizes relationship control and revenue generation rather than traditional sales functions. Candidates must have proven networks in the FMCG space within the UK and should demonstrate an ability to engage at director and owner levels. Offering strong base salary, performance-linked incentives with uncapped upside for top performers.

Qualifications

• Proven FMCG wholesale network is required.
• Existing relationships with key accounts and wholesalers are necessary.
• Candidates should be comfortable dealing at director/owner level.

Responsibilities

• Secure and grow long-term trading relationships with major FMCG wholesalers.
• Identify high-volume opportunities and convert them into accounts.
• Drive volume-based growth aligned with company objectives.

Skills

Proven FMCG wholesale network in the UK

Existing relationships with key accounts

Comfortable dealing at director/owner level

Discreet and commercially sharp

Job description

Overview

Strategic Key Accounts Director – Demand Distribution

Location: London & South East; North of England

Role Mandate

Demand Distribution is a high-volume FMCG importer and master distributor operating at scale.

We are appointing Strategic Key Accounts Directors to open, control, and grow relationships with top-tier FMCG wholesalers and national key accounts.

This is not a sales rep role.

This is a relationship-control and revenue command role.

If you do not already have direct access to decision-makers, this role is not for you.

Core Mission

• Secure and grow long-term trading relationships with major FMCG wholesalers and key accounts
• Open doors that are normally closed
• Convert relationships into high-volume, repeat business
• Represent Demand Distribution with authority, credibility, and discretion

Key Responsibilities

1. Key Account Control
   • Personally approach and manage top FMCG wholesalers and buying groups
   • Build direct relationships with owners, directors, and senior buyers
   • Lead high-level commercial discussions and account onboarding
   • Protect pricing logic, supply structure, and commercial intelligence
2. Market Penetration & Expansion
   • Expand Demand Distribution’s footprint across assigned territory
   • Identify high-volume opportunities and convert them into long-term accounts
   • Strengthen brand and company presence without exposing internal strategy
   • Act as Demand’s face in the market — measured, sharp, respected
3. Commercial Execution
   • Drive volume-based growth aligned with company objectives
   • Coordinate internally to ensure flawless execution post-account opening
   • Ensure retention, repeat orders, and account stickiness
   • Maintain discipline around credit, risk, and compliance
4. Intelligence & Reporting
   • Provide high-level market feedback directly to leadership
   • Flag risks, opportunities, and competitive movements
   • Maintain absolute confidentiality of company data and operations

Authority & Expectations

• Full autonomy to approach and close within defined parameters
• Expected to deliver measurable volume impact
• Trusted to operate independently with minimal supervision
• Evaluated purely on account quality, volume, and sustainability

Mandatory Profile (Non-Negotiable)

• Proven FMCG wholesale network in the UK
• Existing relationships with key accounts, wholesalers, or buying groups
• Comfortable dealing at director / owner level
• Discreet, disciplined, and commercially sharp
• Results-focused with zero ego and zero noise

⚠️ Applicants without real networks will not be considered.

Compensation & Upside

• Strong base (aligned with capability)
• Aggressive performance-linked incentives
• Long-term growth potential for elite performers

Why Demand Distribution

• Operate at scale, not margins games
• Founder-led, fast decisions, no corporate politics
• Serious volume, serious ambition
• Respect for operators who deliver results

🚫 Do NOT submit:

• Area sales managers
• Field reps
• Candidates without current access to decision-makers
• CV-only profiles with no live relationships

Head Hunters must include:

• Nature of candidate’s relationships (not names, but level and type)
• Evidence of past volume handled
• Reason candidate is uniquely qualified for this mandate

This role is designed for operators who already sit at the table — not those trying to get a seat.

Compensation Structure

• Basic Salary: Competitive, aligned with capability
• Commission: 0.5% on sales volume generated
• Upside is uncapped and performance-led

NDA required. Background verification applies. This role is designed for top 1% FMCG operators.

Submission Protocol

This is a confidential, referral-grade search.

📩 CVs and candidate notes to:

[e-mail]

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