FMCG

Waitrose National Account Manager
31st December 2024 by

To create long-term, trusting relationships with our customers. The Business Account Manager’s role is to oversee a portfolio of assigned customers, develop new business from existing clients and actively seek new sales opportunities.

1. Role Key Accountabilities

· Serve as the lead point of contact for all customer account management matters

· Build and maintain strong, long-lasting customer relationships

· Negotiate contracts and close agreements to maximize profits

· Develop trusted advisor relationships with key accounts, customer stakeholders and executive sponsors

· Ensure the timely and successful delivery of our solutions according to customer needs and objectives

· Clearly communicate the progress of monthly/quarterly initiatives to internal and external stakeholders

· Develop new business with existing clients and/or identify areas of improvement to meet sales quotas

· Forecast and track key account metrics (e.g. quarterly sales results and annual forecasts)

· Prepare reports on account status

· Collaborate with sales team to identify and grow opportunities

· Assist with challenging client requests or issue escalations as needed

2. Knowledge, Skills and Experience

· Proven work experience as an Account Manager, Key Account Manager, Sales Account Manager, Junior Account Manager or relevant role

· Demonstrable ability to communicate, present and influence key stakeholders at all levels of an organization, including executive and Board level

· Solid experience with MS Office (particularly MS Excel)

· Experience delivering client-focused solutions to customer needs

· Proven ability to juggle multiple account management projects at a time, while maintaining sharp attention to detail

· Excellent listening, negotiation and presentation abilities

· Strong verbal and written communication skills

· BA/BS degree in Business Administration, Sales or relevant field

The ideal candidate needs to be geogrphically mobile to sites and customer

Senior Commercial Manager
31st December 2024 by

Day to day management of key customer relationships within Grocery customers and Discounters

Responsible for taking the lead on customer facing initiatives and projects.

Ensuring that growth is achieved through mutual profitable trading and within budgeted costs

Ensuring efficient management of the product range by utilising all aspects of the category management process

Monitoring sales performance to budget & forecast

Person Specification

Degree Educated preferably in a business management related discipline

At least 5 years’ experience in a Commercial or sales role within the food industry

Good multiple retailer exposure gained within a chilled FMCG environment.

Sound understanding of the sales cycle within the chilled food industry, with the appropriate knowledge to instil confidence in your ability to meet the customers’ needs

Excellent knowledge of sales, cash and percentage margins, and how to effectively cost new products

Working understanding of internal retailer dynamics, including the ability to drive results in a dual supply situation

Have excellent communication skills and be a natural influencer

The ability to create a persuasive business case

Strategy – the ability to build and execute a plan for growth.

Have a flair for building & maintaining relationships at all levels, both internally & externally

Can prioritise and proactively manage multiple tasks whilst working to tight deadlines

Able to work on own initiative or be part of a team, and demonstrate hunger, drive and tenacity

Excellent computer skills, including word, excel and powerpoint.

Be highly articulate and numerate with a strong analytical focus

Experience of managing and motivating people.

Full driving Licence required

Ability to work flexibly

Travel to and from customer premises on a regular basis required. Average 1-2 visits per week

We are looking for a real ‘ foodie’ who can help drive an innovation agenda with the category and NPD teams

Category Marketing Manager
31st December 2024 by

As our Category Manager, you will be required to work as an integral part of the Commercial team which will involve; day to day management of your key retailer accounts maximising our existing position in a competitive category and developing areas for growth. Reporting directly to the Category Controller you will be the voice for your customers.

Develop and maintain expertise on customer and category performance and act as key advisor in day to day activities and project based initiatives

The role will work on a fast paced highly innovative food category and manage a major retailer.

We are looking for someone who has major retailer experience in their background and is looking to develop themselves further.

Lead the development of promotional strategy, including evaluation of, commercial and retailer needs

Build close working relationships with sales, marketing and planning disciplines of the business and use influence to ensure:

category thinking is central to business planning process, new projects, ventures and processes
customer needs/nuances are reflected in proposed solutions

Jointly agree Category Business Plans with UK customers to drive growth in their business.

Continually review market performance and recommend actions to improve performance.

Drive the development of range, pricing, promotions and merchandising recommendations with each account to maximise sales and profit opportunities for the business and the retailer.

Undertake range reviews, category projects and store trials; analysing key data and devising appropriate recommendations.

Develop strong customer relationships through both formal business review meetings and informal contact and discussion

Competitor Threat Evaluation – monitor competitor developments within the UK and European marketplace. Identify strategically important competitors and evaluate the potential threat that they pose.

Provide monthly external insights, trends and new category news.

Through utilisation of all category management tools and techniques, develop, evaluate and be responsible for maintaining a live UK category growth strategy to provide the framework upon which individual tailored plans will be based