Senior National Account Manager

INKEY | B Corp; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the beauty and skincare sector is looking for a Senior National Account Manager to enhance European retail partnerships, particularly with Sephora. This pivotal role focuses on driving operational excellence and commercial growth through strategic account management and leadership development. The ideal candidate will possess strong account management skills and a deep understanding of the European retail landscape.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in account management within beauty or FMCG.
• Strong understanding of the European retail landscape, Sephora experience preferred.
• Demonstrated track record of managing large-scale retail accounts.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial relationship with Sephora Europe.
• Develop and execute business plans aligned with strategic objectives.
• Mentor and develop a high-performing team.

Skills

Account Management

Leadership

Commercial Acumen

Negotiation

Analytical Skills

Relationship Building

Team Development

Problem-solving

Proficient in Excel

Proficient in PowerPoint

Job description

Job Title: Senior National Account Manager – Europe

Location: Notts/London

Reports to: Head of Commercial

Direct Reports: 2 (National Account Manager, Trade Marketing Manager)

Role Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and commercially driven Senior National Account Manager to lead our European retail partnerships, with a primary focus on Sephora Europe, our largest and most strategic European retail partner. This individual will play a pivotal role in delivering strong growth, elevating brand visibility, and driving operational excellence across key markets.

Key Responsibilities

Account Management

• Own and lead the commercial relationship with Sephora Europe, overseeing strategy, sell-in, and sell-through performance across all Sephora European regions.
• Develop and execute robust business plans and joint business plans (JBPs) aligned with The INKEY List’s global objectives and regional strategies.
• Collaborate closely with Sephora’s buying, marketing, and supply chain teams to ensure alignment and seamless execution of initiatives.
• Track and analyse performance metrics, implementing strategic actions to optimize ROI and exceed targets.
• Own all Retail and Wholesale forecasting for defined retailers within the set financial submission deadlines, monitoring performance whilst flagging risks and opportunities to the business

Broader European Retail Strategy

• Oversee additional European retail accounts with the aim to grow market share, enhance brand equity, and drive profitability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g. Marketing, Supply Chain, Education, Finance) to align initiatives with commercial goals across the region.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop two direct reports, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and positivity.
• Set clear KPIs, provide regular coaching, and support professional development to help the team deliver strong account performance.

Key Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in national or international account management within the beauty, skincare, or FMCG industry.
• Strong understanding of the European retail landscape; Sephora experience is highly preferred. Experience of Douglas and Zalando is also advantageous.
• Demonstrated track record of managing large-scale retail accounts and driving consistent commercial growth.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with experience in developing high-performing teams.
• Strong commercial acumen, analytical skills, and ability to build compelling data-driven business cases.
• Confident communicator with exceptional negotiation and relationship-building abilities.
• Passion for skincare, innovation, and consumer education.
• Can-do attitude and a go-getter, always looking for the solution when faced with a challenge
• Proficient in Excel and PowerPoint
• French/German speaking advantageous