Key Account Manager

Zeelandia UK Ltd; Wigan; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading supplier of bakery ingredients is looking for a Key Account Manager to drive revenue growth and manage strategic accounts. The successful candidate will develop account plans, ensure CRM compliance, and collaborate with various teams to enhance customer experiences. This role requires proven B2B sales experience in the food manufacturing sector, and strong skills in negotiation and data analysis. The position is based in Wigan, UK.

Qualifications

• Experience in FMCG or food manufacturing sector, especially with supply chain environments.
• Proven experience in B2B sales within the bakery ingredients sector.
• Strong technical understanding of bakery processes and ingredient functionality.

Responsibilities

• Deliver annual sales plan for assigned key accounts.
• Own account management process; ensure CRM data accuracy.
• Develop and execute strategic account plans.
• Contribute to DEI, sustainability, and wellbeing initiatives.
• Monitor market trends and competitor activity.

Skills

Strategic account planning and relationship management

Negotiation and influencing skills with senior stakeholders

Data analysis and forecasting (Excel, BI tools)

Problem-solving and solution selling in a technical environment

Clear written and verbal communication

Proficient in CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce)

Food safety standards (e.g., BRC, HACCP)

Commercial acumen in managing pricing structures

Project management credentials (e.g., PRINCE2, Six Sigma)

Education

Professional certifications in Key Account Management or Sales Leadership

Tools

Salesforce

MS Office Suite

Job description

Zeelandia UK, part of the Royal Zeelandia Group, are a leading supplier of high-quality bakery ingredients, serving both Industrial and Craft bakeries across the UK. With a strong heritage in the food ingredients sector and a reputation for innovation, service and collaboration, we partner with our customers to develop ingredient solutions that drive profitable growth.

We are now looking to recruit a Key Account Manager into our team, to support delivery of the next stage of our strategy.

Job requirements

• Deliver annual sales plan for assigned key accounts to achieve revenue growth of X% by year-end; maintain KPI ≥ target margin.
• Own account management process; ensure CRM data accuracy and compliance at 100% for all interactions.
• Partner with cross-functional teams (NPD, Customer Services, HR, Marketing, Operations, Finance) to remove blockers and deliver seamless customer experience.
• Develop and execute strategic account plans to secure long-term partnerships, including weekly onsite meetings with current and potential customers.
• Continuously improve sales workflows; document SOPs and implement measurable efficiency gains.
• Manage compliance & risk for all account activities (GDPR, contractual obligations, pricing governance).
• Report progress via dashboards and monthly reviews; escalate risks or delays promptly to leadership.
• Contribute to DEI, sustainability, and wellbeing initiatives relevant to client engagement and company values.
• Attend and actively contribute to required meetings, including pipeline reviews, client strategy sessions, and quarterly business reviews.
• Monitor market trends and competitor activity; provide insights to inform pricing and product positioning.
• Drive customer satisfaction and retention by resolving issues quickly and maintaining proactive communication.
• Experience in FMCG or food manufacturing sector, especially with experience of bread, multi-site or complex supply chain environments.
• Professional certifications such as Key Account Management, Negotiation Skills, or Sales Leadership or equivalent experience
• Proven experience in B2B sales within the food manufacturing or bakery ingredients sector, managing large or strategic accounts.
• Strong technical understanding of bakery processes and ingredient functionality

Skills

• Strategic account planning and relationship management
• Negotiation and influencing skills with senior stakeholders
• Data analysis and forecasting (Excel, BI tools)
• Problem-solving and solution selling in a technical environment
• Communication: Clear written and verbal communication; ability to present technical solutions to non-technical audiences.
• Digital/Systems: Proficient in CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), MS Office Suite; intermediate Excel for data analysis.
• Compliance Awareness: Food safety standards (e.g., BRC, HACCP), GDPR, and contractual compliance relevant to client management.
• Commercial Acumen: Ability to manage pricing structures, margin targets, and profitability for key accounts.
• Project management or process improvement credentials (e.g., PRINCE2, Six Sigma)