Job description
We are excited to be recruiting an Account Manager to join a fantastic client and a great team. This is a brilliant opportunity for someone who has a few years experience in Sales / Business Development / Telesales within the Food Industry, and is looking to progress their career in Field Sales. You will also enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, and is passionate about delivering value to customers.
What really makes this company special is their genuine commitment to their people. They don’t just talk about wellbeing, They live it. Their holistic approach is underpinned by a wide range of supportive policies covering areas such as mental health, cancer support, miscarriage, menopause, carers, domestic violence, fostering and volunteering, ensuring their colleagues feel supported through every stage of life.
The values sit at the core of everything they do. They believe in acting with integrity and respect, taking ownership, and going above and beyond for each other and their customers. They encourage innovation that has purpose, support those who champion positive change, and are driven by a genuine passion for success, balancing high standards with a supportive, inclusive approach. If these values resonate with you, you’ll feel right at home at this company.
Alongside this, they offer a strong wellbeing and engagement culture, including onsite Mental Health First Aiders, regular speaker sessions and coffee mornings, annual NHS health checks, flu jab vouchers, and eye care support. Their Employee Assistance Programme provides free counselling, resources, and access to a dedicated menopause coach, complemented by their Grocery Aid partnership, offering additional emotional, practical, and financial support for you and your family.
They are also passionate about helping their people grow, with access to internal and external training, and mentorship. Their inclusive culture is supported through active working groups, including DEI and employee involvement forums, as well as initiatives such as supporting neurodivergent-friendly spaces, quiet hours, and a multi-faith room.
Beyond the day job, they bring people together through company events, recognition schemes like Core Values and Long Service Awards, and meaningful CSR initiatives, to supporting local communities, schools, and charities. With additional benefits such as cycle to work and EV schemes, this is a role where you’ll not only build your career but feel part of something bigger.
If you’re looking for a role where no two days are the same and where you’ll be genuinely valued for the difference you make, we’d love to hear from you.
> This is a site and field based role - Hybrid
- Based in either Wigan (WN4) or Colchester (CO4) - England
> We are unable to offer sponsorship or hire anyone that requires this or visa support to work in the UK.
Job requirements
They are looking to hire a pro-active Telesales / Sales / Business Development / Account Manager to work with and support their key clients. This role will report directly to the UK Head of Sales, supporting their clients. Experience of dealing with business to business sales and clients is essential, ideally in the food manufacturing / baking industry.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the National Account Management team with day‑to‑day customer activity, including preparing proposals, updating account plans, managing product information, and coordinating internal actions to ensure smooth delivery for key clients.
- Manage a portfolio of smaller accounts, acting as the primary point of contact, building relationships, understanding customer needs, and ensuring excellent service levels.
- Handle inbound and outbound customer communication, including telesales activity, follow‑ups, order queries, and proactive outreach to identify opportunities for growth within existing accounts.
- Maintain accurate customer records across CRM and internal systems, ensuring pricing, product data, forecasts, and call notes are up to date and shared with the wider commercial team.
- Support the delivery of customer projects, including product launches, promotional activity, trials, and sampling — coordinating with technical, marketing, and operations teams.
- Monitor account performance, tracking sales, identifying trends, and flagging risks or opportunities to the NAM team and Sales Director.
- Prepare reports, presentations, and meeting materials to support senior account managers in customer reviews, tenders, and strategic planning.
- Collaborate closely with internal teams (technical, NPD, customer service, operations) to resolve issues quickly and maintain high customer satisfaction.
- Develop product and market knowledge, taking part in structured training, shadowing senior colleagues, and gradually taking on more complex accounts as capability grows.
- Contribute to the wider sales function, supporting team initiatives, sharing insights from customer interactions, and helping drive continuous improvement in how Zeelandia serves its clients.
- 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.
Essential
- A few years experience in FMCG or food manufacturing sector, ideally with experience of bread / bakery, multi-site or complex supply chain environments.
- 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:
- 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.
Desirable
- Project management or process improvement credentials (e.g., PRINCE2, Six Sigma)
Pay: £35,000.00-£45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company car
- Company events
- Company pension
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
- Work from home
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
