Senior national account manager

The Business

Our client is one of the UK's leading private-label food manufacturers, supplying many of the nation's most recognisable grocery retailers across a diverse portfolio of chilled and added-value categories.

With significant investment behind the business and a strong pipeline of innovation, they continue to strengthen their position as a trusted retail partner, combining operational excellence with category-leading customer solutions.

Their ambition over the next three years is clear, to accelerate growth through outstanding customer partnerships, continuous innovation, and the relentless pursuit of quality and value. As part of this strategy, they are investing heavily in their commercial capability and building the next generation of leadership talent.

This role represents an exciting opportunity to join a high-performing commercial team and play a leading role in shaping the future growth of one of their most important retail partnerships.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Sales, you will take ownership of a strategically important retail customer within a high-growth business unit. This is far more than a traditional account management role. You will be responsible for developing and executing the customer strategy, driving profitable growth, leading customer negotiations, and ensuring the successful delivery of ambitious commercial objectives.

Working closely with colleagues across Category, Supply Chain, Finance, Operations, Technical and Innovation, you will help shape customer plans that balance short-term delivery with long-term growth opportunities.

You will become a trusted partner to your customer, helping influence category direction, identify new opportunities, and strengthen the business's position as a supplier of choice. This role offers significant exposure to senior leadership and provides an outstanding platform for progression into future Head of Sales, Commercial Controller, or Business Unit Director positions.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and lead the commercial agenda for a strategically important retail customer
• Develop and execute customer growth plans that deliver sales, profit, and market share objectives
• Lead annual negotiations, Joint Business Planning, and customer investment strategies
• Build strong relationships across multiple customer functions including Buying, Category, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders to deliver exceptional customer service and operational excellence
• Identify and unlock opportunities for category expansion, distribution growth, and innovation
• Drive the successful execution of NPD and category initiatives
• Influence internal decision-making through customer insight, commercial analysis, and strategic recommendations
• Support the wider commercial team in delivering business unit objectives and long-term growth plans
• Act as the voice of the customer internally, ensuring alignment across all key functions

Why Apply?

• Manage one of the business's most strategically important retail customers
• Join a high-growth organisation with substantial investment and ambitious long-term plans
• Gain exposure to senior leadership and play a visible role in shaping future commercial strategy
• Work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where ideas and initiative are genuinely valued
• Be part of a business committed to innovation, category leadership, and customer excellence
• Build a genuine platform for future progression into senior commercial leadership roles

Candidate Profile

We are seeking an ambitious and commercially astute National Account professional with a proven track record of delivering results within UK grocery retail.

Experience managing major grocery retailers within FMCG, ideally across chilled, own-label, or added-value categories.

• Strong commercial acumen with experience of pricing, profitability, and customer planning
• Proven ability to develop customer relationships and deliver sustainable growth
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills
• Strong analytical capability and ability to turn insight into action
• Comfortable operating within cross-functional and matrix environments
• Self-motivated, resilient, and capable of thriving in a fast-paced commercial environment
• Ready to take on greater responsibility and accelerate their progression towards senior commercial leadership