The posting
Company Description
At Link Snacks, we show up hungry, roll up our sleeves, plaid or otherwise, and dive straight into the hard work. We don’t hide from challenges; we hunt them down. We push harder, move faster, and take the kinds of big swings that built this business in the North Woods of Wisconsin four decades ago.
We’re everyday people who deliver extraordinary results. Innovation, creativity, and urgency aren’t buzzwords, they’re expectations. And just like the real protein snacks we make across our global house of brands. What you see is exactly what you get: humble, gritty, passionate people who show up every day ready to not just participate in the meat snack industry that the Link Family created, but to move faster, innovate harder and keep raising the bar.
As part of the Link Snacks global enterprise, our team across EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) is focused on driving the growth of the real meat protein snack category with a strong emphasis on our brands: Jack Link’s®, Peperami®, BiFi®, and Minuets®. We operate through a network of regional offices and production sites across Europe in Germany, Netherlands and United Kingdom.
Dominating this space across the world takes a team. A team that runs together, succeeds together, and celebrates together. A team that’s full of relentless energy and spirit that can only be fueled by one thing: a fist full of our delicious meat snacks.
But we’re not just about snacks; we’re driven by our core values: Be Real, Relationship Driven, Speed Matters, Stewardship, Self Discipline, Show Awesome Character
Values we bring to life. Every. Single. Day
Job Description
Make a difference by becoming part of the No. 1 protein snack manufacturer worldwide as National Account Manager (Morrisons) at Link Snacks.
Our spacious and modern HQ is located in the vibrant Amsterdam, and includes a highly international team, with more than 25 different nationalities. Our EMEA team is committed to continuing its impressive EMEA expansion, one bite at a time, and becoming the regional leader in branded protein snacks.
This position is based in Richmond and you will be reporting to the Head of Sales (Grocery).
The National Account Manager (Morrisons) owns the commercial relationship and performance of the Morrisons customer across Core Grocery, Food to Go, E-commerce and Wholesale. The role develops and negotiates agreed customer objectives, applies and safeguards Link Snacks' commercial policy, and delivers measurable qualitative and quantitative goals across net sales, gross margin, trade investment, numeric distribution, sell-through and execution. The role also builds and protects the reputation of Link Snacks and its brands with major retailers while managing the customer portfolio economically and efficiently.
Working closely with Field Sales, Category Management, Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain and Customer Service, the National Account Manager converts consumer, shopper and category insights into compelling customer propositions and ensures agreements are executed in full. Success requires strong UK grocery channel / retail knowledge, disciplined P&L ownership, excellent negotiation capability and the agility to grow a developing category within a high-growth business.
Your main responsibilities will include:
1. Customer Strategy, Joint Business Planning & Relationships:
- Develop and execute customer strategies aligned to commercial priorities and brand goals.
- Build joint business plans covering assortment, distribution, pricing, promotion, visibility and innovation.
- Lead business reviews, range reviews, innovation presentations and performance updates.
- Identify growth opportunities across hypermarkets and supermarkets.
2. Commercial Negotiation & Revenue Growth
- Lead annual negotiations and commercial discussions in line with strategy & customer needs.
- Negotiate listings, distribution, pricing, promotions, visibility, activation and terms to drive sustainable growth.
3. Customer P&L, Trade Investment & Financial Management
- Own customer P&L delivery across net sales, margin, trade spend, deductions and contribution.
- Build budgets, forecasts and investment plans with clear assumptions, risks and opportunities.
- Assess promotions and commercial investments through ROI, post-analysis and incremental profitability.
4. Portfolio, Category & In-Market Execution
- Deliver the right assortment, distribution, shelf position, availability, pricing and promotional execution.
- Develop consumer pricing guidance based on strategy and market evidence, respecting retailer resale pricing independence.
5. Forecasting, Supply & Operational Excellence
- Provide accurate SKU-level forecasts across baseline, promotion, innovation and distribution changes.
6. Cross-Functional Leadership & Market Intelligence
- Lead the cross-functional customer team around priorities, decisions and action plans.
- Provide concise updates on performance, risks, opportunities and recommendations to UK leadership team.
- Track customer strategy, competitor activity, category trends and retail practices, turning insight into action.
Qualifications
UK Citizenship and/or a valid work permit is required. Please note that relocation assistance is not available for this position. All applications must be submitted in English, as it is the company’s corporate language.
- University degree qualification in business, sales, marketing, finance or a related discipline preferred. Equivalent relevant FMCG experience may be considered.
- Typically 5 or more years of progressive FMCG commercial experience, including proven (National) Account Management responsibility within UK grocery retail.
- Demonstrated success leading complex negotiations, building joint business plans and developing credible relationships with retail stakeholders.
- Strong customer P&L management, trade investment, forecasting and analytical capability. Able to balance growth, margin and customer value creation.
- Good understanding of assortment, distribution, pricing, promotion, merchandising, innovation and field execution within FMCG.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. Comfortable with CRM, forecasting, syndicated market data and customer portal tools.
- Based within practical commuting distance of the UKI Support Centre in Richmond, London. Willing and able to travel regularly to customer offices with occassional visits to Amsterdam Head Office.
- Highly organized, autonomous, proactive and commercially driven, with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to represent Link Snacks positively and deliver results consistently.
Additional Information
Our benefits
At Link Snacks, you’ll find a competitive compensation and benefits package that supports performance, flexibility, and employee well-being!
- A competitive salary aligned with your experience and an excellent bonus scheme (above market)
- In addition to public holidays, you will benefit from 27 days of paid annual leave to rest, recharge, and maintain a healthy work–life balance.
- Hybrid working model, because we believe the future of work is based on a modern, adaptable, and agile workplace culture. 3 days from our office in Richmond and 2 home office days.
- Group Income Protection, Private Medical Insurance & Group Life Insurance
- Pension Scheme, we support your long-term financial well-being through a company-supported pension plan.
- You will be part of a vibrant, dynamic, and international team! Throughout the year, we organize a variety of team activities and initiatives designed to strengthen collaboration, encourage knowledge sharing, and foster a strong sense of belonging.
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
Link Snacks provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic that is protected by federal, state or local law.
