Key Accounts Manager

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

Job summary

A well-established recruitment agency is searching for a Key Account Manager in the food manufacturing industry. The ideal candidate will have expertise in B2B sales, particularly in bakery or food sectors, to deliver annual sales growth for key accounts. This field-based role requires strong strategic account planning and relationship management skills, along with compliance awareness in food safety standards. The position is based in Wigan with competitive salary and car allowance.

Benefits

Car Allowance

Qualifications

• Experience in FMCG or food manufacturing sector, especially in complex supply chain environments.
• Proven experience in B2B sales within the food manufacturing or bakery ingredients sector.

Responsibilities

• Deliver annual sales plan for assigned key accounts to achieve revenue growth.
• Own account management process; ensure CRM data accuracy.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to deliver seamless customer experience.
• Manage compliance & risk for all account activities.

Skills

Strategic account planning and relationship management

Negotiation and influencing skills with senior stakeholders

Data analysis and forecasting

Problem-solving and solution selling

Clear written and verbal communication

Proficient in CRM systems

Food safety standards awareness

Commercial Acumen

Education

Professional certifications in Key Account Management or equivalent

Tools

Salesforce

MS Office Suite

Excel for data analysis

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.