The Key Account Manager will be responsible for building, managing, and developing strategic relationships with key accounts. This is an individual contributor role suited to a proactive, results-driven professional with a strong understanding of the UK market and excellent negotiation skills. The successful candidate will align account strategies with overall business objectives, focusing on strengthening and growing existing client relationships while also driving new business opportunities through the identification, development, and execution of effective strategies.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Account Management
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with key accounts to drive sales growth and brand loyalty.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for accounts, ensuring exceptional service and support.
- Ensure that commercial business plans are up to date, leveraging all relevant data and insights. If the plans are off track, generate solutions to drive profitable growth.
2. Strategic Planning
- Create and execute account plans that align with overall business objectives and sales targets.
- Identify growth opportunities within existing accounts and develop strategies to capitalise on them.
3. Sales Execution
- Negotiate joint business plans, pricing, and promotional agreements to maximise profitability and market share.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the successful execution of account plans.
4. Market Analysis
- Monitor market trends and competitor activities to inform account strategies.
- Provide insights to senior management on market dynamics and customer needs.
5. Performance Tracking
- Track account performance metrics and prepare regular reports on sales results and forecasts.
- Utilise data to refine strategies and improve overall account performance.
6. Collaboration
- Work closely with marketing, product development, and supply chain teams to ensure alignment and support for account initiatives.
- Participate in product launches and promotional campaigns to drive account engagement.
7. Customer Advocacy
- Act as a champion for customer needs within the organisation, advocating for solutions that enhance their experience.
- Gather and communicate customer feedback to inform product development and marketing strategies.
Expertise & Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Business
- 3+ years' of Sales experience in an FMCG brand or large grocery environment
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
- Strong commercial acumen with proven negotiation, planning, and relationship-building skills, combined with an action-oriented, self-starter mindset and a strong drive for results, always acting as the voice of the customer within the business.