Role Summary
The
Senior National Account Manager
is responsible for driving profitable, sustainable growth across a portfolio of Tier-1 UK grocery retailers, including
Tesco
. This role acts as the primary commercial lead, bridging the gap between extensive European manufacturing capabilities and the specific demands of the UK private label market. Success is measured by the delivery of robust
Joint Business Plans (JBPs)
, successful new product launches, and the achievement of volume and margin targets within a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
Work Setup:
Remote (Home-based) |
Employment Type:
Full-time |
Seniority Level:
Mid-Level / Senior
Work Setup & Collaboration
-
Location & Travel:
Home-based with a requirement to visit the South Wales manufacturing site approximately
once per week
and travel regularly for customer meetings.
-
Autonomy:
High level of individual ownership; you will operate as the commercial lead for your accounts with minimal day-to-day supervision.
-
Cross-functional Scope:
Close collaboration with
NPD, Technical, Supply Chain, and Finance
teams across UK and European sites.
-
Process:
Operates within the agile, high-velocity context of a small UK commercial team (1-10 people) backed by a large €250m international group.
What You'll Do
-
Full P&L Ownership:
Manage the total commercial performance, budgets, and promotional spend for a portfolio of leading grocery multiple retailers.
-
Strategic Planning:
Develop and execute multi-year
Joint Business Plans
that align manufacturer capabilities with retailer category goals.
-
Relationship Management:
Build and maintain multi-level relationships with retail buyers, category managers, and supply chain partners.
-
NPD Integration:
Partner with the New Product Development team to translate market trends into commercially viable
private label
propositions.
-
Commercial Negotiations:
Lead complex tenders, annual price reviews, and contract negotiations to protect and grow margins.
-
Performance Monitoring:
Analyze account data and market trends to proactively address risks and capitalize on growth opportunities.
-
Supply Chain Alignment:
Coordinate with operations and logistics to ensure 100% service levels and accurate volume forecasting.
-
Strategic Influence:
Act as the
"Voice of the Customer"
to influence the wider UK retail strategy and manufacturing priorities.
-
Operational Excellence:
Manage administrative requirements including retailer portals, promotional forecasting, and pricing administration.
Success Indicators
-
Revenue Growth:
Achieve year-on-year sales growth targets for assigned grocery accounts.
-
Margin Management:
Maintain or improve
P&L profitability
through effective cost-price-increase (CPI) negotiations and mix management.
-
Listing Gains:
Secure new listings and range extensions during category review cycles.
-
Service Levels:
Maintain high customer satisfaction scores and meet retail-specific supply chain KPIs.
-
Forecast Accuracy:
Deliver monthly volume forecasts with a high degree of precision to optimize manufacturing schedules.
Required Qualifications
-
Experience:
5+ years of National Account Management experience within the
FMCG food industry
.
-
Retailer Knowledge:
Proven track record of managing at least one
"Big 4" UK grocery retailer
(Tesco experience is highly preferred).
-
Domain Expertise:
Significant experience working with
private label / retailer own-brand
products.
-
Financial Acumen:
Strong P&L literacy, including the ability to manage trade spend and calculate complex margins.
-
Negotiation Skills:
Demonstrated ability to lead high-stakes tenders and annual commercial negotiations.
-
Communication:
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for effective
async collaboration
and stakeholder management.
-
Self-Management:
Proven ability to remain productive and disciplined in a
fully remote/home-based
environment.
Nice to Have
Experience within
chilled, frozen, snacking, or convenience
food categories.
Existing relationships with buyers in the discount, wholesale, or foodservice channels.
Familiarity with European manufacturing processes and multi-site coordination.
Proximity to
South Wales
for easier access to the primary manufacturing facility.
About the Team/Environment
The UK commercial team operates with the
speed and entrepreneurial spirit
of a small business, despite being part of a major European food group. The environment is high-velocity and results-oriented, valuing proactive problem-solvers who can navigate complex manufacturing landscapes. Quality standards are rigorous, reflecting the company’s position as a trusted partner for premium private label products.