National Account Manager

Zest Food Jobs; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Zest Food Jobs is recruiting a National Account Manager to lead key national accounts in the meat sector from our South West England base. You will develop strategic relationships, identify growth opportunities and negotiate favourable terms to hit sales and profitability targets.

The role requires experience in foodservice or FMCG, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to travel nationally to client sites. Hybrid working with some on-site visits is available.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a National Account Manager or similar commercial sales role.
• Experience in meat, food manufacturing, foodservice, wholesale or FMCG is highly desirable.
• Track record of growing major accounts and meeting commercial targets.

Responsibilities

• Manage key national customers and develop long-term relationships.
• Identify opportunities to grow existing accounts and introduce new products.
• Lead pricing, contracts and trading terms to protect margins.
• Forecast sales and maintain robust account records.
• Collaborate with production and logistics to ensure service excellence.

Skills

National Account Management

Key Account Management

Sales Forecasting

Negotiation

Relationship Building

Job description

Location: South West England

Contract: Full-time, Permanent - HYBRID

Category: Meat

The Opportunity

We are currently recruiting for an ambitious and commercially driven National Account Manager to join an established and growing business within the meat supply sector.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced sales professional to take ownership of key national accounts, develop strategic customer relationships and drive profitable business growth.

Working within a competitive and fast-paced food industry environment, you will be responsible for managing existing customer partnerships, identifying new business opportunities and negotiating commercial agreements to maximise sales and profitability.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in food, meat, foodservice, wholesale or FMCG, with a proven ability to grow major accounts and deliver against commercial targets.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and develop strong, long-term relationships with key national customers.
• Identify opportunities to grow existing accounts through increased product sales, new product introductions and customer development.
• Proactively identify and secure new national accounts to support business growth.
• Lead pricing discussions, contract negotiations and commercial reviews, ensuring profitability and margin targets are achieved.
• Take ownership of sales targets, account revenue and overall portfolio profitability.
• Build relationships with key decision-makers, including buyers, procurement teams and senior stakeholders.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity and customer requirements to identify new commercial opportunities.
• Develop and implement strategic account plans to deliver sustainable growth.
• Work closely with internal production, operations and customer service teams to ensure excellent customer service and delivery standards.
• Manage sales forecasting, account reporting and customer records.
• Proactively resolve customer issues, strengthen retention and maximise long-term customer relationships.

Key Requirements

• Proven experience as a National Account Manager, Key Account Manager or in a similar commercial sales position.
• Experience within the meat, food manufacturing, foodservice, wholesale food or wider FMCG sector is highly desirable.
• Demonstrable success managing and developing major customer accounts, ideally involving national or multi-site customers.
• Strong commercial awareness and experience negotiating pricing, contracts and trading terms.
• A proven track record of delivering sales growth while protecting margins and profitability.
• Excellent communication, presentation and relationship management skills.
• Ability to influence and negotiate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• A proactive approach to business development and identifying new revenue opportunities.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple accounts and competing priorities.
• Experience using sales reporting, forecasting and account management systems.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel nationally to customer sites.