National Account Manager – Off Trade, Booker (12m FTC)

Asahi UK (AUK), part of Asahi Europe & International Ltd, aims to enrich consumer experiences through innovation, high-quality service and an exceptional portfolio of premium beer, ale and cider brands including, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Asahi Super Dry, Meantime, Fuller’s London Pride and Cornish Orchards. Our aim is to be the leading super premium beer business in the UK, through a brand mix that creates a compelling proposition. At AUK we operate as an end to end business unit responsible for sales, marketing, customer operations, production, supply chain and wholesale operations in the UK & Ireland. For further information, visit www.asahibeer.co.uk

Asahi Europe & International is a subsidiary of Asahi Group Holdings Ltd, a global beverage and food company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Japan. Employing > 12,000 people, Asahi Europe & International is the custodian for leading super premium lager brands Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Grolsch, Asahi Super Dry, plus international Czech lager brands, Pilsner Urquell and Kozel. The business has world-class brewing and production facilities in 8 markets – UK, NL, ITL, PL, CZ, SK, HU, RO. In most of these markets, we are the leading brewer with full portfolio of famous brands. Commercial operations in other parts of Europe, USA, Canada, LatAm, Africa and Asia are served through our global distribution network. With state-of-the-art facilities, some of the best brewers in the world, quality ingredients, and a culture based on innovation and collaboration, Asahi offers the best quality of beer to beer lovers worldwide. More information can be found at www.asahiinternational.com

National Account Manager – Off Trade – Booker

To drive sustainable growth of the Asahi UK portfolio across the Booker Group, working with strategic channel partners to build long term relationships, and deliver joint business plans. With full P&L responsibility, build and develop an insight and category led approach to the channel that will encompass a broad contact strategy with internal and external stakeholders.

Focus on delivering growth plans across the customer through commercial excellence and superior relationships with our key contacts at all levels.

Ensure that a plan is in place that continues to keep AUK’s portfolio at the forefront of premium developments with all customers, backed by sound commercial principles and industry leading relationships.

Analyse customer’s sales data, identifying risks & opportunists turning these insights into National & Regional action plans.

To Support the National Account Controller with the development of commercial strategy and key projects.

The Booker Groups continues to be one of the most complex customers with multiple channels of trade across, C&C, catering/on-trade businesses, retail and supplied national accounts offering a fantastic opportunity to increase a broader business understanding.

Key Accountabilities

Full ownership and P&L responsibility
Planning, development and implementing of key trading strategies within Booker group including all channels of trade
Responsible for the development, execution and evaluation of the Booker Group commercial plan(Terms/AI management). This will include ensuring the plan is delivered across all formats in a timely manner to ensure maximum benefit to AUK with a focus on retail execution
Proactively position AUK as Super Premium champions across all aspects of the Booker Group, bringing the strategy to life with key activations, category management initiatives and a communication strategy
Own relationships with external Booker contacts, develop the contact strategy to deliver commercial plans within brand guidelines, tailored to specific areas of business (Catering, National Accounts, Premier, Budgens, Londis)
Ownership of Dunnhumby relationship, analysing data and insight to shape future plans and target activity. Feedback key insights to Booker to shape thinking & plans.
Effective management of Trade investment to maximise brand building opportunities and PRGM.
Support the National Account Controller through the provision of strong financial account management & analysis.
Manage and maintain SKU volume, NPR and GM forecasting across the direct account base.
Seek new business & brand building opportunities both within the existing account base & new routes to market

Experience Required

Experience of working with premium brands, protecting brand equity and delivering brand execution within strict brand guidelines (within alcohol beneficial)
A track record of building superior customer relationships & building a strategic customer contact strategy and network
Structured selling skills combined with strong drive and energy
Negotiating contracts & marketing spend to deliver company & brand goals
Relevant commercial sales responsibility in a successful FMCG business at NAM level
Ability to take the initiative, explore and deliver new business opportunities
Manages & scrutinises budgets for account base, demonstrates ability to target spend within customer portfolio to maximise ROI
Great communication skills coupled with a willingness to engage and deliver a super premium agenda
Experience in working with internal colleagues across different functions
Experience in dealing with experienced buyers, regional contacts and other key customer contacts. A track record of superior customer relationships.
Understands how money is made; has managed a P&L and has a proven track record of P&L growth & mix management
An individual that has the courage and conviction to not only make considered and well presented decisions, but to stand by them.
Ability to seek out and generate new business.

Key attributes of the successful person

Dynamic and passionate
Resilient and with confidence to uphold strategic decisions
Proactively engaged team player
Accountable for actions and commitments
Strong drive & ambition to grow and develop within the business
Innovative with solutions & challenging of the status quo
Ability to motivate & influence others

We are committed to nurturing a workplace where we celebrate and respect difference, and support everyone to be true to who they are! At Asahi Europe and International we believe you can SHINE AS YOU ARE – no matter your age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs. We want to support you to be courageous in your individuality and to know that whoever you are and whatever your circumstances, you can belong with us without having to conform.