Regional Account Manager

Job Title: Regional Account Manager - South West {see website for more info) Location: Home based (living in the South West) and willing to travel within the area up to 4 days per week. Very occasionally you may be expected to travel outside of this area e.g. trade events, but still within the UK. Role Summary: Due to strong sales growth, an exciting opportunity has arisen to join our award-winning speciality food and drink Wholesaler as the newest members of our sales team. This is a key role within a dynamic team of 14, growing our small to mid-size independent retail customers. As a Regional Account Manager, you will be expected to build and develop relationships of existing customers across various sales channels including, Farm Shops, Garden Centres, Food Halls and Delis amongst others in the South-West region. In addition, you will be required to prospect and convert new customers, to deliver overall sales and profitability targets. Key responsibilities (but not limited to): Reporting into the Commercial Director, the role is focused on growing sales of our 4,000+ products within your portfolio of accounts.  Whist there is a very good base of existing business within the area, you will be able to go after new opportunities – ability to ‘hunt’ and ‘farm’ essential. Ensure new and existing business hits company sales and margin expectations. To be able to sell to customers the business and environmental benefits of increased consolidation through Cotswold Fayre  To promote sustainable and B Corp brands to retailers and the benefits of stocking them. Ensure all account records and customer communication (including CRM data) are kept up to date on in-house systems. Ensure all relevant internal/external administrative and reporting requirements are fulfilled in a prompt, accurate manner for both day-to-day work & in response to ad-hoc requests. Work with internal departments and our suppliers to maximise sales & margin and deliver excellent Customer Service Attend trade and industry shows as required by the company to present the Cotswold Fayre offer to new and existing customers to build profitable new business. Analyse internal sales data and trends to present to customers with the objective of realising incremental selling. Attend the weekly conference call and regular sales meetings (remotely & in-person) About You: The successful candidate will have a passion for food and drink, know food retail, in particular the speciality food and drink sector. You are determined to achieve success and will understand the benefit of relationship building, customer service and sales development.  Career History & Background: A proven, demonstrable track record in business development new business sales and within food & drink IT competency with experience of Microsoft Teams, Excel, PowerPoint, Zoom and Outlook is essential as is a high standard of numeracy and literacy. Experience: At least 5 years’ sales experience preferably in in food & drink. A track record of success in securing new business as well as developing existing accounts. A working knowledge of the UK food and drink market. Able to negotiate with larger accounts and sell the benefits of consolidating supply through Cotswold Fayre. Must have a full and preferably clean driving licence. Desirable Personal Qualities and Attributes: Highly motivated, organised, and capable of managing a large and complex territory. Self-starter and hungry for new customers. Rapport building will be second nature, and relationships will be personally important within your working life. Comfort with independent working but also a desire to share learnings & success with others in the team. Resilient, tenacious, and determined to succeed. About Cotswold Fayre Cotswold Fayre is an award-winning speciality and fine food wholesaler, supplying premium ambient and chilled products from the UK’s best producers – and beyond – to retailers nationwide. We’re proud to be recognised as the No.1 SME in the UK by Elite Business (2023), Lloyds Bank Purpose Before Profit Business of the Year (2022), and a Grocer Gold Award winner. Our mission is simple: to inspire, delight, and make a positive difference – to our customers, to our communities, and to the planet – through our shared passion for exceptional food and drink. As a certified B-Corporation , a Living Wage employer , and a carbon-neutral business since 2019 , we’re committed to using business as a force for good. We work closely with our suppliers – many of whom we know personally – to offer retailers a more sustainable way to source products, consolidating deliveries to reduce environmental impact while strengthening the connection between makers and sellers. Our diverse and experienced team brings deep market knowledge and a collaborative approach to everything we do. Together, we deliver solutions that help retailers grow their business while making a positive impact on people and planet. Interested? We offer an attractive package including: Competitive salary Annual bonus Generous benefits package Electric/Hybrid car provided.   We are looking for a person who, like us, believes business should be a force for good and welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and with all levels of ability. Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of what we stand for. We want our people to grow and develop their confidence and responsibilities treating our customers with kindness and care; all within an atmosphere of fun and rewarding hard work.