Strategic Key Account Manager - FMCG & Value Retail

Lincoln Recruitment Specialists; Leinster; On-site; EUR 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Lincoln Recruitment Specialists is seeking an experienced Key Account Manager for a national FMCG business in Ireland. You will take ownership of key customer accounts, develop joint business plans, promotional strategies and trade activation programmes to deliver sustainable growth and strong execution at store level.

The ideal candidate will have 3+ years' experience selling into value retail and possess strong negotiation, analytical, and relationship skills.

Qualifications

• 3+ years' relevant experience in sales, account management or key account management with exposure selling into value retail.
• Strong commercial awareness and business acumen.
• Proven negotiation, influencing and relationship-management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience developing and implementing customer business plans and promotional activity.
• Strong analytical and numerical ability, with confidence working with sales and commercial data.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills.
• A results-driven approach and the resilience to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• The ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively across multiple functions.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence at different levels within an organisation.
• High learning agility, curiosity and a willingness to identify and pursue new commercial opportunities.
• Good proficiency across Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• A full, clean and current driving licence.
• Flexibility to travel and occasionally spend time away from home for business purposes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong strategic relationships with key customers and decision-makers.
• Manage and grow an existing portfolio of key accounts, identifying opportunities for new business and increased distribution.
• Lead customer negotiations across pricing, promotions, distribution, new product listings and other commercial opportunities.
• Develop customer-specific promotional plans in partnership with Marketing and Commercial Finance.
• Deliver agreed sales, margin, revenue and distribution targets across the account portfolio.
• Develop and execute customer business plans, promotional calendars and trade activation programmes.
• Identify opportunities for portfolio development, new product listings and distribution gains.
• Manage customer price files, ensuring pricing information is accurate and kept up to date.
• Analyse customer, sales and market data to identify commercial opportunities and support decision-making.
• Provide accurate forecasts, reports and commercial analysis to senior management.
• Work closely with Distribution, Sales and Marketing to ensure product availability and strong execution across customer locations.
• Monitor customer orders, deliveries and service issues, coordinating with internal teams to resolve problems quickly.
• Develop effective commercial proposals designed to increase customer value and profitability.
• Build strong internal relationships across Commercial, Finance, Marketing, Sales and Operations.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen supplier/customer partnerships and develop preferred supplier or category leadership opportunities.
• Maintain a strong understanding of brands, products, customers, competitors, market trends and promotional activity.
• Manage costs effectively while maximising commercial value across key accounts.

Skills

Key account management

Negotiation

Relationship management

Communication

Analytical skills

Planning & organisation

Excel

Driving licence

Travel willingness

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Lincoln Recruitment Specialists is seeking an experienced Key Account Manager for a national FMCG business in Ireland. You will take ownership of key customer accounts, develop joint business plans, promotional strategies and trade activation programmes to deliver sustainable growth and strong execution at store level.

The ideal candidate will have 3+ years' experience selling into value retail and possess strong negotiation, analytical, and relationship skills.