National Account Manager

The Bread Factory; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

50% discount at GAIL's

40% off at The Bread Factory & The Fl​

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Discounts and savings from high-street

24-hour GP service

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

The Bread Factory Limited is seeking a proactive National Account Manager for its Food Service channel to manage and grow a national portfolio, building trusted relationships with end users and wholesale accounts across the UK.

You will deliver sales growth, excellent service and strong commercial outcomes by understanding customer needs, identifying opportunities and collaborating with bakery operations, planning, technical and NPD teams.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in account management with a strong network of contacts, sales or business development.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to manage pricing, margin, forecasts and performance.
• Excellent relationship-building skills with chefs, operators, buyers and senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of foodservice customer accounts as the primary commercial contact.
• Develop and deliver account plans to grow sales, profitability and retention.
• Identify opportunities to increase distribution and introduce new products.
• Maintain regular customer contact through meetings, site visits and performance updates.
• Prospect, develop and convert new foodservice opportunities and build a strong pipeline.

Skills

Account management

Commercial acumen

Relationship building

Food passion

Self-motivation

Communication

Cross-functional

Customer-first mindset

Driving licence

Job description

The Foodservice National Account Manager will manage and grow a portfolio of customers across The Bread Factory's Food Service channel, building trusted relationships with national end users and national wholesale accounts

The role is responsible for delivering sales growth, excellent customer service and strong commercial outcomes by understanding customer needs, identifying opportunities and working closely with colleagues across bakery operations, customer service, planning, technical and NPD.

This is a hands-on, customer-facing role for someone who loves food, understands the pace of foodservice and can balance account development, new business, forecasting, pricing and issue resolution with energy and discipline.

Success will come from creating sustainable, profitable growth while protecting the quality, service and craft reputation that The Bread Factory is known for.

Every day is different at The Bread Factory, but here are some of the things you will be doing:

Account Management & Customer Growth

• Manage a portfolio of foodservice customer accounts, acting as the primary commercial contact and building strong, professional relationships.
• Develop and deliver account plans that grow sales, improve profitability and strengthen customer retention.
• Identify opportunities to increase distribution, introduce new products and expand The Bread Factory's presence with existing customers.
• Maintain regular customer contact through meetings, site visits, range reviews, bakery visits and performance updates.

New Business Development

• Prospect, develop and convert new foodservice opportunities across national foodservice end user and wholesale accounts
• Build a strong pipeline of opportunities, progressing leads through sampling, pricing, negotiation and onboarding.
• Represent The Bread Factory confidently in market, communicating our craft, quality, service capability and product range.

Commercial Delivery

• Deliver agreed sales, margin, volume and customer performance targets.
• Prepare forecasts, monitor account performance and provide accurate updates on risks, opportunities and trading trends.
• Support pricing, tenders, proposals and contract negotiations with clear commercial thinking and attention to detail.
• Use customer, category and market insight to shape recommendations and support profitable growth.

Customer Service & Cross-Functional Working

• Work closely with customer service, planning, operations, logistics, technical and finance teams to ensure customers receive a high-quality, reliable service.
• Resolve customer issues quickly and professionally, escalating where needed and ensuring follow-through.
• Coordinate product samples, launches, seasonal activity and customer communications.
• Partner with NPD and bakery teams to bring customer feedback and market opportunities into product development discussions.

Brand, Product & Market Knowledge

• Build deep knowledge of The Bread Factory range, production capability, quality standards and customer applications.
• Stay close to foodservice trends, competitor activity, menu development and customer needs.
• Act as an ambassador for The Bread Factory, demonstrating passion for great bread, pastry and craft bakery.

Our team tells us you will be a great addition if you have

• Proven experience in account management with a strong network of contacts, sales or business development, ideally within foodservice, bakery, FMCG or wholesale supply.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to manage pricing, margin, forecasts, tenders and account performance.
• Excellent relationship-building skills with the confidence to engage chefs, operators, buyers and senior customer stakeholders.
• A genuine passion for food, hospitality and high-quality bakery products.
• Self-motivated and organised, with the discipline to manage a territory, pipeline, customer meetings and internal follow-up.
• Comfortable balancing existing account development with new business generation.
• Strong communicator with good presentation, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Able to work cross-functionally and build productive relationships with internal teams.
• Customer-first mindset with high standards of service, responsiveness and professionalism.
• Full UK driving licence preferred due to regular customer travel.

The Bread Factory is the UK's leading artisan bakery. Founded by Gail Meija in 1993, The Bread Factory, originally known as Gail Force, began by supplying some of London's most prestigious restaurants, including many with Michelin stars. More than three decades later, we continue to work closely with the best chefs, alongside grocers, foodservice partners and our own neighbourhood bakery, GAIL's.

The Bread Factory is synonymous with quality. We have been awarded more than 100 Great Taste Awards and have held a Royal Warrant since 2016, when it was first granted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In 2024, the warrant was renewed by His Majesty The King.

We source our ingredients thoughtfully, partnering with farmers and millers who align with our values. The result: delicious, carefully made baked goods that support a more sustainable and nutritious food system; bringing great bread to more tables every day.

• Fresh bread daily to take home to enjoy with family and friends.
• 50% discount at GAIL's and 40% off at The Bread Factory & The Flour Station Markets.
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Discounts and Savings from high-street retailers and restaurants
• 24-hour GP service
• Cycle to work scheme