Key Accounts Leader

Forte; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Forte in London, United Kingdom seeks a Key Accounts Leader to serve as the primary commercial interface with critical EMS manufacturing partners. The role focuses on securing long-term partnerships, driving revenue growth, and delivering complex PCBA and box-build projects with high margins.

You will own the commercial lifecycle for enterprise accounts, develop tailored plans, lead multi-year negotiations, and translate client needs into production goals.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of commercial account management in EMS, component distribution or high-tech manufacturing.
• Proven track record managing multi-million-pound annual revenue streams.
• Experience negotiating multi-year commercial framework agreements and complex pricing.
• Strong understanding of PCBA, sub-assembly and full box-build processes.
• Familiarity with quality standards and procurement cycles in Aerospace, Medical or Industrial Automation.
• Valid UK driving licence and willingness to travel across the UK.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Own the commercial lifecycle for a portfolio of enterprise accounts.
• Develop tailored account plans outlining long-term growth and cross-sell opportunities.
• Lead complex negotiations for renewals, multi-year frameworks, and pricing.
• Manage engineering-change cost adjustments and reflect in billing.
• Bridge client requirements with internal capabilities for PCBA and box-build goals.
• Monitor supply chain constraints and advise on risk mitigation and lead-time management.
• Conduct regular Business Reviews (QBRs) reporting performance and metrics.
• Drive account retention by resolving escalations and maintaining client relationships.
• Collaborate with leadership to provide revenue forecasts and market intelligence.

Skills

EMS experience

Revenue management

Negotiation

Technical literacy

Mobility

Communication

Education

Engineering degree

Business degree

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

London, United Kingdom | Posted on 31/08/2026

TheKey Accounts Leaderserves as the primary commercial and strategic interface between our organization and its most critical industrial manufacturing partners. This role exists to secure long-term partnerships, drive organic revenue growth, and ensure the seamless delivery of complexElectronics Manufacturing Services (EMS). Success is measured by account retention, the realization of up-sell opportunities, and the maintenance of healthy commercial margins across a high-value portfolio.

This is aFull-time, Mid-Level(Senior IC) position operating in aHybridcapacity with a requirement for regular travel to client sites across the UK.

Work Setup & Collaboration

• Hybrid Flexibility:Enjoy a balance of remote work and office presence, with the autonomy to manage your own travel schedule to meet client needs across the UK.
  
• High Autonomy:As a key member of a specialized team (11-50 employees), you will have significant ownership over account strategy with minimal day-to-day oversight.
  
• Cross-Functional Synergy:Work closely withEngineering, Procurement, and Operationsto ensure manufacturing output aligns perfectly with technical client specifications.
  
• Industry Compliance:Operate within the rigorous quality and regulatory frameworks required by the aerospace, medical technology, and clean energy sectors.
  

What You'll Do

• Own the commercial lifecyclefor a portfolio of enterprise accounts, acting as the lead point of contact for all strategic discussions.
  
• Develop tailored account plansthat map out long-term growth trajectories, identifying specific opportunities for cross-selling and up-selling.
  
• Lead complex negotiationsfor contract renewals, multi-year framework agreements, and pricing structures to safeguard profitability.
  
• Manage engineering-change cost adjustments, ensuring that technical pivots are captured and reflected in commercial billing.
  
• Bridge the gapbetween client requirements and internal capabilities, translating complex PCBA and box-build needs into actionable production goals.
  
• Monitor supply chain constraintsand market developments to proactively advise clients on risk mitigation and lead-time management.
  
• Conduct regular Business Reviews (QBRs)to report on performance, quality metrics, and future project pipelines.
  
• Drive account retentionby resolving high-level escalations and maintaining deep relationships with client-side stakeholders.
  
• Collaborate with the leadership teamto provide accurate revenue forecasts and market intelligence that informs company growth strategy.
  

Success Indicators

• Account Retention:Maintain a95% or higher retention rateacross the assigned strategic account portfolio.
  
• Organic Growth:Achieve a10–15% year-over-year increasein revenue through up-selling and new program identification.
  
• Margin Protection:Ensure all contracts and engineering changes are priced to meet or exceed establishedgross margin targets.
  
• Client Satisfaction:Consistently achieve high scores in annual client audits and performance reviews.
  

Required Qualifications

• Industry Expertise:At least 5–7 years of commercial account management experience withinEMS, component distribution, or high-tech manufacturing.
  
• Revenue Management:Proven track record of managing and growing accounts generatingmulti-million-pound annual revenue streams.
  
• Negotiation Prowess:Advanced experience handlingmulti-year commercial framework agreementsand complex pricing models.
  
• Technical Literacy:Strong understanding ofPCBA, sub-assembly, and full box-buildmanufacturing processes.
  
• Sector Knowledge:Familiarity with the quality standards and procurement cycles of theAerospace, Medical, or Industrial Automationindustries.
  
• Mobility:A valid UK driver’s license and the willingness to travel extensively to client sites as required.
  
• Communication:Exceptional written and verbal communication skills forhigh-stakes stakeholder managementand complex reporting.
  

Nice to Have

• Experience working in asmall-to-medium enterprise (SME)environment where adaptability is key.
  
• Direct exposure toClean Energy or Green-Techmanufacturing requirements.
  
• Familiarity withERP/MRP systemsused for tracking manufacturing production and commercial billing.
  
• A degree-level qualification inEngineering or Business Management.
  

About the Team/Environment

We operate in a high-velocity professional services environment where precision and quality are non-negotiable. As a compact team of 11-50 people, we valueagile decision-makingand high individual accountability. Our culture is built on technical excellence and the ability to solve complex manufacturing challenges for some of the UK’s most innovative industrial brands.