Job Specifications
Company
This is a highly successful European food manufacturing group with a strong and growing UK retail presence. Operating multiple state-of-the-art manufacturing sites across Germany, France, and the UK, the business is recognised as a category leader in value-added chilled and frozen foods.
With a long-standing heritage in private label manufacturing, the group partners with many of the UK’s leading grocery retailers to deliver innovative, high-quality, trend-led food solutions. Its product portfolio spans frozen snacking, party food, vegetarian and plant-based ranges, value-added dairy, and pizza, combining culinary expertise with commercial insight to drive sustainable category growth.
The UK operation is a key strategic pillar within the wider European group, supplying major retailers with bespoke, own-label products supported by strong NPD capability, technical excellence, and an agile supply chain. The culture is collaborative, forward-thinking, and entrepreneurial, offering genuine opportunity to influence strategy and shape long-term customer partnerships.
The Role
An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior National Account Manager to take ownership of a portfolio of major UK grocery retail customers.
This is a high-profile, senior commercial role with responsibility for leading customer strategy, driving profitable growth, and strengthening long-term retail partnerships. Working closely with internal NPD, technical, supply chain, and operations teams, you will play a central role in delivering innovation-led private label solutions aligned to retailer category strategies and consumer trends.
The customer base is expected to include leading UK grocers such as Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, and Marks & Spencer, with exact account responsibility shaped around the successful candidate’s experience and strengths.
Reporting into the Head of Retail, this role offers significant autonomy, influence, and visibility within the wider business.
Key Responsibilities
Full commercial ownership of major UK grocery retail accounts
Development and execution of long-term joint business plans
Leading commercial negotiations across pricing, promotions, and range strategy
Ownership of P&L performance, forecasting, and budget delivery
Driving customer-focused innovation through close collaboration with NPD teams
Translating market trends and consumer insight into compelling product opportunities
Building strong, trusted relationships with senior retailer stakeholders
Acting as a key internal voice of the customer across cross-functional teams
What We’re Looking For
Proven experience as a National Account Manager or Senior NAM within UK grocery retail
Strong background in private label chilled and/or frozen foods
Experience managing major grocery multiples
Confident leading commercial negotiations and strategic customer planning
Highly organised, analytical, and commercially astute
Comfortable operating autonomously in a home-based environment
Collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence cross-functionally
Experience within chilled or frozen categories is advantageous, as is exposure to innovation-led, value-added food manufacturing environments.
Benefits
Salary: £65,000
Bonus: 20% of base salary
Car allowance: £450 per month (£5,400 per annum)
Pension: 8% total contribution (employee / employer split)
Holidays: 33 days per annum (including bank holidays)
Location
This is a home-based role, with regular customer engagement and a requirement to attend the South Wales site one day per week.
Contact
For further information or a confidential discussion, please contact
Aidan Goodall
01943 667280
aidan@fmcgselection.co.uk
About the Company
FMCG Selection is a specialist FMCG recruitment consultancy focusing on placing mid to senior level Sales, Marketing and Category professionals within the Food industry. We pride ourselves on offering an open, honest and transparent approach to candidates and clients so that they achieve their recruitment goals. Whether you are a candidate seeking the next step in your career or a business seeking high calibre FMCG professionals, we're here to help. Please contact us on hello@fmcgselection.co.uk or 01943 667 280.
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