Senior Key Account Manager - Distributor

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Join the Magic

Our Mission

At Puratos, we create innovative food solutions for the health and well-being of people everywhere. As the global leader in bakery, patisserie and chocolate ingredients, we help our customers to be successful with their business, by turning technologies and experiences from food cultures around the world into new opportunities.

We are more than 10.000 employees in over 85 countries and a consolidated turnover of 3.1 billion euros (in 2023). Our passion for innovation, a pioneering spirit and the unique Puratos culture drive our solid growth and vision for the future This, along with our commitment to our local communities, is what makes working at Puratos so magical.

To strengthen our team in the UK, we are looking for:

Senior Key Account Manager - Distributors

(Buckingham, UK)

Your Mission

To flawless develop and execute the UK Distributor strategy, develop profitable sales & create strong long term customer partnerships in line with the Puratos UK business strategy.

Key responsibilities

• Full P&L ownership and accountability for delivering budgeted growth across all business sectors - including management of key metrics, e.g., volume, net sales, and margin
• Develop, lead and execute the UK Distributors strategy fully aligned with key stakeholders in the global distributor channel team, aligning to UK partner model
• Create and implement commercially sound pricing and promotional plans across distributor market aligned with marketing and R&D teams to maximise impact
• Maintain a defensible pricing strategy in market flexing with a key partner model
• Develop strong strategic relationships within customers at all levels (NPD, Technical, Sales, Operations & Commercial)
• Create strong, long term customer partnerships including senior level relationships at key accounts and with industry bodies
• Define, and implement Joint Business Plans (JBP) with strategically focused key customers within direct sales portfolios
• Manage forecast accuracy and S&OP along with national supply chain manager to ensure consistently high service level
• Work closely with key customer service personnel for order processing and follow up
• Ensure proactive management and collaboration with the relevant Business Units (BU)
• Project manage new product launches from brief to launch ensuring internal and external stakeholder alignment
• Be a consultative point of contact for our customers on the use of our products within finished goods applications aligned to market trends and competitor activity
• Manage all elements of customer pricing, including price changes, renegotiating prices
• Ensure shared accountability for product within the full supply chain where relevant both internal and external
• Monitor results on a monthly basis and implement corrective action to ensure achievement of budgeted targets
• Project leadership for critical business activities (NPD, EPD) directing relevant R&D colleagues plus support the Senior Key Account Manager with wider team including Customer Services
• Timely and accurate use of day-to-day systems, such as CRM, Power BI, IBP Forecasting
• Member of the Puratos U-team

This list is not exhaustive, and you may be required to undertake additional duties as requested by your Manager.

What we expect from you

• Minimum 3 years commercial experience managing customer portfolios
• Excellent negotiation skills & proven commercial acumen
• Must have knowledge of Forecasting (S&OP), Demand Planning, Budget Setting, Margin Management, Customer Relationship Tools
• Proficient in spreadsheet, database and presentation including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint
• Ability to 'get under the skin' of accounts - fully understand customer needs and their future direction
• Ideally experienced working with SAP or similar
• Exceptional written & verbal communication skills
• Proven team player, able to work collaboratively at all levels and builds partnerships with cross-functional teams and customers
• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills at all levels of the organization
• Comfortable with executing pre-determined strategy
• Excellent organisational, planning, prioritisation, influence, presentation, and follow-up skills
• Self-motivated and must be persuasive in presenting ideas, innovation, business development and managing their implementation

What can you expect from us

Puratos provides a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment that encourages our people to take initiatives and bring ideas that will contribute to the success of the company. Of course, Puratos offers a competitive package, but additionally, it offers you a position that you can further develop and shape.

If you join our team, you can expect:

• 37.5 working hours per week
• Home-based contract, with 3 to 4 days in the field at customers / at a Puratos site
• Sales Incentive Plan - up to 5%
• Loyal Service Awards
• Private healthcare - single covered by Puratos, family added at cost to employee
• Car / Cash Allowance - £7,500 per year, £625 a month
• Fuel Card Scheme
• Annual salary review
• Pension - 3.5% employee, 5% employer OR 5% employee, 7.5% employer
• 25 days annual leave + UK bank holidays
• Life insurance 2 x salary and 20% spouse pension
• Monthly recognition scheme
• Perkbox discount platform
• Competitive salary package
• Professional in-house and external trainings
• Lots of exciting events with the team

Watch our corporate movie and feel the Puratos Magic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNRsBzuRlNI

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