Senior National Account Manager

FMCG Selection is partnering with one of the UK’s most exciting high-growth challenger brands within the premium chilled food sector.

The business has built considerable momentum and is now entering a pivotal stage in its development.

Over the latest season, the company has delivered exceptional year-on-year growth, established itself as one of the leading brands within its category and built a significant national distribution footprint across the major grocery multiples, alongside online and specialist retail channels.

The business has also been recognised externally for its innovation and has received a prestigious industry award, reflecting the strength of its proposition, product development and approach to the category.

Recent years have seen further major grocery launches, continued distribution gains and expansion of the product portfolio.

The opportunity now is to turn that momentum into the next phase of sustainable, profitable growth.

As part of that journey, the business is continuing to invest in its commercial capability and is looking to appoint a Senior National Account Manager who can help shape what comes next.

The Opportunity

This is far more than a traditional Senior National Account Manager position.

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will have significant visibility across the business and play an important role in shaping the wider commercial strategy.

You will take ownership of major UK grocery customers, but you will also contribute to decisions around distribution expansion, route to market, new business development, pricing strategy and the development of the wider commercial function.

For somebody currently operating within a large FMCG organisation, this offers the opportunity to move closer to the decision-making process and see the direct commercial impact of their work.

For somebody already experienced within a challenger brand or SME, it provides the chance to join a business with genuine scale, retailer traction and further headroom for growth.

The Role

You will take end-to-end commercial ownership of a portfolio of major UK grocery customers.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Owning senior retailer relationships across buyers, category teams and senior stakeholders
• Leading the commercial strategy across allocated major grocery accounts
• Driving range reviews, promotional planning and significant new product launches
• Taking full responsibility for customer P&Ls
• Managing pricing, trade spend, promotional ROI and margin delivery
• Building commercially compelling joint business plans
• Leading CPI, trading-term and high-value customer negotiations
• Identifying opportunities to increase distribution and grow market share
• Working alongside the CEO on wider commercial strategy
• Supporting decisions around new channels, route to market and business development
• Working closely with marketing, finance, supply chain and manufacturing
• Using category insight and market data to strengthen customer strategy
• Mentoring and developing junior members of the commercial team
• Representing the business at senior retailer meetings and industry events

The Candidate

We are looking for an accomplished grocery commercial professional with:

• 5–7+ years’ experience within National Account Management in FMCG / food & drink
• Experience at Senior National Account Manager level or clear readiness to step into this level of responsibility
• A strong track record managing major UK grocery retailers
• Evidence of delivering meaningful year-on-year account growth
• Full P&L ownership
• Strong pricing, margin and trade-investment capability
• Experience leading complex CPI and trading-term negotiations
• Confidence operating with senior retail stakeholders
• Strong knowledge of Nielsen, IRI, Kantar or equivalent category data
• Excellent presentation and negotiation skills
• The ability to operate autonomously within a fast-moving environment
• Full UK driving licence
• Ability to commute to the Surrey office 3 days per week

Salary: Up to £70,000 basic salary + benefits

Location: Guildford

Working pattern: 3 days per week in the Surrey office

For More Information

For a confidential discussion, please contact:
Aidan Goodall via