External Account Manager - Food

Job Title: External Account Manager - FoodReports to: Sales ManagerLocation: Covering the North of England and Scotland patchRole Summary We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven Specialty Food Ingredients Account Manager to manage and grow relationships with Food and Beverage manufacturers. This role combines strategic account management, business development, and cross-functional collaboration to drive sales and profitability within your territory. Key Responsibilities

• Sales & Commercial Performance
• Achieve monthly, quarterly, and annual Gross Profit (GP) targets.
• Lead pricing negotiations and margin management to optimize profitability.
• Analyse sales performance, identify gaps, and implement corrective actions.
• Business Development
• Identify and convert new business opportunities and customers.
• Explore new markets and product opportunities, logging all opportunities in the CRM.
• Collaborate with Technical Sales Managers and Product Managers to maximize sales potential for example by hosting customers at the innovation and application centre in Leeds.
• Customer Relationship Management
• Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective customers, logging information in the CRM tool.
• Work closely with internal teams (TSMs, Product Managers, Customer Service) to ensure seamless customer service.
• Develop and maintain strategic account plans to support customer growth
• Operational Excellence
• Maintain up-to-date product knowledge through training and self-learning.
• Support working capital goals by managing customer debt and reducing slow-moving stock.
• Adhere to company policies, quality standards, and legal requirements and perform other duties as assigned by the Sales Manager or Business Manager.

Work Schedule & Travel Expectations: This is a home based role, with travel to be expected. The weekly schedule will vary based on business needs, but the role requires a minimum of four in-person customer visits per week. In addition, you’ll be expected to attend meetings or training at our Leeds headquarters 1–2 times per quarter and visit your local depot once a week to maintain strong operational alignment**.Experience & Knowledge**

• Proven B2B sales experience in specialty food ingredients
• Strong consultative selling skills and ability to engage a diverse customer base
• Familiarity with matrix organisations and team-based selling
• Solid understanding of the Food & Beverage manufacturing landscape (for example, but not limited to savoury e.g. Ready Meals, Meats; Bakery & Beverages)

Personal Attributes

• Tenacious, target-driven, and commercially focused
• Collaborative team player
• Pragmatic with strong prioritisation and follow-up skills
• Effective communicator across all levels of customer organisations
• Growth mindset with a proactive approach to learning and development

Brenntag provides equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees of all backgrounds and identities to create a workplace where difference is valued because it forms a resilient and more innovative organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, religion or belief, parental and family status, or any other protected characteristic. We welcome applications from women, men and non-binary candidates of all ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds. Brenntag TA Team