Job Description

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.

The National Account Manager (NAM) will be responsible for managing and expanding Mr Fothergill's Seeds' portfolio of accounts, both existing and prospective customers, for grocery & variety discount customers to include, but not limited to, Morrison's, Sainsbury's & Boyes. The role will ensure the effective presentation and promotion of all Fothergill's Branded & Own Label products on Seed, In service of Seed & Gifting.

You will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to create, align and execute Joint Business Plans that drive sales and profitability whilst managing key relationships and identifying new business opportunities in line with the company's growth strategy.

Core Responsibilities:

Account Management:

Maintain and oversee the day-to-day running of existing accounts, ensuring all products are presented and offered effectively to drive sales. Develop and nurture long-term relationships with key accounts and act as the primary point of contact for any account-related matters.

Business Development:

Proactively seek new business opportunities within both existing and prospective accounts to sell more products to existing accounts or open up new accounts.

Bespoke Range Planning:

Develop tailored product ranges for each account, focusing on both Mr Fothergill's branded Seeds & "In Service of Seed" products and any Own Label (OL) product offerings. Ensure that all products are aligned with the retailer's needs and preferences, driving product visibility and sales.

Sales Strategy:

Collaborate with internal teams (marketing, product development, supply chain) to develop and implement effective sales strategies for each account. Oversee pricing, promotional strategies, stock levels and any shopper marketing activities with customers to ensure commercial success.

Record Keeping:

Ensure accurate records of account activities, sales performance, and customer interactions are maintained. Regularly update account documentation with detailed account and sales data to inform decision-making and track progress.

Relationship Building:

Build and maintain strong working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, including retail buyers, operational leadership, supply chain teams, and merchandising staff. Communicate effectively with all parties to ensure smooth business operations and address any challenges proactively. Represent Fothergill's at Customer specific Trade Shows & Events.

Liaison with Third Party Merchandising Team:

Work closely with Head of National Accounts and each third party merchandising provider to ensure centrally agreed plans are executed with excellence locally at each store

Creation, ownership and management of Customer Joint Business Plans:

Build mutually beneficial joint business plans with customers based on the right range of products, space, display location, promotional mechanics & availability for each Customer / Outlet. Track performance using internal (shipment) data and external (store level EPOS) data. Make recommendations to improve performance and deliver goals.

We are looking for someone

who has proven experience in selling to top 5 grocers, ideally at National Account Manager or in wider NationalAccount Management of retailers (ideally seasonal or non-food. FMCG considered). You will demonstrate excellent communication skills with the ability to build trust with customers, suppliers and internal teams through presentations, one to one meetings and at Trade Shows. You will also demonstrate:

Strong understanding of Account Management, Joint Business Plan creation, sales strategy, and ranging. Data literacy, with proven ability to manipulate data to review the business & generate compelling narratives to help grow it. High levels of organisation with the ability to manage multiple accounts and priorities effectively. Strong Commercial focus with a track record of driving sales growth and profitability. Experience in merchandising and managing promotional activities. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint) Self-motivation, bias to action, and be capable of working independently and as part of a team.
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!

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 45,000.00-50,000.00 per year

Application question(s):

Do you have experience of selling to top 5 Grocers? Do you have experience of managing accounts within retail, seasonal or non-food FMCG industries?
Experience:

National Account Management: 3 years (required)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Newmarket CB8 7QB