Principal Key Account Manager

TN United Kingdom; London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the sustainability and chemical sectors is seeking a Key / Strategic Account Manager to enhance client relationships and drive growth within strategic accounts. The role involves account management, market insights, and ensuring client satisfaction while promoting sustainable solutions. This position offers flexibility in working arrangements and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

25 days’ leave

8 flexible bank holidays

Pension

Life assurance

Support for professional subscriptions

Qualifications

• Experience in Key Account Management and sales.
• Proven ability to establish relationships within accounts.
• Track record of exceeding account management targets.

Responsibilities

• Develop and expand relationships within allocated strategic accounts.
• Implement activities supporting the account management strategy.
• Engage directly with clients to gather market insights.

Skills

Relationship Development

Account Management

Sales

Customer Service

Decision-Making

Consultative Sales

Risk Management

Tools

CRM Systems

Job description

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Location: Flexible (Office or Home based)

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Job ID 2024-2480

Ricardo is seeking a passionate and experienced Key / Strategic Account Manager to develop and grow relationships within approximately 40-50 strategic accounts. The role focuses on delivering Ricardo's suite of sustainability, emergency response, and regulatory compliance solutions within the chemical industry.

Ricardo has a strong pedigree in the chemical sector, with a growing emphasis on sustainability and decarbonisation solutions. We have a 50-year legacy through the National Chemical Emergency Centre (NCEC), specializing in response, chemical safety, and compliance solutions.

The primary objective of this role is to provide excellent account management, maximising client relationships to understand and address their business challenges across the Ricardo product suite. This includes identifying market and competitor insights, and seeking opportunities for up-selling and cross-selling, while ensuring customer retention. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong relationship-building skills, including penetrating new departments and business units to expand capabilities.

This role will be part of Ricardo’s wider Chemical Sector Sales Team, reporting to the Head of Account Management for the chemical sector.

Key Accountabilities:

1. Relationship Development: Develop and expand relationships within allocated strategic accounts to identify business challenges and create tailored solutions.
2. Account Management: Implement activities supporting the account management strategy to ensure client satisfaction, effective delivery, and leverage cross-sell/up-sell opportunities.
3. Engagement: Engage directly with clients to gather market insights, including trends, regulatory challenges, and competitor activity, contributing to business development strategies.
4. Managing Risk: Address issues affecting payment, satisfaction, and retention, working proactively to prevent risks related to service delivery.
5. Guidance: Liaise with internal teams (consultants, customer service, product delivery, sales) to ensure high-quality service delivery and client support.

Key Competencies and Experience:

• Experience in Key Account Management, sales, and retention best practices.
• Proven ability to establish and leverage relationships within accounts.
• Track record of cross-selling and exceeding account management targets.
• Effective management of a large customer base with a professional and disciplined approach.
• Decision-making skills in complex environments, balancing business development and client needs.
• Experience in consultative sales environments, such as consultancy or software.
• Background in sustainability, risk management, chemical response, regulatory, or safety sectors.
• Experience with CRM systems, especially MS Dynamics, is advantageous.

Skills and Behaviours:

• Organised, commercially aware, target-focused, with excellent customer service skills.
• Team player capable of working with diverse stakeholders and clients.
• Committed to continuous improvement and risk management.
• Knowledge sharing and team support orientation.
• Adaptability to dynamic operational environments and quick decision-making.
• Alignment with Ricardo’s values and high standards of behaviour and performance.

Working Here:

We foster an inclusive culture where every voice matters. We support your growth and encourage you to use your expertise to make a positive impact, delivering innovative solutions for safer, more sustainable communities.

Work-Life Balance:

Flexible working options include remote, in-office, or hybrid arrangements. We prioritize wellbeing and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including 25 days’ leave, 8 flexible bank holidays, pension, life assurance, and support for professional subscriptions.

Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion:

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. Recognized as a 'disability confident' employer, we believe a diverse workforce drives innovation and enriches our work environment.