National Account Manager

National Account Manager - Fresh Produce
Vacancy Reference: 44783 AB

*This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.*

Do you have experience in Account Management?

Have you got a background within Food or Fresh Produce?

Are you happy to be office based?

If yes to the above, this could be the role for you…

The Company:
Our client is a well-known and respected produce company, providing high quality products to a variety of clients.

The Job Role:
As National Account Manager you will report into the Head of Sales. You will develop and maintain effective, profitable, commercial relationships with existing food manufacturing and food service customers, whilst also nurturing, developing and establishing new business opportunities/key supply routes for the distribution and national sale of company products. Clear, effective communication and attention to detail is paramount to the role while customer satisfaction should be at the forefront of all decision making.

Location: North / Northwest England - office-based role with travel to customers

Salary Package: £45,000 - £55,000 basic salary depending on skills and experience + company vehicle or car allowance + fuel card + 28 days holiday including bank holidays + standard pension contribution

Key Responsibilities of a National Account Manager:
Nurture and develop strong relationships with existing Food Manufacturing/Food Service customers - taking responsibility as main contact for all allocated accounts.

To visit customers regularly, attending meetings, preparing presentations and investigating/resolving complaints and queries as required.

Ownership of Food Manufacturing/Food service and Distributor accounts, with the responsibility of increasing sales and profitability.

Work closely with customers to secure longer term partnerships.

To identify and explore new customer sales opportunities in line with the business's strategic Sales objectives.

Provide accurate and timely deliverance of all customer requests.

Ability to successfully understand, interpret and communicate the needs of our customers to relevant business departments.

Work closely with existing distributors and through the identification, pursuit and development of new distribution partners, harness and develop nationwide strategy for the sale of company products.

Ensure that all internal commercial reporting such as KPI data, monthly customer reviews are completed in an accurate and timely manner.

Clearly communicate new business, wins, delists and key volume changes within the business including maintaining and issuing 12 week rolling forecast.

Be accountable for setting annual budgets for customer accounts/marketing spend and monitoring performance on a monthly basis.

Responsible for ensuring all customer account pricing is negotiated/submitted and implemented in line with the company pricing strategy.

Ensure all new product quotes/tenders are discussed through the costing/npd process and parameters of the quote, clearly identified to the customer at the point of submission.

Build an understanding of product and customer profitability through engagement with finance.

Build strong relationships with key personnel across manufacturing sites. Build knowledgeable understanding of the operational business and products to be able to relay to customers effectively, authentically and with credibility.

Develop a marketing plan to help support the business strategy both internally and externally.

Maintain the businesses website and advertisement campaigns.

Coordination and implementation of digital marketing for the company.

Deliver personal and company objectives as outlined by the Head of Sales.

Represent company values and reflect the culture and professionalism.

Support all members of Sales Team as necessary, providing cover for holidays as required.

Key Performance Indicators of a National Account Manager:
Customer satisfaction to be maintained at all times by driving external/internal action where required in a timely manner.

Progress is clearly demonstrated and documented. Customer complaints and queries are dealt with in a timely manner. Strategic account plans in place with all key accounts in line with company objectives.

Working cross functionally and proactively to ensure cost of supply reflected in all customer pricing agreements. Up-selling opportunities explored with the customer/internally in a timely and accurate manner. Sales/company profits increase in line with cost and budget guidelines.

Close working relationships with customers are developed and maintained.

Develop pipeline of opportunities and explore internally/externally to ensure opportunities are fully scoped out and capitalised on where appropriate.

All customer requests to be acknowledged within 24 hours and clear completion plans and timescales agreed if immediate resolution/close out cannot be achieved.

Clear communication channels followed, and regular customer updates provided i.e. contact reports, call logs etc.

Build sales plan to develop company products including individual account plans with key strategic distribution partners while also identifying new partners, agreeing key sales metrics and timescales to drive the growth of the brand.

Key KPI's are analysed and trended with action plans in place for improvement.

Communication is clear and timely, ensuring all relevant departments are included.

Work with the Head of Sales, Finance and Directors to ensure customer and marketing expectations are outlined and performance/spends reviewed and further action agreed (where appropriate) on a monthly basis.

As defined the pricing process is completed in a timely fashion and accurately in line with the level of sign off required. Business profitability closely protected and improved in all negotiations unless outside influences dictate otherwise.

The Costing and NPD process is followed and all stipulations of supply, clearly communicated to the customer at the point pricing is submitted.

Work closely with finance to ensure understanding of costs and profitability.

Spend time at the sites understanding the process/products and building relationships with operational and supporting teams.

Be responsible for developing and delivering the marketing plan both externally and working closely with the HR function, on internal communications also.

Website and advertisement are utilised and updated regularly in line with agreed marketing plan/ frequency.

Working closely with colleagues on relevant content that represents the businesses values/strategy in line with agreed marketing plan/frequency.

Values are represented at all times especially when acting on behalf of the business/all touch points with the customer.

Candidate Requirements:
Essential:
Full Driving license
Degree level educated
Minimum of 2-years' experience in an Account Manager role
Relevant experience within the Food sector
Relevant experience of short shelf-life supply chains
Excellent interpersonal skills, attention to detail and communication skills
Strong understanding of sales metrics and company costing processes.
Knowledge of excel and other associated office packages
Inquisitive nature, ability to influence without authority and strong problem-solving skills

Desirable:
Experience in produce sector
Experience in food manufacturing sector

Keywords:
Account Manager, Account Management, National Account Manager, National Account Management, National Manager, Business Manager, Business Management, Sales Manager, Sales Management, Client Manager, Client Management, Customer Manager, Customer Management, Food Jobs, Jobs in Food, Fresh Product Jobs, Food Industry, Fresh Produce, Food Manufacturing, Food Accounts, Food Account, Agri FJ, Agricultural Recruitment, Agricultural and Farming Jobs.

We thank all applicants who apply for this role. However, please be advised that only those short listed for an interview will be contacted. Please be assured that your job application will be managed in complete confidence and your personal details will not be passed to any third party without your prior permission.