Senior Commercial Account Manager

gategroup; City Of London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering solutions provider in the UK is seeking a senior commercial account manager to oversee a vital customer account. This role involves managing profitability, ensuring contractual compliance, and building strong relationships. You will lead reviews, validate contracts, and engage with various stakeholders to drive business growth. Ideal candidates will have proven account management experience, strong presentation skills, and commercial acumen, alongside proficiency in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Qualifications

• Proven account management or customer service experience in catering, hospitality, or aviation.
• Commercial acumen with a solid understanding of P&L management and contract profitability.
• Sales and business development experience – you know how to grow relationships and spot opportunities.
• Strong presentation and leadership skills – you’re confident leading senior-level meetings.
• Someone who thrives under pressure, travels comfortably, and enjoys being in the thick of it.

Responsibilities

• Managing customer profitability by working closely with finance and operations planning & control.
• Ensuring menus and services are correctly costed, priced, and approved.
• Leading customer contract renewals alongside the Commercial Director and executive team.
• Validating customer invoices and billing systems to eliminate errors and protect revenue.
• Managing customer audits with operations and compliance teams.
• Driving continuous improvement and innovation.
• Proactively engaging with operational unit managers to activate business change.

Skills

Account management experience

Commercial acumen

Sales and business development

Strong presentation skills

Excellent IT skills

Problem-solving

Education

Degree level education or equivalent experience

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

We're looking for a commercially sharp, strategically minded Senior Commercial Account Manager to take ownership of a high-value customer account and become the trusted face of GateGroup. What you'll own: You're the key point person for everything related to your account. You'll proactively manage the governance of the relationship - leading monthly, quarterly, and annual business reviews with sharp presentations that showcase operational performance, strategic developments, and commercial insights. You'll be the bridge between what the customer needs and what the business delivers, navigating internal stakeholders across operations, finance, procurement, culinary, and to make it happen. Your day-to-day will include:

Responsibilities

• Managing customer profitability by working closely with finance and operations planning & control
• Ensuring menus and services are correctly costed, priced, and approved – including CPI, material, and labour adjustments
• Leading customer contract renewals alongside the Commercial Director and executive team
• Validating customer invoices, forecasts, and billing systems to eliminate errors and protect revenue
• Managing customer audits with operations and compliance teams
• Presenting menu changes, pricing submissions, and strategic initiatives to the customer
• Driving continuous improvement and innovation – challenging the status quo for the benefit of both customer and business
• Proactively engaging with operational unit managers to activate business change and resolve service delivery issues
• Using data to drive objective decision‑making across all aspects of the account

You’ll report weekly to the Commercial Director on customer status, revenue outlook, and debt management. This role demands someone who’s confident with numbers, sharp with detail, and persuasive in front of senior audiences.

Qualifications

• Proven account management or customer service experience in catering, hospitality, or aviation.
• Commercial acumen with a solid understanding of P&L management and contract profitability.
• Sales and business development experience – you know how to grow relationships and spot opportunities.
• Strong presentation and leadership skills – you’re confident leading senior‑level meetings.
• Excellent IT skills across Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Degree level education or equivalent experience.
• Someone who thrives under pressure, travels comfortably (50% UK & I travel), and enjoys being in the thick of it.
• A problem‑solver who uses data, engages stakeholders, and gets things done.