National Account Manager

Join Keelings! You will be part of a passionate team of people and a growing business. Come on the journey with us where you will grow and develop and truly feel a sense of belonging. At Keelings, we don't just grow quality fresh produce, we also nurture people and their professional development. The Keelings family always employ the best people for the job, the key to our success is the quality of the people we employ.

Our Strategic Priorities

Better Food - We make our products better and inspire more people to enjoy produce.

People - We support our people to learn, be at their best, contribute and deliver on their commitments, using One Keelings' standards.

Better Ways - Every year we improve our competitiveness, efficiency and delivery through insight, technology and One Keelings.

Better World - We improve our environmental and social impact to make a positive difference in our world.

Partnerships - Working with Keelings creates value and long-term relationships with our customers & suppliers.

Growth - We invest in and deliver insight-led, focused, profitable growth into the future.

Keelings Values

People Matter - We support and treat each other in a clear, fair and respectful way. We all learn, develop and encourage everyone to contribute

Teamwork - We inspire and help each other to deliver our ambitions together as One Keelings

Integrity - We do the right thing and deliver on our commitments

Passion for Achievement - We motivate ourselves and each other to achieve our ambitions with energy, knowledge and courage. We are always striving to be better.

Purpose of the Role:

We are looking for a passionate Pot Plant NAM to support the Commercial Manager managing key accounts. The NAM responsibilities include working closely with the NPD department on designing unique plant and gift pieces including arrangements both ceramic and baskets and novelty items. Seek out new and different mono plant offerings. Maintain customer relationships and grow the business through the implementation of the business strategy. Maintaining positive relationships with our customers, preparing retail and pricing strategies, placing and tracking purchase orders, managing inventory and keeping track of market trends.

 Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

Main Responsibilities

Purchasing:

• To secure the best daily/weekly prices from suppliers for all products purchased.
  
  
• Ensuring products are purchased at the right time, to specification and at a good price.
  
  
• Ensure products meet and exceed target margins through strong buying.
  
  
• Confirmation of customer range preference and listings for events.
  
  
• Liaise with World suppliers to ensure the timely arrival of all seasonal and standard packaging and product and building positive, long-term relationships.
  
  
• Communication and booking of product in advance for key seasonal events.

 Key Account Management:

• Operate as a key account manager for key customers.
  
  
• Agrees pricing on plants and sundry items.
  
  
• Prepare promotional pricing – complete the weekly pricelist for customers.
  
  
• Forecast weekly sales, and compare actual and forecasts.
  
  
• Agree and sign off all seasonal ranges and promotions including Christmas, Mother’s Day, Valentines', Easter and the Irish pot plant season.
  
  
• Assist with NPD and innovation for all seasonal events.
  
  
• Complete NLFS for all new and changing lines both internal and to our customers.
  
  
• Delivering commercial business objectives through increased range, distribution and promotion of the Horticultural Category to deliver profitable volume growth.
  
  
• Managing and developing the relationships with Key Multiple and Group Accounts to drive and grow the Horticultural Category’s volume and achieve agreed sales targets.
  
  
• Managing the translation of agreed Horti objectives into account plans and activities, communicating and implementing plans and managing day-to-day issues as they arise.
  
  
• Reviewing commercial trading and product performance with customers on a regular basis and documenting all outcomes and actions.
  
  
• As part of the Commercial team, delivering added value expertise on the Grocery channels. 

 Stock Management:

• Order and forecast stock daily
• Liaise with all relevant stakeholders to ensure right consistency in orders to avoid compromising product residency and meet customer demand.
  
  
• Undertakes pack house walk around daily to check the quality, quantity, reasons for rejection, and shelf life.
  
  
• Reviews shelf life daily, and prioritises what is for sale.

Financial:

• Promotional planning.
  
  
• Invoice queries, raise purchase orders.
  
  
• Agree pricing for buying and selling.
  
  
• Review additional costs e.g. production, transport.
• Investigate any discrepancies.
  
  
• Liaise with growers/suppliers daily on queries/accounts.

Key Skills & Knowledge

Essential:

• The ideal candidate will have worked as a plant buyer/seller in the horticulture sector (supermarket, garden centre, DIY shed, plant wholesaler/grower)
• Financial acumen
• Excellent Communication skills
• Excellent IT skills particularly Excel
• Excellent Interpersonal skills
• Negotiation skills

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the supermarket horticulture category is desirable.
• Experience in selling and sourcing both indoor and garden plants to retailers.

Education & Qualifications:

• Leaving cert (or equivalent) and above.

Recruitment Process

1. CV Submission & email acknowledgement of receipt
   
   
2. Phone Screening
   
   
3. 1st Interview
   
   
4. 2nd Interview
   
   
5. Outcome & Feedback

Inclusion & Diversity Statement

At Keelings, we value all perspectives and knowledge that our colleagues bring to our business. We are committed to forming a diverse and inclusive team where all can share their unique experiences and perspectives. We welcome applications from all cultures and backgrounds and are dedicated to forming an environment of inclusiveness and diversity where all can thoroughly feel a sense of belonging. 

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

If you require reasonable accommodation in submitting your application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the recruitment process, please contact recruitment_keelings@keelings.com

Keelings Careers - https://www.keelings.com/careers-keelings

Keelings Strategy & Values – https://www.keelings.com/our-people