Retail Trade Account Manager - Food Manufacturing

Home Base - South

A rapidly expanding Food Manufacturer is currently recruiting for a Retail Trade Account Manager to join their team. This role will assume responsibility for a client portfolio for independent retailers i.e. Selfridges, farm shops, where you will need to maintain and develop these accounts with a small amount of new business. The value of these accounts could be £10,000 or £1M in revenue.

You will need to have proven experience managing a food product categories within independent retailers i.e. Selfridges, Farm Shops. Brand experience desirable.

The majority of this client portfolio focus will sit in the southern half of the country so a home base between Birmingham, London, Bristol will be advantageous.

Reporting into the Trade National Account Manager and working closely with the UK sales team to develop, establish and implement a comprehensive sales plan designed to maximise product exposure and sales growth whilst upholding the brand image.

Retail Trade Account Manager responsibilities include:

• Build and maintain excellent working relationships with our current trade customers
• and give them the support to build the product brand and product range.
• Work towards a journey plan to ensure effective UK coverage.
• Establish detailed plans with key customers that demonstrate delivery of annual sales targets and ensure their achievement.
• Undertake product audits and provide detail for our marketing department for development, gap analysis, competitor activity, trade promotional activity.
• Identify new business opportunities both with existing customers and potential new customers that will positively contribute to the business plan. Recommend actions and deliver.
• Be alert to all changes and developments (e.g. competitor activity) that may influence the progress of our sales plan and recommend actions to counteract them.
• Attendance of UK trade shows.
• Co-ordinate, develop and execute individual customer tasting days.
• Communicate regularly and as required with the National Account Manager
• Be the champion of the company brand with all customers and target audiences.

You will be a Sales Account Manager / Key Account Manager used to managing multiple independent retail Trade food accounts like Selfridges, wholefoods, Farm shops.

You will be a Self-starter and motivator enthusiastic and able to gain the support of customer and company personnel. You will be socially confident and comfortable working across independent trade channels and able to travel extensively throughout the UK (predominantly South UK) and be prepared to be away from home.

You will need a Full UK driving licence.