National Account Manager

Lotus Bakeries; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the FMCG sector is seeking a National Account Manager to manage key accounts and drive growth. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in the UK retail environment, advanced sales skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively within a team. This role offers opportunities for professional advancement and alignment with core corporate values.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years in FMCG retail sales environment at NAM level.
• Knowledge of UK Retail Industry & customer base.
• Proficiency in Excel required.

Responsibilities

• Full account management & P&L responsibilities.
• Visit customer contacts to foster relationships.
• Prepare and deliver customer account plans.

Skills

Sales skills

Negotiation skills

Communication

Education

Degree or equivalent

Tools

SAP

Windows Office

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

Working as part of the UK SOF, OF Europe team and working closely with the Head of Sales - Retail, these would be some of your main responsibilities:

• Full account management & P&L responsibilities.
• Visit all allocated customer contacts to foster strong working relationships.
• Generate & retain multiple relationships across the account network, from head office to regional levels where appropriate, to facilitate account success.
• Compose and deliver customer account plans with goals and priorities aligned with the wider Biscoff UK branded Sales & Marketing strategy.
• Prepare in detail for customer meetings with effective follow-up.
• Present and negotiate effectively at customer meetings when appropriate.
• Coordinate, monitor, and review sales & promotional activities as needed.
• Provide effective forecasting and planning input related to the customer portfolio.
• Manage customer spend within budgets.
• Complete sales support administration tasks, including sales reports and promotional reports, using customer EPOS and internal SAP.
• Maintain customer administrative systems, pricing, and links with customer service effectively.
• Handle National Account Management responsibilities.

Must have the drive and initiative to negotiate within our strategic and financial framework:

• Achieve budget targets for turnover, volumes, and profit margin.
• Follow strategy for Biscoff UK within biscuits, spread, ice cream, & confectionery categories.
• Manage listing, distribution, and sales targets as appropriate.
• Be responsible for P&L of the entire account portfolio under supervision from the Retail Sales Director, including promo funding and back margin investments.
• Participate in yearly customer negotiations as appropriate.
• Negotiate pricing, promotions, discounts, and marketing activities where appropriate.

2. Market knowledge – understanding, evaluation, and communication:

• Understand and evaluate the marketplace to support customer and internal interactions.
• Know the market sectors where our customers operate.
• Understand the Lotus competitive set in each channel.
• Stay aware of market developments and identify new opportunities.
• Keep informed of the latest market, customer, and competitor developments such as pricing, promotions, and launches.
• Analyze, create, and prepare presentations to support action plans.

3. Task management - maintain and follow up on customer actions & agreements:

• Create an annual plan and maintain/optimize contacts.
• Maintain frequent face-to-face contact with customers and regular contact via phone or email.
• Complete administrative responsibilities related to sales support, including SAP and customer systems.
• Demonstrate leadership within the role both with customers and internally within the Lotus and wider SOF Europe teams.
• Maintain a strong commitment to Lotus's core values: Teamwork, Open Dialogue, & Passion.

5. Team player:

SOF UK is a team of 19; therefore, adaptability and effective collaboration are essential:

• Good communication and interpersonal skills within a small team environment, with a big business mentality.
• Understand the responsibilities of colleagues.

Embrace team mentality.

Profile

Alongside living our TOP values of Team Spirit, Open Dialogue, and Passion, we are looking for:

• Education: Degree or equivalent (considering candidates with strong experience).
• Specific Knowledge:
• Advanced sales & negotiation skills (training available if needed – Sentinel & GAP).
• Knowledge of the UK Retail Industry & customer base.
• Proficiency in Windows Office, especially Excel.
• Experience with SAP.

Experience: Minimum 2 years in an FMCG retail sales environment at NAM level, seeking a role change & advancement.

Personal competencies: