Senior National Account Manager, Senior National Account Manager

About The Role

We are seeking an experienced and commercially driven Senior Account Manager to lead the growth and development of a strategic retail account within Pilgrim’s Europe.

This is a high‑profile, customer‑focused role with full ownership of performance, responsible for delivering sustainable sales growth, profitable margin and long‑term customer partnerships. You will take the lead in driving customer strategy, Joint Business Planning and commercial execution, while influencing internally and externally at senior levels.

As a senior member of the commercial team, you will also play a key role in leading, coaching and developing others, setting the standard for performance, collaboration and delivery.

Department:
Commercial

Location:

Uxbridge (Office‑based)

Reporting to:
Commercial Controller

• Full P&L ownership for a defined account or portfolio of accounts
• Develop and deliver Joint Business Plans (JBPs) across all product categories and routes to market
• Drive sustainable sales growth, profitability and delivery against business objectives
• Own customer strategy and account development plans
• Champion the customer internally, ensuring alignment and delivery
• Identify and unlock growth opportunities through data, insight and strong customer relationships
• Lead and develop promotional strategies to maximise performance and ROI
• Drive focus on emerging routes to market, including convenience and online
• Integrate sales strategy into wider business planning, budgets and forecasts
• Monitor performance and take proactive action to manage risks and opportunities
• Own forecasting processes, including risks and opportunities management
• Deliver commercial KPIs in line with budgets and business improvement targets
• Lead performance reviews through the S&OP / SOP process
• Provide clear, data‑backed communication of account performance
• Work with Category and Customer Marketing teams to ensure plans are insight‑led, commercially viable and strategically aligned
• Manage marketing activity and budgets to deliver strong return on investment
• Support a market‑led NPD pipeline in collaboration with Product & Innovation teams
• Oversee stage‑gate processes and product launches, ensuring best‑in‑class execution
• Drive innovation that strengthens category position, sales and margin
• Build strong relationships across Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain and Operations
• Lead, coach and develop colleagues across the commercial function
• Drive a culture of ownership, accountability and continuous improvement
• Influence and challenge stakeholders at all levels, internally and externally

• Strong experience in major retail account management (typically 4+ years at Commercial Manager level)
• Experience with in a food or FMCG business
• Proven track record of delivering sales growth and profitability
• Experience leading Joint Business Planning (JBP) with key retail customers
• Excellent negotiation, influencing and stakeholder‑management skills
• Strong analytical and commercial decision‑making ability
• Confident communicator with high‑impact presentation skills
• Highly organised, able to manage complexity and competing priorities
• Resilient and adaptable within a fast‑paced FMCG environment
• Experience leading or mentoring others

• Understanding of category management and NPD processes
• Experience delivering effective promotional strategies
• Exposure to manufacturing and supply chain environments
• People management experience

• Full UK Driving Licence essential (travel is required)
• Degree preferred but not essential

Demonstrates ownership, integrity and determination, working collaboratively with discipline and humility to deliver practical results.

At Pilgrim’s Europe, you’ll be part of a business with scale, ambition and strong customer partnerships, where commercial roles have real visibility and impact.

• Competitive base salary, aligned to experience and responsibility
• Company pension scheme with employer contributions
• Life assurance and employee benefits package
• A clear opportunity to own and grow strategic customer accounts
• Exposure to senior stakeholders and decision‑making
• Strong career progression pathways within Commercial and wider business functions
• A collaborative, values‑driven culture focused on ownership, delivery and continuous improvement

If you’re a commercially ambitious leader ready to take ownership of a strategic account and drive meaningful growth, we’d love to hear from you.