Hybrid Working (3 days on site)
 

The Oval Partnership is working with a well established and successful business within the UK food and drink sector to recruit an experienced and commercially astute National Account Manager.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a business with a strong presence in the FMCG market, an established customer base and clear ambitions for continued growth.

We're looking for someone who genuinely enjoys the commercial side of account management, building relationships, spotting opportunities, negotiating effectively and working closely with customers to deliver results.

You'll have the opportunity to take real ownership of your accounts, influence commercial strategy and play an important role in developing the business's position within the UK grocery market.

Role Overview

Working closely with the wider Commercial team, you'll take responsibility for developing and delivering customer account plans, strengthening relationships with key grocery customers and driving profitable growth.

This is a role that combines strategic account planning with hands-on commercial management. You'll need to be equally comfortable discussing long-term customer plans, negotiating promotional activity and getting into the detail of account performance.

You'll also work closely with colleagues across Marketing, Finance and Supply Chain, ensuring that commercial plans are realistic, well executed and aligned with wider business objectives.

Key responsibilities

• Managing and developing relationships with key UK grocery customers, acting as a trusted commercial contact.

• Taking ownership of account performance, delivering agreed sales, volume and profitability targets.

• Developing and implementing annual customer business plans and Joint Business Plans (JBPs).

• Identifying opportunities to increase distribution, develop product ranges and strengthen the business's position within its customers.

• Planning and negotiating commercially effective promotional activity to deliver incremental sales and profitable growth.

• Leading customer negotiations and ensuring commercial agreements support both customer and business objectives.

• Working collaboratively with Marketing and other internal teams on product development, customer initiatives and future growth opportunities.

• Analysing sales performance, market trends and competitor activity to identify opportunities and inform commercial decisions.

• Providing accurate forecasts, commercial reporting and regular account performance reviews.

About You

We're looking for an experienced National Account Manager with a successful track record in the FMCG sector, ideally gained within food and drink.

You'll understand how the major UK grocery retailers operate and have the commercial confidence to manage customer relationships, challenge constructively and negotiate agreements that deliver sustainable results.

Just as importantly, you'll be someone who builds strong relationships internally and externally, takes responsibility for their accounts and enjoys being part of a collaborative commercial team.

Key Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in National Account Management within FMCG, preferably food or drink.

• Experience of managing relationships with major UK grocery retailers.

• Strong commercial and financial understanding, including sales forecasting, margins, promotional planning and profitability.

• Experience of developing customer business plans and delivering against agreed commercial objectives.

• Excellent negotiation, communication and relationship-building skills.

• An analytical approach, with the ability to interpret performance data and turn insights into commercial opportunities.

• The confidence to work across different business functions and influence stakeholders at various levels.

• A proactive, organised and self-motivated approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities.

Above all, we're looking for someone with sound commercial judgement, a positive approach and the ability to build lasting customer relationships.

This is an excellent opportunity for a National Account Manager who wants to take the next step in their career with a successful business operating in a competitive and interesting FMCG market.

You'll be joining an established commercial team where you'll have the opportunity to contribute ideas, influence customer strategy and see the impact of your work.

The role offers a good balance of commercial responsibility, customer interaction and cross-functional collaboration, with the flexibility of a hybrid working arrangement.

For someone who enjoys the challenge of grocery account management and wants to continue developing their commercial career, there's plenty here to be interested in.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious National Account Manager to take ownership, develop key grocery relationships and make a genuine commercial impact.  If you're an experienced FMCG National Account Manager looking for your next opportunity, we'd be pleased to hear from you.

For further information or a confidential discussion, please get in touch or apply with your CV today.