National Account Manager - Retail
Location: Lincolnshire
Salary: >£45,000 + benefits
Industry: FMCG
Role Type: Full-time, Permanent
Are you a commercially driven Account Manager with a passion for retail, product, and building exceptional customer relationships? This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of a major grocery retail account within a fast‑paced and innovative UK business supplying high-quality products.
We are seeking an ambitious, relationship‑led Account Manager to lead and grow a high‑profile national retail account across both in‑store and online channels. You will be joining a collaborative commercial team and play a key role in delivering category growth, range development, and best‑in‑class customer experience.
The Opportunity
In this role, you'll be responsible for managing a major UK retailer across a number of areas, shaping category plans, influencing ranging decisions, and ensuring a smooth end‑to‑end process from concept to delivery. You'll work closely with colleagues in insights, merchandising, supply chain, technical and product development to maximise opportunities and support a strong customer partnership.
This is a great role for a commercially minded candidate who thrives on pace, variety and cross‑functional collaboration.
Key Responsibilities
* Build and maintain a strong working relationship with your retail customer, fully understanding their strategy, category plans and processes.
* Support in developing an annual account plan with clear commercial objectives.
* Conduct regular business and category reviews, identifying opportunities for growth, improvement and future success.
* Review product and range performance, initiating improvement programmes where required.
* Prepare product development briefs and manage range changes and NPD to meet customer requirements and internal financial targets.
* Monitor competitor activity and provide updates and insight internally and to the customer.
* Manage weekly forecasting, ensuring accuracy to maintain service levels and meet customer KPIs.
* Agree promotional and activity plans with the customer and support delivery in line with the commercial plan.
* Support commercial negotiations including specifications, price, distribution, and volume.
* Ensure efficient sales administration and accurate reporting.
* Communicate outcomes of customer meetings across internal teams including Technical, Procurement, Production and Operations.
* Recommend and support value chain improvements, cost‑saving initiatives and efficiency programmes.
* Provide monthly trading reports highlighting performance vs plan, upcoming opportunities and risks.
* Lead or support specific commercial projects and new business opportunities.
About You
* Ideally degree‑educated or equivalent experience.
* Experience working with major UK retailers (e.g., grocery or multipliers), preferably within FMCG, horticulture, food, gifting or related consumer goods.
* Strong account management and relationship‑building skills with the confidence to influence at all levels.
* Commercially astute with the ability to analyse market, sales and performance data.
* Highly organised, proactive and able to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
* Strong communication and presentation skills.
* Intermediate/advanced IT skills, especially Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
* A collaborative team player with a flexible, positive approach.
* Some people‑management experience is beneficial but not essential.
What You'll Get
* The chance to work with a high‑profile UK retailer and own a key commercial relationship.
* A supportive, team‑focused culture with strong values around collaboration, trust, resilience and sustainability.
* Opportunities for long‑term growth, development and broader commercial exposure.
* The ability to influence category direction and contribute to the success of an innovative and forward‑thinking business.
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