Our client is a European premium wine leader delivering exceptional wines to the UK market. With brands from across the continent, this business boasts an enviable portfolio and has ambitious plans for further growth. As part of this strategy they require a National Account Controller to manage, enhance and grow business primarily in major multiple retail whilst developing and managing the broader Off Trade commercial strategy.
About the role
This role reports to the Managing Director and is primarily responsible for the profitable development of sales, distribution and visibility of a high-profile, premium branded wine portfolio across the Grocery and wider Off Trade channel. The successful candidate will be responsible for 360-degree customer management, including the development and delivery of joint business plans across their customer base in line with budgets, working in close collaboration with the brand owner and wider business team including Marketing, Finance and Operations.
Skill & Character Requirements
Influencing and negotiation: Accomplished sales professional with well-developed influencing and negotiation skills and a broad and deep understanding of the UK Off Trade Channels and Customers, particularly Grocery.
Commercial acumen: Analytical and objective with a broad understanding of sales levers, customer strategy and motivation and profit optimisation.
Data led: Demonstrates the ability to extract actionable insight from category and customer data to inform customer planning and management.
Strategic and critical thinker: Effectively considers short, medium and long-term business objectives (internal and external) and overcomes challenges to deliver success.
Strong technical wines knowledge: Readily able to communicate with and influence stakeholders with advanced wines expertise.
Stakeholder management: Can evidence a record of developing strong, collaborative, constructive and productive long-term professional relationships – customer, external and internal.
Problem solver: Passionate about the Wines category, a natural and creative problem solver with an entrepreneurial flair and the ability to work effectively under pressure.
Collaborative and accommodating team player.
Experience:
Essential:
- Strong knowledge, passion and experience of working in Wine.
- Established and accomplished UK National Account Manager/ Controller with a record of responsive and successful customer management across Grocery and ideally with additional exposure to other areas such as Wholesale Cash & Carry, Impulse or Specialists.
- Demonstrable record of responsibility for JBPs and P & L management.
- A data and category-led approach to sales management.
- Must have a solid understanding of / passion for the wines category.
Desirable:
- Experience in management of specialist Wines Retail customers.
- Network within the Wine buyer community in related channels.
- WSET Level 2 or Advanced (L3)
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