National Account Manager

National Account Manager – Living Proof

Business Context

In 2005, an unlikely combination of biotech scientists and renowned hair stylists came together to pioneer a first-of-its-kind hair care philosophy based in science. Our mission was to create inventive solutions designed to solve real-world hair problems. 20 years later Living Proof continues to pride itself on our commitment to rigorous testing, which is unparalleled within the haircare industry, to deliver trusted formulas that deliver optimal hair health.

The Role Description: National Account Manager

We have an exciting opportunity to hire an ambitious, passionate, and driven National Account Manager for Living Proof. 

In this role you will be responsible for managing a key retailer: driving sales performance, growing market share and developing enriched retailer relationships at senior levels. You will be responsible for creating and delivering 3-year business plans, leading & executing our brand strategy with retail partners & managing sales targets within agreed budgets. In this role you will report into the Senior National Account Manager of Living Proof

Each day at Living Proof is different with new challenges to solve and tasks to tackle, but here is an idea of some of the things you will work on:

COMMERCIAL LEADERSHIP

• Build 3 year brand commercial and budget plans & develop GTM strategy to achieve brand sales ambitions and goals
• Establish, nurture and maintain amazing and collaborative relationships with key accounts to deliver 360 marketing plans to launch innovation/brand campaigns
• Creates & agrees winning JBP with clear KPIs and regularly monitors performance and course corrects where necessary
• Incredible negotiator, liaising with key stake stakeholders to optimize brand performance
• Leads plan to achieve brand sales and profitability goals while monitoring stock levels with retailers
• Fully accountable on net sales forecasting for the retailers, meeting all financial deadlines and budget submissions, flagging risks and opportunities in a timely and quantified manner.
• Passionate leader adept at coaching junior team members within the team and brand.

RETAIL PARTNERSHIPS 

• Ensure flawless execution of brand vision and campaign partnership with retailer partners across all touchpoints of web, app, mobile, social
• Analyse market trends, consumer behaviour, and competitor activities
• Robust planning to ensure delivery of sell-in and sell-out goals
• Lead and manage retailer partnership activations. Work closely with Marketing, Visual Merchandising and PR, and Field Sales to create and deliver an annual plan for each retailer covering: activation of key launches and marketing moments, eventing, retailer animation, considering both customer acquisition and retention.
• Manage each account P&L, balancing investment with top-line opportunity; to measure and deliver ROI

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

• Build strong working relationships with store and field teams, utilising insight from the field and translating learnings into commercial growth.
• Drive product and brand excellence in all environments (online + bricks)
• Collaborate with internal teams including sales, marketing, and product development to ensure alignment with account-specific needs and strategies.
• Work with planning to align accurate forecasting for NPD and core lines, and proactive inventory and assortment management.
• Analytical ability – to forward plan and provide insights to assist in future growth, opportunities and business development
• Review implementation and performance vs expectations on a regular basis.
• Prepare regular internal and external reports and presentations to communicate key metrics, trends, and insights.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Min 5+ years relevant experience in National Account role, preferably within prestige beauty industry, focused on skincare
• Previous experience with retailers
• A natural storyteller with enhanced persuasive selling skills & an adept negotiator with proven examples of success
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and confidant presenter
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make strategic recommendations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; PowerPoint and Word, with advanced Excel skills
• Innovator with the ability to work independently and handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to network and influence senior stakeholders and clearly communicate recommendations concisely & persuasively
• Should have an energetic, positive, and service-oriented personality and be skilled at relationship-building.
• Must be focused, show excellent attention to detail, and demonstrate an entrepreneurial approach to their work.
• Winning Behaviours: Care Deeply, Consumer Experience, Problem Solving

As an equal opportunities' employer, Unilever Prestige Hub Brands: REN/Murad/Kate Somerville/Living Proof/Tatcha is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees regardless of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse workforce because, in our view, diversity enables better business outcomes. We also believe that a more inclusive workplace, where people of different backgrounds work together, ensures better outcomes for all staff. From application to interview, we place inclusion at the heart of all we do. In particular, we strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Unilever Prestige Hub Brands/REN/Tatcha/Murad/Kate Somerville/Living Proof.