National Account Manager

We have the exciting opportunity to join our fast-paced and quickly expanding company as a National Account Manager.

This role can be based either in New Covent Garden, London or Bicester, Oxfordshire however travel to both offices will be required.

Our reach extends to the finest restaurants, pubs and hotels across the UK, enabling the creation of menus and recipes that cater to even the most demanding of tastes. Furthermore, we supply our exceptional offerings to the most prestigious department stores and gourmet food outlets.

Dedication runs deep within our Sales team, as they are committed to developing customer relationships and ensuring the highest quality service. This commitment is evident in both the representation of our brands and the delivery of high-quality service to our customers.

The Role of a National Account Manager:

At the core of this position lies a focus on providing amazing service and effective account management. A confident communicator with a pro-active nature. As the National Account Manager, your foremost responsibility will be to ensure that customers receive the expected high level of service while seizing opportunities to ensure clients are using the menu partners for consolidation.

You will be in charge of managing an existing customer portfolio consisting of national premium restaurant groups. To excel in this role, a resilient and problem-solving nature is vital, creating joint Business Plans, while also delivering budget and forecast reports.

Role Requirements:

The successful candidate for this position will have a proven track record in developing sales and cultivating strong customer relationships within a food service account management role. It is essential that they have had exposure to food service end User customers, including national contract caterers, hotel & restaurant groups, with a genuine passion for premium food products. Preferably with a background in a large wholesaler, and possess a solid understanding of multi-temperature and multi-site distribution.

Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills are a must, as the role demands building both internal and customer relationships. The candidate should demonstrate strong organizational skills and a collaborative team-player attitude, driven by the motivation and enthusiasm to achieve sales and contribute to the ongoing success of The Menu Partners.

Key summary of Activities & Responsibilities for the National Account Manager:

• Overall management responsibility for the National, Regional and Local sales in The Menu Partners business
• To take responsibility for individual portfolio of company accounts both directly and via a team of account managers ensuring that company profitability, customer requirements and individual growth targets are met.
• Lead, inspire and mentor the account team on national and local accounts, working with both new and existing clients, and providing line management support as required.
• Working with your team identify and deliver individual development plans
• Implement, monitor, report & forecast on account performance against sales budget and cash margin in order to maximise future performance
• Ensure that accurate sales and margin forecasts are provided to the commercial finance team on a regular basis or as requested
• Responsible for the achievement of individual and team's customer account plans which identifies key activities and priorities in line with the company strategic objectives. This will also include regularly weekly/monthly team and departmental meetings
• Manage all internal KPI requirements ensuring that actions are completed and followed up from all areas of the sales team in regard to maximising commercial performance and client satisfaction
• Produce annual strategic channel and client specific plans in alignment with the overall commercial strategy - with clear objectives, goals, strategy and measures
• Secure buy in from senior management and the wider teams, including marketing and finance, to the strategy translating into specific account plans that maximise the opportunities and minimise risks
• Lead Strategic Account Planning Process & Annual Commercial Planning Cycle
• Develop and maintain client account plan to e
• Maximise profitability. Annually review plans as part of the budgeting process for the following year
• Achievement of both departmental and personal targets
• Maintain a high level of customer service, ensuring customer satisfaction and retention. Through building strong relationships across all areas of client's business
• Personally, manage client relationships at the highest level, whilst encouraging and developing working relationships across the team and other departments of the businesses
• Work with other departments as required to ensure that budgeted sales targets, account profitability, customer satisfaction and retention are achieved across portfolio
• Manage and take ownership of all client's tender processes from start to finish, ensuring that the business is presented and positioned correctly in line with the requirements of the tender
• Offset risk of open market tenders through negotiating and agreeing contractual terms 6-9 months prior to current contract expiry. Where The Menu Partners do not have supply contracts in place introduce plans to implement terms of agreement
• Identify, understand, and communicate both the customer needs and development aspiration. Work with the required TMP function to meet those needs and aspirations. To include all new menu creation, planning and implementation including positive commercials. The above should also cover new listings, product codes, lead times and the timely management of product changes
• To work in a team-based environment where all managers work together for the good of the business
• Via both formal and informal meetings ensure that the key departments and all other relevant management team members are kept updated on any opportunities or threats that could impact the business
• Through the department provide ongoing intelligence/data/information that can be used by other departments in order to make more informed decisions
• Fully utilise the NPD function of the business to ensure that all opportunities within current customer base are maximised to drive account value and profitability
• Develop and implement individual account NPD strategy which supports the business and account plan requirements
• Adhere to all The Menu Partners policies and regulations
• Ensure that business continuity and recovery requirements are identified and planned accordingly
• Additional specific projects or activities as directed by either TMP or partner businesses

Key Attributes:

• Essential to have a strong background in senior sales role across multi site 24/7 FMCG businesses, ideally fresh food
• Motivated and self-driven to achieve
• Commercial acumen, ability to work within P&L and cost control
• Budget control and ownership
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills
• Great leader, presenter, and figurehead for a vibrant and fast-moving team
• Strong personality, ability to take ownership, make the big calls and ensure that they deliver the required results
• Time management
• Strategic thinker who is able to visualise opportunities and implement processes to deliver benefits
• Team player
• Ability to think outside the box and drive innovation
• Open minded and able to embrace and influence change
• Able to work under pressure in a competitive marketplace and gain market advantage
• Ethical and honest
• A "can do and will do" attitude and able to deliver results