National Account Manager

National Account Manager – Drinks

£50,000 – £55,000 + Bonus

Kent - Hybrid – 2 days per week in the office

Know the Drinks industry, have the contacts, and want the opportunity to build something?

We’re partnering with an established, highly successful FMCG manufacturer to recruit a newly created National Account Manager focused specifically on accelerating growth across Drinks.

With a £20m+ turnover, more than 500 customers and a strong reputation for service and long-term partnerships, the foundations are already there. Drinks represents a significant growth opportunity, and they’re now investing in someone who can bring the market knowledge, relationships and commercial drive to unlock it.

This is a genuine hunter/nurturer role. You’ll open the door, win the customer – and then keep and grow the relationship.

The Role

• Identify and win new business opportunities across the UK Drinks market
• Build a strong pipeline across drinks manufacturers, branded businesses, own-label producers and other relevant partners
• Develop relationships with key commercial decision-makers and use your network to open new doors
• Own the full sales cycle, from prospecting and presentations through negotiation, implementation and ongoing account development
• Create account growth plans that increase revenue, volume, margin and long-term customer value
• Use market, customer, competitor and pricing insight to identify new commercial opportunities
• Work closely with Supply Chain, Operations, Finance and the wider Commercial team to ensure opportunities can be delivered profitably
• Play a visible role in shaping the future growth of the Drinks division

About You

• Proven commercial experience within Drinks, ingredients, FMCG or a related B2B environment
• Drinks ingredients experience and an established industry network would be particularly attractive
• A track record of winning new business and opening doors
• Equally able to demonstrate long-term account development and sustained customer growth
• Commercially astute, with confidence around pricing, margin, forecasting and negotiation
• A natural relationship builder who can establish credibility with customers and internal stakeholders
• Proactive, entrepreneurial and comfortable working with autonomy
• Collaborative by nature – this is a close-knit business where working cross-functionally really matters

Why Join?

This is a newly created position within an established and profitable business that has identified Drinks as a major area for future growth.

You’ll have the freedom to build a market, rather than simply inherit a customer list, while having the infrastructure and reputation of an established business behind you.

The culture is people-focused, collaborative and development-led, with genuine investment in training and progression as the business continues to grow.

If you know the Drinks market, enjoy opening doors and want the opportunity to turn those relationships into long-term commercial partnerships, we’d love to hear from you.