National Account Manager

Advocate Group; England; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Bonus

Benefits

Job summary

Advocate Group is recruiting a National Account Manager focused on Contract Catering. The role is remote/field-based with monthly office visits in Hertfordshire, offering £55,000 base plus car allowance, bonus and benefits.

You will manage and grow existing contract catering accounts while driving new business across foodservice operators and office channels. The position combines account management and new business development, with an existing £3m P&L and clear growth targets.

Qualifications

• Experience in contract catering and foodservice.
• Strong commercial understanding of P&L, forecasting and account growth.
• Ability to negotiate with central offices and build site-level relationships.
• Willingness to travel regularly to client sites.

Responsibilities

• Manage and grow existing contract catering accounts.
• Drive new business across contract caterers and wider foodservice customers.
• Negotiate at central office level with key customer stakeholders.
• Secure new product listings across relevant customer groups.
• Build relationships with category buyers, chefs and site-level contacts.
• Carry out regular customer visits and site visits.
• Focus the portfolio around the right products and opportunities.
• Manage forecasting, customer plans, P&L and commercial performance.
• Work closely with internal teams to deliver customer requirements.

Skills

Contract catering

Account management

New business development

P&L management

Negotiation

Travel readiness

Job description

National Account Manager – Contract Catering

Remote / field-based – monthly office visit in Hertfordshire

£55,000 + car allowance + bonus + benefits

I’m working with a well-established foodservice business to recruit a National Account Manager focused on Contract Catering. This is a foodservice role with a clear focus on contract caterers alongside the end users as the sell needs the push and pull. The business has a broad product portfolio, with a great foodservice range, they know what works, and need the National Account Manager to tell the market.

You’ll be managing and growing an existing customer base, while also driving new business. Current customers include major contract caterers, with further opportunity across foodservice operators and office-based channels.

The role is roughly 50/50 account management and new business, with an existing P&L of around £3m and clear growth expectations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and grow existing contract catering accounts
• Drive new business across contract caterers and wider foodservice customers
• Negotiate at central office level with key customer stakeholders
• Secure new product listings across relevant customer groups
• Build relationships with category buyers, chefs and site-level contacts
• Carry out regular customer visits and site visits
• Focus the portfolio around the right products and the right opportunities
• Manage forecasting, customer plans, P&L and commercial performance
• Work closely with internal teams to deliver customer requirements

What we’re looking for:

• Strong contract catering experience
• Foodservice, contract catering or wholesaler experience
• Comfortable managing both existing accounts and new business
• Strong commercial understanding across P&L, forecasting and account growth
• Able to negotiate centrally while also building relationships at site level
• Confident working with buyers, chefs and operational contacts
• Driven, autonomous and happy working without heavy hand-holding
• Comfortable with regular travel and face-to-face customer meetings

This is a good role for someone who knows the contract catering channel properly and wants a role with real ownership. They need someone who can manage the detail, get out with customers, and bring the energy to grow the channel beyond the current base. If the role and responsibilities sound like a good fit for you, then I’d love to speak to you!

Find out more about our available opportunities or how we can help you further your career – contact us today.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.