National Account Manager - Foods

Solent Group; Christchurch; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail solutions company in the UK is seeking a National Account Manager. This role involves building customer relationships and managing national accounts to achieve targets. Candidates should have at least 2 years of experience in FMCG, ideally with top 6 grocers, and a strong commercial sense. The position is hybrid based in Christchurch and includes competitive benefits such as flexible working hours and a yearly bonus structure.

Benefits

Competitive salary with annual reviews

25 days holiday, increasing with service

Flexible hours and work from home options

Yearly bonus structure

Pension Scheme Contribution

Cycle to Work scheme

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years' experience managing national accounts, ideally with top 6 grocers.
• Retail/FMCG/Food experience essential, ideally with top 6 grocers.
• Experience with international grocers is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Grow existing clients and generate new business.
• Formulate customer-specific sales plan/strategy.
• Lead project implementation and resource allocation.

Skills

Strong commercial acumen

Relationship building

Detail-oriented

Project Management

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Teams

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Solent Group work with a diverse portfolio of Retailers and supply bespoke products within various categories, including Health & Beauty, Household Impulse Snacking and Reusable Bags. We are proud to be best-in-class when it comes to own-label product innovation. Our Categories are fast-paced with ever-evolving trends and a host of ground-breaking products coming to market on a regular basis - we add value to retailers by leading and owning each category.

Here at Solent we want people to be extraordinary. We pride ourselves on creating and producing amazing products and brands for our Global Customers. You will be joining a company with offices globally across South Africa, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Vietnam, and the UK.

DIVISION/DEPT: Commercial

REPORT TO: National Account Controller

LOCATION: Hybrid (Commuting distance to Christchurch, Dorset)

TRAVEL: UK and EU

Purpose of the role

Solent Group is seeking a dynamic National Account Manager to build relationships with our customers and manufacturing partners. You will develop existing accounts and look for new business to add to our already prestigious portfolio. This role is responsible for planning and overseeing all aspects of projects while meeting set targets.

You will be an experienced National Account Manager within FMCG (ideally foods) who has an exceptional track record of maintaining and growing a customer base while ensuring all members of the team are motivated and inspired to hit business goals and objectives.

Strong commercial acumen coupled with a desire to go above and beyond is key for this role, Solent Group is committed to achieving the extraordinary together, we would love you to be part of our journey!

Main Responsibilities

Bring your passion and enthusiasm to grow existing clients, alongside generating new business

Live the Solent Values and work with your teams to drive the Vision

Work with all depts to ensure customer strategy is met

Formulate customer-specific sales plan/strategy

You will be working independently alongside a pre-set sales strategy to achieve account-specific budgets

Understand customer KPIs, and targets and review performance, with knowledge and proposals to reach category standards

Relentlessly pioneer the future and pursue ambitious growth opportunities in your customers

Be resourceful and employ innovative solutions to deliver value, gross margin & volume targets for your customers

Contribute to the wider sales team and support other colleagues with their accounts

Assigning, monitor and co-ordinate project milestones and progress, with both internal and external stakeholders

Lead and plan the implementation of the project (resource, relationship, allocation)

Ensure visibility and feedback is maintained

Experience

Minimum 2 years' experience managing national accounts, ideally top 6 grocers

Strong commercial acumen

Retail/FMCG/ Food Experience Essential, Ideally Top 6 Grocers

Experience across our product categories, ideally in Foods/Manufacturing and or Private Label

Appetite/experience with international grocers

Detail-orientated with an ability to multi-task and set priorities

Experience in Critical Path Management

Resource Planning & Allocation

Project Risk Assessment

Familiar with using Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Excel, and PowerPoint

What we offer

Competitive salary with annual salary reviews

25 days holiday per annum, increasing to 27 days after 3 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service

Extensive benefits program including buying additional holiday, medical cash plan, access to mental health support and many other benefits

Flexible hours and work from home available to all staff

Great learning and development and progression opportunities Yearly bonus structure (based on company targets)

Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave

Generous Company Sick Pay

Pension Scheme Contribution

Solent social events run by our inhouse Social Team

Cycle to Work scheme

Dress down Fridays

Free parking on Christchurch Quay