Job Details

We are working with a fast-growing FMCG food business that is building an impressive presence across the UK grocery and wholesale market.

Following significant year-on-year growth, the company is now entering an exciting stage of expansion and is looking for an experienced National Account Manager to join its commercial team.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who understands the UK grocery retail landscape, enjoys building long-term customer partnerships and wants to play a visible role within an ambitious and entrepreneurial business.

The Opportunity:
As National Account Manager, you will take full commercial ownership of a portfolio of major retail and wholesale customers.

You will develop strategic account plans, lead customer negotiations and work closely with buying, category, supply chain and commercial teams to deliver profitable and sustainable growth.

This is not simply an account-maintenance position. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape customer strategy, expand distribution, introduce new products and contribute directly to the company's wider growth plans.

Key Responsibilities:
Customer Relationships and Account Development
* Build trusted, long-term relationships with key customer stakeholders across buying, category, commercial and supply chain teams.
* Develop a detailed understanding of each customer's strategy, priorities, trading calendar and commercial objectives.
* Create and deliver Joint Business Plans that support both customer requirements and wider business growth.
* Build a strong network of contacts within customer organisations to encourage collaboration and identify new opportunities.
* Manage retailer systems and administrative processes, including customer portals, new-line forms, promotional nominations and cost-price submissions.
* Identify and pursue new business opportunities across the UK grocery, retail and wholesale sectors.
* Support the expansion of product distribution across existing and prospective customer accounts.

Commercial Performance and Account Ownership
* Deliver agreed revenue, sales, margin and profitability targets across assigned accounts.
* Take ownership of account P&L performance and make commercially sound decisions around pricing, promotions and customer investment.
* Lead commercial negotiations covering pricing, promotional activity, trading agreements and annual terms.
* Manage promotional calendars and trade investment to achieve the strongest possible return.
* Regularly review account performance and take action where improvements or corrective measures are required.

Strategic Planning and Growth
* Develop and execute one-to-three-year account strategies.
* Identify opportunities to increase distribution, improve range performance and strengthen in-store brand visibility.
* Lead or support customer range reviews and category discussions.
* Coordinate the successful introduction of new products across customer accounts.
* Develop seasonal and promotional programmes that increase sales and improve brand awareness.
* Identify emerging trends, customer needs and category opportunities that could support future growth.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
* Work closely with marketing, finance, supply chain, operations and product teams to deliver customer plans effectively.
* Support accurate sales forecasting and demand planning to maintain strong stock availability and customer service levels.
* Partner with marketing teams to develop effective customer activations, campaigns and promotional initiatives.
* Work with finance teams to manage customer investment, promotional spend and account profitability.
* Ensure internal stakeholders remain informed about customer priorities, risks, opportunities and upcoming activity.

Performance Analysis and Commercial Insight
* Monitor sales performance, market trends, customer activity and competitor developments.
* Use data to identify commercial risks, performance gaps and future growth opportunities.
* Maintain accurate forecasting, performance-tracking and account-planning tools.
* Produce clear commercial updates and recommendations for senior leadership.
* Turn customer and sales data into practical actions that improve account performance.

About You:
We are looking for a commercially driven National Account Manager who combines strong customer-management skills with a practical, hands-on approach.

You will ideally have:
* At least five years of experience managing national accounts within the UK FMCG grocery or wholesale market.
* Direct experience working with major grocery or wholesale customers such as Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Booker or similar organisations.
* A proven track record of delivering account growth through effective forecasting, Joint Business Planning and commercial strategy.
* Strong experience managing account P&Ls, pricing, promotions and trade investment.
* Confidence leading customer negotiations and presenting commercial proposals.
* Established relationships with retail buying, category or senior commercial stakeholders.
* Strong analytical skills and the ability to turn data into clear commercial recommendations.
* Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder-management capabilities.
* Strong organisation, planning and project-management skills.
* The ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving, growing and entrepreneurial environment.

Experience within ambient foods, World Foods, international foods or related product categories would be highly advantageous.

Knowledge of retailer systems, EDI invoicing and advanced Excel would also be beneficial.

Why Consider This Opportunity?
This is a chance to join a growing business where your contribution will be recognised and where you will have genuine influence over customer strategy and commercial growth.

You will work closely with senior decision-makers, take ownership of important customer relationships and help shape the next stage of the company's development.

For an experienced FMCG National Account Manager who enjoys building something, rather than simply maintaining established accounts, this could be a particularly rewarding next career move.

Please apply with your latest CV for a confidential discussion about the opportunity.