National Account Manager - Buying Groups & Key Accounts

We are looking for an experiences account manager to build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with plumbing industry buying groups and key accounts, driving growth through strategic account management, promotional planning, and collaborative development.

• Achieve agreed sales targets across volume, value, margin, and EBIT.
• Maintain regular contact with all buying groups and relevant departments.
• Visit accounts and branches to understand operations and identify growth opportunities.
• Maintain and update account files and internal reporting systems
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities, including branded and own-label products.
• Propose new products aligned with company objectives and manage account expectations.
• Suggest point-of-sale and display solutions to enhance conversion and brand visibility.
• Communicate all marketing and PR activities to accounts.
• Plan, execute, and evaluate promotions and advertising spend.
• Collaborate with marketing to ensure campaigns deliver ROI and align with account-specific strategies.
• Liaise with key stakeholders across accounts to implement action plans.
• Conduct quarterly performance analyses and reviews with accounts and internal teams.
• Agree and monitor annual KPIs with each account.
• Ensure timely execution of promotional proposals, invoicing, and price queries.
• Evaluate cost-saving and operational efficiencies within accounts.
• Manage and track approved advertising and promotional budgets.

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in account management role, ideally within the plumbing or building materials sector.
• Strong understanding of buying group dynamics and independent merchant networks.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Commercial acumen with the ability to analyse data and drive strategic decisions.
• Familiarity with CRM and reporting tools
• Computer Literacy: Proficient in Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Negotiation Skills: Ability to influence and close deals under pressure.
• Communication Skills: Strong verbal, written, and non-verbal communication.
• Presentation Skills: Confident presenting to individuals and groups.
• Time Management: Ability to prioritise and meet deadlines.
• Business Calculations: Competent in financial and margin analysis.
• Analytical Thinking: Skilled in interpreting sales data and trends.
• Problem Solving: Proactive in identifying and resolving issues.
• Forecasting: Capable of projecting sales and planning inventory.
• Cost Management: Experience in budgeting and evaluating spend