Senior National Account Manager

Company: Vertical Advantage
Apply for the Senior National Account Manager
Location: Leeds
Job Description:

Overview of the Business

Our client is a leading international FMCG business with a strong presence across the UK grocery market and a portfolio of highly recognised consumer brands. Operating within a fast-paced and category-leading environment, the business is known for its strong customer partnerships, commercial capability and continued investment in both people and innovation.

With a collaborative culture and ambitious growth plans, they are looking to appoint a Senior National Account Manager to lead one of their key strategic grocery accounts.

Overview of the Role

This is a high-profile Senior National Account Manager role with full responsibility for a major UK grocery retailer. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and executing the customer strategy, delivering profitable growth and strengthening long-term customer partnerships.

The role would suit either an experienced FMCG sales professional or an individual transitioning from a retail buying background who can demonstrate strong commercial acumen, relationship management capability and a strategic mindset.

Working cross-functionally across Category, Marketing, Supply Chain and Finance, you will play a key role in shaping customer plans and delivering against ambitious business objectives.

Responsibilities

  • Own and deliver the commercial strategy for a key grocery retail account.
  • Develop and execute Joint Business Plans aligned to customer and internal objectives.
  • Lead annual trading negotiations including pricing, promotional strategy and investment planning.
  • Deliver against sales, profit and market share targets.
  • Build strong relationships across Buying, Category and Supply Chain functions within the customer.
  • Identify and unlock opportunities for growth across core and innovation ranges.
  • Work closely with internal teams to ensure best-in-class execution and customer delivery.
  • Manage forecasting, budgeting and promotional spend to ensure strong commercial control.
  • Translate customer and market insights into actionable business plans.
  • Act as a key internal advocate for the customer, influencing cross-functional stakeholders.

Qualifications

  • Proven experience within FMCG Sales, National Account Management or Retail Buying.
  • Strong understanding of the UK grocery retail environment.
  • Demonstrable commercial acumen and negotiation capability.
  • Experience managing or supporting major grocery retail accounts advantageous.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and identify opportunities.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
  • Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Degree educated or equivalent commercial experience.

Key Competencies:

  • Relationship building and influencing skills
  • Strategic thinking and commercial awareness
  • Strong negotiation capability
  • Results-driven mindset
  • Collaborative and cross-functional approach

This is an excellent opportunity to join a market-leading FMCG business in a highly visible commercial role, offering strong career development and the chance to manage a key strategic retail partnership.

Posted: May 29th, 2026