At Mr Fothergills Seed’s we are in the business of bringing gardens to life. Known for our exceptional range of seeds, garden products and horticultural expertise with well-known brands such as Mr Fothergill’s, Johnsons, DT Brown and Darlac our products can be found in garden centres, big retailers and direct to consumers through our websites and catalogues. We have a legacy of quality, a loyal customer base and are committed to inspiring and empowering gardeners of all levels.
We are a passionate team with a strong can-do attitude. We show respect to one another and are keen to innovate on our respective areas of expertise. We value agility, understand the journey our business is on and strive to add our unique mark onto that journey. We work hard but don’t forget to have fun. Our company purpose is “Helping Everyone Grow” and we extend that purpose to everything we do.
As we continue to expand our international footprint, we're looking for an ambitious and commercially minded Account Manager to lead the growth of our customer portfolio across selected accounts in UK/I & Europe. This is an exciting opportunity for a relationship-driven sales professional who enjoys managing strategic accounts, developing new business opportunities, and delivering profitable growth in international markets. This role will be based from our Kentford Offices.
Core Responsibilities:
Existing Customers (Europe & Rest of World)
- Develop and nurture long-term relationships as the primary contact for existing customers across UK/ Ireland/ Europe.
- Offer and promote the full Mr Fothergill's portfolio, including branded Seeds, "In Service of Seed", Own Label and Darlac products, helping customers drive sales growth and profitability.
- Partner with the International Operations Manager to create, own and manage customer plans and forecasts.
- Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including retail buyers, operational leadership and supply chain teams, ensuring smooth business operations and proactive resolution of challenges.
- Maintain accurate records of account activity, sales performance and customer interactions, ensuring CRM systems are regularly updated.
New Business Development
- Collaborate with Commercial, Marketing, Product Development and Supply Chain teams to develop and implement effective sales strategies by market and channel.
- Identify and target new customers and channels across UK/ Ireland/ Europe, promoting the Seeds & Tools opportunity and the category growth achieved with UK retail partners.
- Build trust and confidence with prospective customers, developing long-term commercial relationships.
- Manage the onboarding of new customers, working closely with the International Operations Manager to coordinate customer setup, phytosanitary requirements and demand planning.
- Lead Mr Fothergill's participation at trade shows and European garden centre events.
Selected UK National Accounts
- Support the Chief Commercial Officer in delivering customer plans, financial targets and demand forecasts in line with budget and growth ambitions.
- Build, align and track Joint Business Plans with key customers, including Private Label, Raven's Haven and Covermount accounts.
- Develop strong relationships with customers and internal stakeholders to deliver sales-driving initiatives and exceptional customer service.
- Maintain accurate sales, account and customer records, ensuring CRM systems are up to date and support informed decision-making.
We are looking for someone who is an energetic, commercially focused account manager and who combines strong relationship-building skills with a passion for winning new business. You will also demonstrate:
- Experience in an account management or other sales role, preferably within FMCG, horticulture, or consumer goods.
- Proven experience in true new business selling and building trust with customers over time.
- Ability to manage multiple customer relationships and deliver commercial results.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build rapport across diverse cultures and markets.
- Commercial awareness and experience with range planning, pricing strategies, and promotional execution.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and CRM systems; accurate record-keeping is essential.
- Ability to travel regularly within Europe and Ireland if needed.
- Additional European language skills (especially French or German) are desirable.
The world of gardening should be accessible to all and it’s important that our teams reflect the diversity of our customers, ensuring that our products meet everyone’s needs. Therefore, we very much welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates regardless of background, gender, race, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation, or age. We’re ‘rooting’ for you!
Pay: £40,000.00 per year
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Kentford CB8 7QB: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
- Account management: 3 years (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
