Senior National Account Manager, Grocery - Fresh Foods

Senior National Account Manager, Grocery

Fresh Food Global FMCG

West Sussex x 3 days per week

A leading UK & global food business is seeking an experienced Senior National Account Manager to lead a strategically critical grocery retail account. This is a high-profile role with full P&L ownership, responsibility for long-term category growth, and the opportunity to shape a multi-year customer strategy within a fast-paced, values-led organisation.

The Role

Reporting into the Customer Director, you will be accountable for delivering a three-year customer strategy that drives sustainable category growth, market share gains, and improved profitability. Success in this role will be underpinned by strong senior-level customer relationships, commercial rigour, and the ability to mobilise cross-functional teams at pace.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute a long-term customer and category strategy aligned to growth and profitability objectives
• Own the end-to-end customer P&L, proactively identifying risks and opportunities
• Lead commercial negotiations including pricing, promotions, and range reviews
• Drive margin improvement through mix optimisation, pricing, cost management, and efficiency initiatives
• Set clear priorities across Category, Development, Technical, Supply Chain, Finance, and Operations
• Build and maintain trusted, influential relationships across the customer network
• Shape category strategy using insight, data, shopper understanding, and market trends
• Anticipate future customer needs and develop proactive, value-adding solutions
• Deliver budget, forecast accuracy, and joint quality plans
• Act as a senior ambassador for the business, role-modelling pace, accountability, and commercial leadership

About You

• Proven experience managing a major UK Top 4 Grocery account
• Background in own label product / fresh food and/or seasonal categories is strongly preferred
• Strong commercial acumen with demonstrable P&L ownership
• Excellent influencing, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
• Compelling storyteller with clear, confident communication style
• Resilient, driven, and able to execute plans with speed and discipline
• Deep understanding of shoppers, missions, and category dynamics

The business has an eniviable, collaborative working culture which is highly supportive and progressive. A great place to work, there are plenty of examples of employee's rising up the ranks and realising their career aspirations!