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

We are recruiting for an exciting Account Development Manager opportunity in our London Field Sales team. As Account Development Manager you will develop and maintain relationships with key customers within a defined territory (North London), developing joint business plans with outlets ensuring retention and organic growth. You will ensure new business opportunities through excellent territory knowledge are identified, and that growth via new distribution points is delivered in line with the Company’s objectives.

Key accountabilities

The Account Development Manager is responsible for the following key outputs and accountabilities

• Responsible for managing key customer accounts to ensure retention and organic growth is delivered to meet KPIs, through regular visits and development of joint business plans at outlet level
• Creation of a territory file to define regional quarterly and annual plans
• Maintain the account data base for a specified territory within our CRM system, producing regular reports for Regional Sales Manager & Director Of Sales
• Identifying new business opportunities through excellent territory knowledge and industry networking, using own initiative to deliver new draught installations for our key brands by working with the Regional Account Managers
• Build strong relationships with Route to Market partners, developing customer activity plans in line with the channel requirements in conjunction with National Account team
• Work closely with the Customer Development Executive (CDE) sales team to ensure appropriate activations are delivered in line with agreed joint business plans
• Assisting with the training & development of the CDE sales team to ensure brands are developed in line with our brand policy
• Ensure best practice and cost effectiveness by tailoring a channel activity program to individual retailer needs
• Monitor and evaluate activity and share best practice within the Field Sales and wider Asahi UK account team
• Key weekly activities (80% account management/20% new business):
  • Retaining exiting business with circa 7 calls per day
  • Woking with RTM partners to unlock organic growth within the territory
• The job involves extensive travel throughout a defined territory, as well as to the Head Office in Woking and other central meeting points.  There will be some evening and weekend working involved

Experience required

• Proven sales record within major FMCG or drinks company
• Demonstrates strong account management experience
• Able to demonstrate a track record of delivering and managing a number of key projects simultaneously
• Structured selling skills demonstrated, and can adapt these to a premium environment
• Can demonstrate an understanding of brand plans at Point of Purchase
• Highly self-motivated, with the ability to work on their own
• Is accountable for achieving results and takes responsibility for ones mistakes
• Ability to present and communicate to a high standard

Key attributes of the successful person

• Having worked with Premium brands can articulate the benefits of the “Premium” sector
• Understands the value of building a portfolio
• Understands the whole concept of the right product for the right outlet/consumer
• Can build mutually beneficial business planning (JBP’s) i.e. need to understand what the customer wants to achieve then tailor to both his and our needs.
• Able to show initiative with a balanced approach.
• If the candidate is looking to progress then the expectation would be to do this they may need to relocate.
• Have a good understanding of their current product and can articulate where it sits within its mark

On offer is a competitive basic salary plus generous benefits package.

• Car allowance
• Beer allowance per annum
• Annual bonus
• Industry leading pension contribution
• Life assurance
• 25 days’ holiday

Please no agencies.

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