Key Account Manager
Location: Hybrid (Minimum 2 days per week at our site in Kent)
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm (40 hours/week)
Salary: £40,000 £45,000 (DOE) + Company Car
We are working in partnership with a highly respected and rapidly growing FMCG business to recruit a Key Account Manager to join their commercial team on a 12-month maternity cover basis. This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially driven individual with a passion for managing key accounts, delivering growth, and supporting new product development in a fast-paced environment.
About the Role
Reporting to the Head of Sales/NAM, the Key Account Manager will:
- Manage and grow existing customer accounts across retail and/or food service
- Build and maintain strong relationships with new and existing clients
- Identify commercial opportunities and drive new product development (NPD) and existing product development (EPD) projects
- Lead customer planning, forecasting, and margin management
- Represent the brand with professionalism, market insight, and a solution-driven approach
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver customer plans aligned with company strategy and growth targets
- Protect and grow revenue, profit, and margin through effective negotiation and account management
- Agree trading terms and payment conditions with customers
- Collaborate with internal departments to ensure efficient service delivery
- Regularly visit customer sites to strengthen relationships and ensure alignment with commercial plans
- Identify growth opportunities through data and gap analysis, working alongside marketing to implement tailored strategies
- Lead and manage projects, ensuring clear communication, structured planning, and timely delivery
- Provide accurate forecasting and demand planning for all managed SKUs
- Maintain comprehensive records of customer activities, account developments, and project timelines
- Stay informed on market trends, consumer behaviour, and competitor activity
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Knowledge:
- FMCG knowledge and experience with major UK customers
- Understanding of consumer and market trends
Qualifications:
- Degree educated
- Minimum 3 years commercial experience
Skills:
- Strong relationship builder and communicator
- Target-driven with a results-oriented mindset
- Confident in delivering compelling presentations
- Self-motivated, proactive, and commercially aware
Experience:
- Experience managing accounts in Retail and/or Food Service (3+ years desirable)
- Experience in chilled, short shelf-life food or drink is highly desirable
Other Requirements:
- Full understanding of customer service standards and quality implications
- Full UK driving licence (due to national travel and car provision)
Why Join?
- Join a supportive, collaborative team in a business with strong values and exciting growth plans
- Be part of a company delivering well-known FMCG products with a focus on quality and innovation
- Enjoy a varied role with national exposure and a mix of strategic account management and hands-on project delivery
For more information or to register your interest in this role, please apply!