Key Account Manager

Ntice Search Solutions; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the food service sector is seeking a Key Account Manager to manage a portfolio of major national accounts. The successful candidate will build long-term relationships and drive sales growth in the Out-of-Home (OOH) and Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) channels. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, analyzing sales performance, and developing strategic growth plans.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in OOH and/or QSR sales with national account exposure.
• Proven experience in driving sales growth and managing major customer accounts.

Responsibilities

• Manage and take full accountability for national Key Accounts.
• Develop and execute sales strategies to grow volume and improve gross margins.
• Identify market trends and new opportunities for strategic growth.

Skills

Negotiation

Sales analysis

Stakeholder management

Strategic business development

Project management

Forecasting

Communication

Education

Matric / Grade 12

Tertiary qualification in Sales, Food Technology, Food Science, Business

Job description

Do you consider yourself a strategic, commercially minded “foodie” who thrives in building long-term relationships and delivering high-impact growth? We are looking for a Key Account Manager with strong experience in the Out-of-Home (OOH) or Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) channels to manage a portfolio of major national accounts and drive consistent, profitable revenue growth.

In this role, you’ll be the primary interface between our business and nominated national clients—developing and executing sales strategies that grow volume, improve gross margins, and strengthen our market position through product innovation and tailored solutions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage and take full accountability for nominated National Key Accounts, ensuring volume and market share growth across our OOH product range
• Build multi-level national and regional relationships, including negotiating pricing, trading terms, promotions, rebate management, and resolving account queries
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Regional OOH Sales Teams, Technologists, NPD Chef, and Marketing to deliver product innovation and project timelines
• Identify market trends and new opportunities to develop strategic growth plans for existing and new products
• Prepare and present compelling customer-facing product solutions and innovation proposals
• Oversee sales forecasting, planning, and stockholding alignment in line with S&OP and national stock guidelines
• Analyse and report on sales volumes, product margin performance, and promotional effectiveness across accounts
• Drive the execution of innovation programs to increase category penetration and capture market share
• Conduct regular sales meetings, reporting, and strategic reviews with internal stakeholders and client partners
• Align sales strategies with broader business objectives, ensuring both short- and long-term profitability as well as analysing margin performance by product
• Reports to the General Manager

Minimum Requirements:

Education and Experience:

• Matric / Grade 12 essential
• Tertiary qualification in Sales, Food Technology, Food Science, Business, or related field (Food Science/Food Tech preferred)
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in OOH and/or QSR sales with national account exposure
• Proven experience in driving sales growth, managing major customer accounts, and launching new food products

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong negotiation and influencing skills
• Excellent project management and planning ability
• Sales analysis and performance tracking
• People and stakeholder management across various levels
• Strategic business development
• Strong execution of business plans and innovation delivery
• Ability to communicate across multiple levels and departments
• Commercially savvy with strong forecasting and analytical insight
• Passionate about food – a true “foodie” with product insight, experience with new product launches & project management