Senior Key Account Manager

Our client is a leading supplier of branded and own label paper-based stationery and printer paper into the retail, office products and education markets. Working in partnership with major UK based retailers, supermarkets, wholesalers and education authorities for 20 years and have built up a very strong reputation in the industry as being knowledgeable, reliable, agile, and trustworthy. In more recent years, we have diversified our portfolio to offer a number of other non-food categories and this will be a big focus area for them….

The service they provide to their customers has led to a period of sustained growth over the last 5 years and it's central to their long-term success that they continue to provide the high level of service they have become known for. Having secured their position with the grocers as a credible, reliable and proactive supplier, they have successfully diversified into new areas such as disposable tableware and more recently household foil where we believe the market is missing a supplier partner who can add value by aiding the management of both instore and DC availability, supply chain expertise, promotional execution and first to market innovations.

Consequently, due to this expansion, they are looking for an ambitious, hardworking, and passionate senior key account manager to join the team to help manage the requirements of our existing customers and work on some of the new business opportunities they have. This is a very exciting opportunity to join a privately owned, growing business where there are real opportunities for progression and to be a part of a successful, like-minded team who are invested in, and working towards the ambitious growth plans that have been set.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

• Managing existing portfolio of UK high street and grocery customers
• Alongside the sales director, responsible for managing each customer's individual P&L and terms negotiations
• Responsible for regular range reviews to provide data driven feedback and range recommendations
• Working collaboratively with all departments within the company to ensure that key critical path deadlines are met and range launches successfully executed
• Play an active role in product development to help customers meet commercial or environmental targets
• Work closely with both the company and our customer's supply chain teams to ensure that forecasts are accurately managed, and instore availability is controlled carefully in line with the service agreements that we have in place
• Understanding of the full product lifecycle, from product development, range implementation to instore launches and promotional execution
• Applying a common sense, customer centric approach to problem solving that meets the demands and needs of our challenging customer base
• Identify and successfully develop new business with new customer and our existing customer base

The successful candidate must have experience in the following areas:

• Key account management - having worked with UK grocers & retailers being essential
• Importing into the UK - an understanding of the process
• Product launch into UK retail market - 'cradle to grave' process
• P&L knowledge and management
• Ideally would have had experience working with manufacturers

The ideal candidate would have the following qualities:

• Highly motivated and hardworking - is motivated by targets and success as an individual and for the company
• Good time management - works with a sense of urgency and commitment
• Service-oriented - is prepared to go the extra mile for customers and the business
• Excellent communicator - is able to articulate effectively face to face and over email
• Challenger mindset - being confident enough to make decisions and stay determined despite setbacks
• Proactive not reactive - is able to look ahead and understand what's required to turn an opportunity into a sale
• Problem solver - has a positive attitude towards problem and is able to apply common sense and logic to achieve solutions
• Detail oriented - has a keen eye for detail and can provide accurate information

Reporting into

• Sales Director

Salary /Package - competitive salary, company car and performance-based bonus

Full time role, office based in Meriden, West Midlands.