Key Accounts Manager

LJ Recruitment Limited; Wigan; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking an experienced Key Account Manager in the food manufacturing sector. This role involves delivering annual sales plans, managing key accounts, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate should have experience in B2B sales, strong negotiation skills, and a solid understanding of bakery processes. The position is field-based, requiring two days a week onsite in Wigan, with a salary range of £42,000 to £49,000 dependent on experience.

Benefits

Car Allowance

Qualifications

• Experience in FMCG or food manufacturing sector.
• Proven experience in B2B sales managing large or strategic accounts.
• Strong technical understanding of bakery processes.

Responsibilities

• Deliver annual sales plan to achieve revenue growth.
• Own account management process; ensure CRM data accuracy.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to deliver customer experience.

Skills

Strategic account planning and relationship management

Negotiation and influencing skills with senior stakeholders

Data analysis and forecasting (Excel, BI tools)

Problem-solving and solution selling in a technical environment

Clear written and verbal communication

Proficient in CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce)

Food safety standards awareness

Commercial acumen

Education

Professional certifications such as Key Account Management

Tools

Salesforce

MS Office Suite

Job description

I am working with a well-established client of mine, within the Food Manufacturing industry, seeking a new Key Account Manager.

They are looking for someone to come in and support delivery of the next stage of their strategy plan...

Salary - £42,000-£49,000 DOE

Car Allowance in the package

Field based with 2 days a week based onsite in Wigan

About you

Experience in FMCG or food manufacturing sector, especially with experience of bread, multi-site or complex supply chain environments.

Professional certifications such as Key Account Management, Negotiation Skills, or Sales Leadership or equivalent experience

Proven experience in B2B sales within the food manufacturing or bakery ingredients sector, managing large or strategic accounts.

Strong technical understanding of bakery processes and ingredient functionality

The role

Deliver annual sales plan for assigned key accounts to achieve revenue growth of X% by year-end; maintain KPI = target margin.

Own account management process; ensure CRM data accuracy and compliance at 100% for all interactions.

Partner with cross-functional teams (NPD, Customer Services, HR, Marketing, Operations, Finance) to remove blockers and deliver seamless customer experience.

Develop and execute strategic account plans to secure long-term partnerships, including weekly onsite meetings with current and potential customers.

Continuously improve sales workflows; document SOPs and implement measurable efficiency gains.

Manage compliance & risk for all account activities (GDPR, contractual obligations, pricing governance).

Report progress via dashboards and monthly reviews; elevate risks or delays promptly to leadership.

Contribute to DEI, sustainability, and wellbeing initiatives relevant to client engagement and company values.

Attend and actively contribute to required meetings, including pipeline reviews, client strategy sessions, and quarterly business reviews.

Monitor market trends and competitor activity; provide insights to inform pricing and product positioning.

Drive customer satisfaction and retention by resolving issues quickly and maintaining proactive communication

Skills required

• Strategic account planning and relationship management
• Negotiation and influencing skills with senior stakeholders
• Data analysis and forecasting (Excel, BI tools)
• Problem-solving and solution selling in a technical environment
• Communication: Clear written and verbal communication; ability to present technical solutions to non-technical audiences.
• Digital / Systems: Proficient in CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), MS Office Suite; intermediate Excel for data analysis.
• Compliance Awareness: Food safety standards (e.g., BRC, HACCP), GDPR, and contractual compliance relevant to client management.
• Commercial Acumen: Ability to manage pricing structures, margin targets, and profitability for key accounts.