National Account Manager

Sofina Foods Europe; Leeds; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Sofina Foods is seeking a National Account Lead to own a flagship UK retail account, driving sustainable growth and delivering exceptional commercial performance. You will lead cross-functional teams, influence stakeholders, and shape joint plans in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

The role is based in Leeds, West Yorkshire with UK travel, offering visibility at senior levels and opportunities to impact both customer and business outcomes.

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing major UK grocery retail accounts in FMCG or food manufacturing.
• Strong capability to develop and deliver Joint Business Plans with national retailers.
• Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence and engage stakeholders at multiple levels, internal and external.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience in budgets, forecasts and KPIs.
• Experience leading and mentoring account management teams.

Responsibilities

• Own and develop a strategically important UK retail account.
• Build and deliver Joint Business Plans to drive growth and service excellence.
• Act as primary contact for the customer, developing trusted relationships.
• Lead customer engagement and commercial negotiations across the account.
• Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching and support to the account team.
• Collaborate with Operations, Supply Chain, Category, Technical and Logistics to ensure service delivery.
• Forecasting, promotions, profitability and overall account performance management.
• Translate customer insight into actionable business opportunities.

Skills

Account management

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Commercial acumen

Leadership

Job description

Own a flagship UK retail partnership and shape commercial growth at scale

Role Overview

At Sofina Foods, our customer partnerships are at the heart of our success. We're looking for a National Account Lead to take ownership of one of our most significant UK retail accounts, driving sustainable growth, strengthening collaboration and delivering exceptional commercial performance.

This is a highly visible role that sits at the centre of the business, bringing together customer insight, commercial strategy and cross-functional leadership. You'll act as the primary link between Sofina Foods and a key retail partner, influencing internal stakeholders, shaping joint plans and ensuring outstanding delivery in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

You'll have the autonomy to make decisions, the opportunity to influence at a senior level, and the platform to make a real impact on both customer and business performance.

This role is based in Leeds, West Yorkshire with UK Travel

Key Duties

As NAM Manager you'll:

• Own and develop a strategically important UK retail account
• Build and deliver Joint Business Plans that support shared growth, service and sustainability objectives
• Act as the primary point of contact for the customer, developing trusted and long-term relationships
• Lead customer engagement and commercial negotiations across the account
• Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching and support to account team members
• Partner closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Category, Technical and Logistics teams to ensure excellent service delivery
• Manage forecasting, promotional activity, profitability and overall account performance
• Translate customer insight into actionable business opportunities
• Identify and implement improvements that create value for both Sofina Foods and the customer
• Represent the voice of the customer internally, influencing stakeholders across the wider business
• Drive a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement

We're looking for a commercially minded relationship builder who combines strategic thinking with a practical approach to delivering results.

The Ideal Candidate

• Significant experience managing major UK grocery retail accounts within FMCG, food manufacturing or fresh/chilled food categories
• A strong understanding of working within fast-moving, short shelf-life environments
• Experience developing and delivering Joint Business Plans with national retail customers
• Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management skills
• The ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels, both internally and externally
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience managing budgets, forecasts and performance metrics
• Experience leading, supporting or mentoring account management teams
• A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively across multiple business functions
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to use data and insight to inform decision-making
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with a passion for delivering results

Why Join Us

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a major retail partnership within one of Europe's leading food businesses. You'll work with talented colleagues across the organisation, gain exposure to senior decision-makers and play a key role in shaping the future growth of both the account and the wider business.

We offer a supportive and ambitious environment where people are empowered to make decisions, build successful careers and contribute to meaningful business outcomes.

About Sofina

Sofina Foods is more than just a food company. It’s a place where you can grow your career, learn new skills, and make a positive impact.

With a wide range of meat and seafood products that delight consumers worldwide, Sofina Foods is always looking for talented and passionate people to join its team of over 13,000 employees across 40 sites in Canada and Europe.

At Sofina Foods, you will be part of a culture that values innovation, quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. You will work with diverse and delicious products that are sourced responsibly and sustainably from over 50 different protein sources from 5 continents.

Our vision is to be the most successful food company in the world. If you are looking for a rewarding and exciting career in the food sector, Sofina Foods is the place for you.

Equal Opportunities

Sofina Foods is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences – regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation