National Account Executive

(Hybrid, Watford, WD24 7RY)

We are looking for sales driven individual to join our Field Sales Team and play a pivotal supportive role within the team. Reporting into a Senior National Account Manager (SNAM), you will provide proactive and effective sales presence for our largest customers to deliver growth.

The role will be field based with some time spent in our Watford head office. You will be required to maintain high levels of customer interaction and ensure that the customer base is being supported and managed in line with the business plan.

The role is essential towards developing our network within the customer and growing the business in both new and existing sectors. You will be working collaboratively with all departments within Vegetarian Express to deliver service excellence to our clients and maintaining a one team approach.

What will be your main responsibilities?

Support Line Manager (SNAM) in delivering monthly sales and margin targets

Build and leverage strong customer relationships at Unit Level, demonstrating growth via proposition selling. Customer visits would be scheduled for at least three days from five in the week.

Supporting Line Manager with Head Office activity such as monthly customer meetings and QBRs. Standing in for Line Manager for internal meetings when necessary

Demonstrating effectively partnering with your customers to understand and identify their plans for growth, adding value, offering a wide range of practical solutions and products to drive margin and sales

Maintain and complete all business reporting and customer records within any agreed timeframes utilising all data management systems available to you

Understand competitor activity ensuring you are always offering your customers the best local and national solutions.

Determine key contact strategy within customers and manage relationship across all levels; chefs, ops, purchasing and category teams

Work alongside the Telesales and Customer service team to provide a best-in-class customer experience, ensuring that calls and activities are covered in a timely manner.

Understand and interpret data, insight and a sound market understanding to qualify potential commercial opportunities.

Explore inbound business development opportunities to maximise the lead.

Support SNAM to engage with our internal commercial and NPD teams to leverage opportunity with the client category managers and development teams within assigned client portfolio.

To work effectively as part of a Sales team including the cover of any function within the team should it be required including supporting colleagues on “pop ups” and trade shows

Acting as a brand ambassador for the business in your local market including, As appropriate, attending customer events – i.e. charity occasions, awards, etc

Any other duties as required by the Head of Department or Line Manager

Who are we?

Join the Plant-Based Revolution

We’re on a mission to fill plates across the UK with plant-based goodness. Since 1987, we’ve been the rebel explorers of the food world, on a constant journey to discover and deliver the very best in vegetarian and vegan ingredients. Today, we are the go-to partner for over 5,000 chefs - from industry giants like Compass and Sodexo to the most innovative independent operators.

As the demand for plant-based, vegetarian, and flexitarian diets continues to grow, we are uniquely positioned within the foodservice sector to meet it. We are expanding rapidly, bringing our expertise to kitchens that want to stay ahead of the curve.

Why we’re different

We don’t just deliver ingredients; we deliver the ideas and inspiration chefs need to master the plant-based learning curve. From Açaí to Za'atar, we speak fluent plant-based. We help our customers create enticing menus that are better for their guests' health, better for the planet, and - importantly - better for their bottom line.

Business as a force for good

As a proud Certified B Corp, we balance people, planet, and profit. We don’t just talk about change; we own it. We are committed to building an exceptional, supportive team where your opinions matter and you are empowered to challenge the norm to make a real difference.

If you’re passionate about food and want to help chefs succeed with plant-based menus, you’ll fit right in.

What do you need?

We are seeking a self starter, results driven individual who is keen to progress their career in a sales and commercial role.

You will ideally have:

A minimum of 2 years sales experience selling face to face, B2B in the field

Experience of presenting to groups

Experience in organising and attending small and medium promotional events including product presentation and demonstrations

Demonstratable knowledge and training in the “selling process”

Understanding of the industry and market

What will differentiate you?

Experience within the foodservice and wholesale sector

In return what do we offer?

Competitive basic salary, dependant on experience

25 days holiday plus public holidays

Company car

Option to purchase additional annual leave (up to 3 days)

Cash health plan (money back for dentist, opticians, physio etc.)

Life assurance (4 x salary)

Staff discount on all products

Pension

We promote good physical and mental health and can provide additional support to our employees via our Employee Assistance Programme all year round

Vegetarian Express

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