National Account Manager Foods Italy
WFA Digital Insight
The demand for skilled account managers in the foods industry has grown significantly, with a 25% increase in job openings over the past year. As remote work continues to shape the job market, companies like Unilever are looking for talented professionals to drive business growth. With the rise of e-commerce and digital marketing, having a strong understanding of market trends and customer insights is crucial. Unilever's commitment to diversity and inclusion makes it an attractive employer for those who value a dynamic work environment. Before applying, candidates should be prepared to showcase their sales and negotiation skills, as well as their ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a remote team.
Job Description
About the Role
As a National Account Manager at Unilever, you will be responsible for developing and executing strategic business plans for national key accounts within the GDO channel. This role is critical to driving sales growth, profitability, and market share for Unilever's Foods portfolio, which includes iconic brands such as Knorr and Calvé. You will work closely with major retail partners at a senior level, building strong and long-lasting relationships that are essential to the company's success.The National Account Manager will be part of a dynamic team that is passionate about delivering results and driving business growth. The role involves 50% customer visits and 50% remote work, with most clients located in Northern Italy. As a key member of the Customer Business Development team, you will be expected to analyze market trends, shopper insights, and customer performance to identify growth opportunities and develop strategies to capitalize on them.
Unilever's Foods business is a significant contributor to the company's overall revenue, and the National Account Manager will play a critical role in driving growth and profitability in this sector. The company is committed to innovation and customer satisfaction, and the National Account Manager will be expected to embody these values in their work.
What You Will Do
- Develop and execute strategic business plans for national key accounts within the GDO channel
- Build strong, long-lasting relationships with major retail partners at a senior level
- Drive sales performance, profitability, and market share growth across Knorr and Calvé portfolios
- Lead negotiations on commercial agreements, promotions, and assortment strategies
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Marketing, Trade Marketing, Supply Chain, and Finance teams
- Analyze market trends, shopper insights, and customer performance to identify growth opportunities
- Develop and execute customer-specific plans to drive sales growth and profitability
- Work closely with the sales team to identify and pursue new business opportunities
- Provide input and insights to the customer business development team to inform strategic decisions
What We Are Looking For
- Bachelor or Master degree in a relevant field
- Minimum 5 years of experience in sales roles, leading complex key accounts, preferably in the Foods & Beverage industry, FMCG sector, GDO channel
- Operational Management, Selling and Negotiation, and Project Management skills
- Strong ability to lead through collaboration, networking, and influence
- Effective Customer Management by leveraging all areas of the P&L
- People capability-building and Leadership skills to develop functional excellence, engage and inspire people and teams
- Strong negotiation and commercial acumen
- Data-driven mindset with excellent analytical skills
- Good command of Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel
- Fluent in Italian and English
Nice to Have
- Experience working in a remote or flexible work environment
- Knowledge of the Italian food market and key players in the industry
- Certification in sales, marketing, or a related field
- Experience working with CRM software and other sales tools
Benefits and Perks
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Opportunity to work with a leading global company and iconic brands
- Collaborative and dynamic work environment
- Flexible work arrangement with 50% remote work
- Company car and fuel card for business and private use
- Meal vouchers and other benefits
- Opportunities for professional development and growth
- Access to a global network of professionals and resources
How to Stand Out
- Develop a strong understanding of the Italian food market and key players in the industry to stand out as a candidate.
- Showcase your sales and negotiation skills by providing specific examples of successful deals or partnerships you have secured in the past.
- Highlight your ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a remote team, and be prepared to discuss your experience with remote work tools and software.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with data analysis and CRM software, and how you have used these tools to drive sales growth and inform strategic decisions.
- Research Unilever's commitment to diversity and inclusion, and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to this effort as a member of the team.
- Practice your negotiation skills and be prepared to role-play a negotiation scenario during the interview process.
- Emphasize your ability to build strong relationships with customers and partners, and provide examples of successful partnerships you have developed in the past.
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