National Account Manager

Responsibilities

• You will manage lead and develop business through specific multiple and regional accounts as well as providing input to the develop brand and category plans.
• You will ensure plans reflect account opportunities and account strategy reflects company objectives maximising product brand shares.
• You will provide accurate and timely sales volume and value forecasts.
• You will maintain updated information and reports with account trading policies and business objectives and ensure that the most favourable trading terms on price service & profitability are negotiated.
• You will ensure promotional activity and new product listings maximise potential business in all accounts and to communicate all relevant information to the Business Controller.
• You will control product promotional budgets and identify improvement opportunities maintaining control of overheads and expenses within defined limits to ensure the most economic coverage of accounts.
• You will monitor and control account development and deliver budgeted sales and KPIs.
• You will monitor competitor activity and report on any such activity as well as making recommendations and implementing alternative business strategy in light of changing market conditions.
• You will establish working relationships with marketing client management sales planning & finance (for logistics) and liaise with the Logistics Manager over clients stock to ensure sufficient stock is available to meet existing and future requirements
• You will carry out any other reasonable task or tasks in connection with the job function as requested by your manager including a willingness to work flexibly beyond standard operating hours when required.
• You will attend client review meetings as necessary.

• Minimum of 1 years account management experience
• Recent exposure to the principles of category management preferably within the Convenience.
• Demonstrable experience of working with customers to build multi-level relationships.
• Demonstrable experience of creating and delivering successful account plans.

• Good general standard of education including Maths and English.

• The ability to negotiate in order to interface effectively with key external clients and stakeholders.
• The ability to use Excel to an intermediate level in order to identify and analyse trends and create commercial recommendations.
• Strong analytical skills in order to interpret sales data and forecast accordingly.
• The ability to use PowerPoint to an intermediate level in order to create impactful presentation for the trade and client review meetings.
• A strong understanding of the key financial measures that drive effective performance including ROI calculations promotional evaluation return on capital employed and sales modelling.
• Strong understanding of the core principles of category management and the ability to utilise these in trade recommendations and proposals.
• A broad understanding of external economic and political factors that influence the industry and the ability to eloquently outline these both at trade and client meetings.