We’re looking for a hands‑on, driven individual with a passion for food, service, and people. This role would suit someone from a catering, contract catering, or events background—whether that’s a chef, area support manager, or an experienced operator ready to step into a more commercial, client‑facing role. If you’re someone who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, takes pride in delivering great service, and is motivated by making a real difference to customers and teams, this could be the perfect next step for you.
Position Overview
As a Catering Account Manager you’ll strengthen client relationships, support both existing and new business, and bring our “Passion for Service” to life, focusing on driving retention, supporting growth and ensuring our offer remains relevant, engaging and consistently delivered to a high standard. The ideal candidate will be based in or around Northampton, covering a territory spanning Northamptonshire and the M1 corridor across the Midlands and South of England, with 4 days per week in the field, 1 day from home and occasional overnight travel.
Key Responsibilities
* Meet sales targets and grow business with existing customers
* Maintain relationships with customers to ensure continued satisfaction
* Be a genuine partner to your customers
* Launch new customers
* Train staff and improve the dining experience for pupils
* Share expertise in food and nutrition, helping nursery/school manage food budget
* Work on business development opportunities and contribute to a positive team environment
* Work effectively alone and in a team
* Ensure 97% account & value retention on existing accounts
* Mobilise the service excellently, introducing systems, training staff and ensuring they are appropriately skilled
* Support KAMs to develop group opportunities for further business development
* Collaborate with marketing, CS&D, product development, healthcare, LA and WFF on external relationships
* Promote apetito in the Education marketplace through extensive networking
* Manage a portfolio of around 40 customers with focus on budget control, training needs, product presentations and dispute resolution
* Travel to customers across the region and to national events, including overnight stays (≈1 night per week)
Essential Skills & Experience
* Field based account management experience
* Highly organised time‑management skills
* Commercial and analytical acumen
* Ability to identify operational issues quickly and plan effective solutions
* Consultative approach to influence people and outcomes
* Excellent written and verbal communication and confidence in leading meetings
* Adaptable to engage with staff at all levels including C‑suite
* Proven background in training
* Located within 30 miles of Northampton
* Enhanced DBS required
Desirable
* Experience of food/nutritional standards
* Experience in catering industry
* Experience of the education sectorNetworking experience
* Degree qualification
* Food hygiene training
* Nutritional training (Dietician, Nutritionist, SALT, etc.)
Personal Qualities
* Demonstrate gravitas and credibility with senior stakeholders
* Resilient, tenacious and determined – persistent in pursuit of achievement
* Strong influencing, negotiating, listening and communication skills
* Strong teamwork skills across all levels, fostering continuous improvement and excellence in delivery
* Passion for the role and the business you operate
Working Hours & Travel
Flexibility with working hours is required due to the geography of the role and the need to support customers in school and nursery settings. Travel to customers across the region and national events is a regular requirement, including overnight stays (approximately one night per week). A company car is provided and a clean (or virtually clean) driving licence is essential.
Benefits
* Competitive salary – accredited Living Wage employer
* Company car
* 25 days holiday per year, plus bank holidays, with option to purchase up to 5 additional days
* Generous annual bonus scheme
* Pension scheme – employer matched contributions up to 5%
* Life assurance scheme worth 2× annual salary
Equal Opportunity
We embrace inclusion and empower individuals from diverse backgrounds. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone can reach their full potential.
#J-18808-Ljbffr