Reports To: Chief Operating Officer
Location: Brandon (IP27) or Nazeing (EN9)
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
The Company:
Lignacite was established in 1947 and are a Concrete Block manufacturer, based in Suffolk and Essex, supplying the Merchant, Building Contractor, and Housing Developer Channels within the Construction Industry. Our geographical markets are primarily East Anglia, London, and the Southeast, though we do have limited national and international sales.
Role Purpose
The Account Manager is responsible for developing and managing relationships with housing developers, groundworks contractors, civil engineering companies, and associated construction stakeholders. The role focuses on driving specification, sales growth, and market share through strategic account management, project tracking, and business development across residential and infrastructure projects.
The successful candidate will work closely with commercial teams, site managers, procurement departments, estimators, and technical stakeholders to ensure products and services are specified and supplied throughout the project lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities
Account Management
· Develop and maintain strong relationships with regional and national housebuilders, groundworks contractors, and civil engineering businesses.
· Manage a portfolio of key accounts to maximise sales opportunities and profitability.
· Build relationships with procurement managers, commercial directors, quantity surveyors, site managers, contracts managers, and buyers.
· Develop account plans that support long-term customer growth and retention.
· Conduct regular customer meetings, site visits, and project reviews.
Sales & Business Development
· Identify and secure new business opportunities within residential development and groundworks markets.
· Track project opportunities from planning stages through to project completion.
· Engage with developers, contractors, architects, engineers, and consultants to influence product selection and specification.
· Develop strategies to increase market share across assigned accounts and territories.
· Generate new leads through networking, market intelligence, and industry contacts.
Project & Pipeline Management
· Monitor housing and infrastructure developments within the assigned region.
· Build and maintain a project pipeline using CRM and construction intelligence platforms.
· Ensure timely follow-up of quotations, specifications, and project opportunities.
· Collaborate with internal sales and technical teams to secure project wins.
· Forecast future demand based on project activity and market trends.
Commercial Management
· Negotiate pricing, contracts, framework agreements, and rebate structures within company guidelines.
· Deliver sales growth while maintaining profitable margins.
· Produce accurate sales forecasts and account performance reports.
· Monitor competitor activity and identify opportunities to strengthen market position.
· Support tender submissions and commercial proposals.
Stakeholder Engagement
· Develop relationships with key decision-makers across housebuilders and groundworks contractors.
· Support technical presentations, product demonstrations, and CPD sessions where applicable.
· Attend industry networking events, exhibitions, and trade shows.
· Promote the company's products, services, and technical capabilities.
Customer Service & Collaboration
· Work closely with Customer Service, Operations, Supply Chain, Technical, and Marketing teams.
· Ensure customer requirements are met through effective communication and project management.
· Resolve commercial and operational issues swiftly to maintain customer satisfaction.
· Share market intelligence and customer feedback to support business planning.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
· Achievement of sales revenue targets.
· Gross margin performance.
· New account acquisition.
· Growth within existing accounts.
· Project pipeline value and conversion rates.
· Number of specifications secured.
· Customer retention rates.
· Forecast accuracy.
· CRM compliance and reporting quality.
· Market share growth within target sectors.
Required Qualifications & Experience
Essential
· Proven sales, account management, or business development experience within construction products, building materials, civil engineering, or infrastructure sectors.
· Strong understanding of housebuilding, groundworks, or construction markets.
· Experience working with regional and national housing developers and contractors.
· Demonstrated ability to achieve and exceed sales targets.
· Excellent negotiation and relationship-management skills.
· Full UK driving licence.
Desirable
· Existing relationships with major UK housebuilders and groundworks contractors.
· Knowledge of infrastructure, drainage, civils, streetworks, heavy building materials, or associated construction products.
· Experience using project tracking platforms such as Glenigan, Barbour ABI, or Constructionline.
· Professional sales or construction-related qualification. Skills & Competencies
Skills & Competencies:
Commercial Skills
· Strategic account management
· Business development
· Negotiation and influencing
· Specification selling
· Project tracking and pipeline management
· Commercial awareness
Personal Skills
· Relationship building
· Communication and presentation skills
· Self-motivation
· Problem solving
· Time management
· Resilience and adaptability
Technical Skills
· CRM management
· Sales forecasting
· Construction project tracking software
· Microsoft Office Suite
· Data analysis and reporting
Key Behaviours
· Customer-focused
· Commercially astute
· Results-driven
· Professional and credible
· Collaborative team player
· Highly organised
· Proactive and accountable
· Strong relationship builder
Package:
Base Salary: £50,000
· Company car or car allowance
· Performance-related bonus (up to 20%)
· Pension scheme
· Mobile phone and laptop
· 25 Days holiday plus bank
Pay: £50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company car
- Company pension
- Free parking
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Experience:
- Construction Industry: 5 years (required)
- House Developers: 2 years (required)
Work Location: In person
