Retail Account Director

Our client is an expanding UK business which currently turns over £1.6 Bn. To enable them to get to the next level,they are looking for an experienced retail Account Director with the following responsibilities:

The Account Director will own the P&L responsibility for a group of major accounts within the wider division’s portfolio. The individual will be responsible for creating, budgeting and driving a long-term successful account growth plan that is aligned to the company strategy.

As an Account Director, you will demonstrate effective communication with all relevant departments within the business to ensure that they deliver the best possible customer proposition and long term vision is an essential part of the role.

The role is office based with an expectation that the individual would spend each Monday and Tuesday within the reading office aligning themselves and their direct reports to the wider team strategy with the remainder of the week spent visiting an account & vendor base and at home (where required).

The role offers a competitive basic salary plus a bonus, paid quarterly in arrears against set targets, a car allowance, pension, eye care and access to a number of salary sacrifice schemes.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibility for the P&L of your designated account base including (but not limited to) the ownership of relationship, sales turnover, gross profit, customer rebate, stock, its aging profile and returns.
The account director will be responsible for creating, budgeting and driving a long-term account strategy and vision and the deployment of the plan to both internal and external stakeholders.
The strategy will be aligned to company, retailer and vendor goals and objectives, be clearly defined and communicated to each relevant party.
Customer joint business plans, growth and rebate schemes will be devised, articulated and executed upon in order to drive each account strategy.
Work proactively with the Retail Sales Director and appropriate vendor and retailer personnel to optimise all opportunities within the designated accounts.
Manage an existing product portfolio within nominated accounts and be able to create and drive a new business plan and agenda
Have an extensive knowledge, understanding of and relationship with all key internal departments, e.g. finance, operations, returns.
Be able to organise and present account plans and their tracking to budget on a regular basis up to board level both internally and externally to maintain and ensure the right level of exposure and buy in from all relevant parties.
The ability to clearly and accurately track and report account performance that can be summarised and well-articulated to the required audience.
Take responsibility for and manage in conjunction with relevant colleagues the efficient operation of all aspects of the respective retailer accounts.
Identifying new opportunities and opening dialogue with new accounts / vendors in order to maximise the profitability of the account portfolio.
Manage and oversee efficiently and effectively the retailer’s forecasting and ordering process to ensure that all relevant colleagues are involved as necessary in regard to respective account intake and sell through plans.
Creating, taking to market and the monitoring & control of retailer promotional activity and range planning.
Through regular customer visits communicating with retailer personnel as required to fully understand and document relevant information that facilitates on-going business development and enhancement of relevant relationships setting clear objectives along the way.
Monitor revenue and margin performance of accounts against forecasts and take relevant action to ensure overachievement against targets.
Regular team strategy reviews ensuring that all members have the knowledge, training, skills and set objectives required to deliver each account plan. Both good and under performance should be recognised, managed and addressed on a regular basis.
Key Skills

Strong communication and interpersonal skills at all levels.
A strong negotiator and creative thinker.
Be able to establish and maintain strong business relationships.

Proved track record of high level channel understanding and engagement (Distribution, retailer and manufacturer).
Excellent attention to detail.
Ability to manage direct and indirect reporting lines.
Ability to work well under pressure.
Commercial and operational awareness is essential.
Well organised.
A great knowledge of supply chain/logistics.
Strong IT skills particularly Excel, Outlook and Powerpoint.
Strong and disciplined attitude to work with the willingness and drive for career progression
Previous experience in selling to and managing FMCG retailer relationships is a must and preferably IT and consumer electronics products.
The candidate

The successful candidate will have a background in sales and account management and be able to work to key deadlines against set objectives. A background in IT and consumer electronics sales is preferred but not essential.

The role provides an excellent and exciting opportunity for an individual to establish a career with one of the country’s largest and fastest growing companies.

Apply today!