Key Account Manager (Hybrid)

  • Mason James Appointments (UK) Ltd
  • Ashford, Kent
  • Oct 13, 2025
Full time Marketing

Job Description

Key Account Manager

Location: Hybrid (Minimum 2 days per week at our site in Kent)
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am 5:00pm (40 hours/week)
Salary: £40,000 £45,000 (DOE) + Company Car

We are working in partnership with a highly respected and rapidly growing FMCG business to recruit a Key Account Manager to join their commercial team on a 12-month maternity cover basis. This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially driven individual with a passion for managing key accounts, delivering growth, and supporting new product development in a fast-paced environment.

About the Role

Reporting to the Head of Sales/NAM, the Key Account Manager will:

  • Manage and grow existing customer accounts across retail and/or food service

  • Build and maintain strong relationships with new and existing clients

  • Identify commercial opportunities and drive new product development (NPD) and existing product development (EPD) projects

  • Lead customer planning, forecasting, and margin management

  • Represent the brand with professionalism, market insight, and a solution-driven approach

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and deliver customer plans aligned with company strategy and growth targets

  • Protect and grow revenue, profit, and margin through effective negotiation and account management

  • Agree trading terms and payment conditions with customers

  • Collaborate with internal departments to ensure efficient service delivery

  • Regularly visit customer sites to strengthen relationships and ensure alignment with commercial plans

  • Identify growth opportunities through data and gap analysis, working alongside marketing to implement tailored strategies

  • Lead and manage projects, ensuring clear communication, structured planning, and timely delivery

  • Provide accurate forecasting and demand planning for all managed SKUs

  • Maintain comprehensive records of customer activities, account developments, and project timelines

  • Stay informed on market trends, consumer behaviour, and competitor activity

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Knowledge:

  • FMCG knowledge and experience with major UK customers

  • Understanding of consumer and market trends

Qualifications:

  • Degree educated

  • Minimum 3 years commercial experience

Skills:

  • Strong relationship builder and communicator

  • Target-driven with a results-oriented mindset

  • Confident in delivering compelling presentations

  • Self-motivated, proactive, and commercially aware

Experience:

  • Experience managing accounts in Retail and/or Food Service (3+ years desirable)

  • Experience in chilled, short shelf-life food or drink is highly desirable

Other Requirements:

  • Full understanding of customer service standards and quality implications

  • Full UK driving licence (due to national travel and car provision)

Why Join?

  • Join a supportive, collaborative team in a business with strong values and exciting growth plans

  • Be part of a company delivering well-known FMCG products with a focus on quality and innovation

  • Enjoy a varied role with national exposure and a mix of strategic account management and hands-on project delivery

For more information or to register your interest in this role, please apply!