Senior Key Account Manager - Chocolate

Puratos; Buckingham; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in food solutions is seeking a Senior Key Account Manager to drive chocolate sales growth in Buckingham. This role will involve shaping product development and managing relationships across the bakery, patisserie, and chocolatiers sectors. Key responsibilities include delivering sales targets, defining Joint Business Plans, and collaborating with product management. The ideal candidate will have a strong sales background, excellent communication skills, and a passion for food innovation.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Annual Bonus Scheme

Generous Pension Plan

Private Medical Insurance

Up to 5 Weeks Annual Leave

Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Program

Qualifications

• Proven track record of sales within the food business, direct experience with chocolate is a bonus.
• High level of communication skills in all forms.
• Comfortable and proactive use of digital tools.

Responsibilities

• Deliver budgeted sales in volume, turnover & margin.
• Define and implement Joint Business Plans with key customers.
• Manage forecast accuracy and S&OP with the Head of Supply Chain.

Skills

Communication skills

Sales experience

Negotiation skills

Forecasting knowledge

Job description

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

Functional area: Sales

Job Location: GBR - Buckingham

Country/Region: United Kingdom

Who are you?: Professionals

Permanent/Temporary: Permanent

Working time: Full Time

Req ID: 34836
Information at a Glance

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Senior Key Account Manager / Controller - Chocolate

Location: Remote

Shift: Monday to Friday, (core hours are 08:30 - 17:00)

Salary: Competitive range based on experience

Join the Magic

Our Mission

At Puratos, we create innovative food solutions for the health and well‑being of people everywhere. As the global leader in bakery, patisserie and chocolate ingredients, we help our customers to be successful with their business, by turning technologies and experiences from food cultures around the world into new opportunities.

We have more than 10,000 employees in over 70 countries and a consolidated turnover of 3.1 billion euros (in 2023). Our passion for innovation, a pioneering spirit and the unique Puratos culture drive our solid growth and vision for the future This, along with our commitment to our local communities, is what makes working at Puratos so magical.

To build our team we are looking for a Senior Key Account Manager - Chocolate to join our Sales Team reporting to the Sales Director.

Your Mission

As Senior Key Account Manager - Chocolate, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Puratos UK's chocolate business across the patisserie, bakery, and chocolatiers sectors. You'll be at the heart of driving sales growth and market share by harnessing creativity and innovation, championing the development of new chocolate products aligned with our global vision, UK strategy, and commercial ambitions.

You will be the lead architect for our chocolate contracting across all sectors, expertly managing margin, pricing, and distributor relationships. Your insights into market trends, cocoa futures, foreign exchange, and risk management will enable you to maximise opportunities for growth and profitability. As the trusted expert and single point of contact for our global chocolate business unit, your leadership and guidance will empower our Sales Team to exceed expectations.

Collaborating closely with Product Management and R&D, you will define and deliver our 'Long Range Plan' for chocolate, identifying and seizing development opportunities to ensure Puratos UK remains at the forefront of the industry. You'll champion best practice and continuous improvement in CRM usage, becoming our in‑house super user and supporting the R&D Director to drive excellence in NPD management processes.

Join us to lead, innovate, and inspire - making a real difference in the world of chocolate for Puratos UK and beyond.

What you will do

Commercial

• Accountability for delivering budgeted sales in volume, turnover & margin

Customer Focus

• Define, and implement Joint Business Plans (JBP) with focused key customers within direct sales portfolios and support others within their JBP's
• Manage forecast accuracy and S&OP along with Head of Supply Chain to ensure consistently high service level
• Work closely with the Customer Service Team for order processing and follow up
• Monitor cocoa futures and advise wider business on market dynamics in collaboration with Belgium pricing team
• Manage local margin and customer‑related margin through internal system
• Develop strategic customers to gain market share, optimise contracting opportunities and optimise contract cover position
• Develop senior level relationships with key customers & industry bodies
• Manage FOREX exposure on futures contracting to ensure sufficient UK cover on foreign exchange related to contracted volumes along with finance team
• Manager customer visits to Belcolade including factory tours and BU engagement

Technical Expertise

• Provide advice to wider Sales Team on chocolate types, viscosities, range and packing types across all pallet formats to gain business
• Develop plan to ensure margin enhancements through value added chocolate (strategic innovations)
• Become Puratos UK 'Chocolate Guru' and lead/participate in chocolate training for both internal and external customers
• Learn Belcolade chocolate manufacturing processes through close relationship with the Belcolade factory teams - generating an understanding of ingredients, quality standards, country of origin requirements
• Provide advice and recommendations to product managers along with internal and external customers based on finished product application

Management

• Manage all aspects of the contracting & quotation system, customer authorisation groups, transport network, validity of contracts, expiring penalty contracts, price increases and raw material management through SAP

What we expect from you

• High level of communication skills in all forms (developing and giving presentations, written and verbal comms, listening)
• Proven track record of sales within food business (direct experience with chocolate a bonus)
• First‑rate negotiation skills & proven commercial acumen
• Must have knowledge of forecasting (S&OP), demand planning, budget setting, margin management, and customer relationship tools
• Ability to network at all levels both internally & externally
• Cultural fit with our established local behaviours and ability to adapt within our European HQ environment
• An interest in food and demonstrable commitment to social responsibility
• Comfortable and proactive use of digital tools

What you can expect from Puratos

We are a warm family company with a historical growth track record and a clear long‑term vision for the future. We promote a caring, trustful and respectful work environment by putting people first.

We at Puratos cultivate an inclusive global workplace that fully embraces diversity and equal opportunities for all. We strive to reflect the richness of our customers, communities and society, accelerating our ability to innovate and deliver on our commitments.

Benefits

The benefits of this role include.

• Competitive Salary - a competitive salary based on experience, reviewed annually
• Annual Bonus Scheme - 5% standard, with stretch potential up to 10%.
• Generous Pension Plan - Up to 7.5% employer contributions to support your future.
• Private Medical Insurance - BUPA single cover fully paid, with options to add family members.
• Up to 5 Weeks Annual Leave - Plus the flexibility to buy or sell additional days.
• Enhanced Company Sick Pay - Because your health matters.
• Learning & Development - Structured programs with a target of 5 learning days per year.
• Wellbeing Matters - Access to our 'Calling for Caring' wellbeing initiatives.
• Life Assurance - 2x your salary plus a 20% spouse pension.
• Income Protection - Financial support when you need it most.
• Loyal Service Awards - Celebrating your milestones with us.
• Employee Assistance Program - Confidential support for life's challenges.
• Refer a Friend Scheme - Earn £500 for successful referrals.
• High Street Discounts - Save with Perkbox perks.
• Monthly 'Magic Star' Awards - Win £50 in vouchers for going above and beyond.
• Cycle to Work Scheme - Save money and stay healthy

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you're excited about helping others grow and want to be part of something magical, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now and help us shape the future at Puratos. Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.