Solent Group work with a diverse portfolio of Retailers and supply bespoke products within various categories, including Health & Beauty, Household Impulse Snacking and Reusable Bags. We are proud to be best-in-class when it comes to own-label product innovation. Our Categories are fast-paced with ever-evolving trends and a host of ground-breaking products coming to market on a regular basis – we add value to retailers by leading and owning each category.

Here at Solent we want people to be extraordinary. We pride ourselves on creating and producing amazing products and brands for our Global Customers. You will be joining a company with offices globally across South Africa, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Vietnam, and the UK.

With our entrepreneurial spirit and drive to succeed we need a dynamic Foods National Account Controller to build relationships with our customers and suppliers to drive sales into top 6 grocers. You’ll develop existing accounts and look for new business to add to our already prestigious portfolio. You will plan and oversee all aspects of the projects and meet the desired goals and KPIs. You will oversee the organisation and scheduling of people, tasks and resources to maximise Solent’s profitability while developing retailer private label range but also launch and drive sales of brands within the Humble group into UK grocers.

DIVISION/DEPT: Commercial Department

REPORT TO: Commercial Director

LOCATION: Hybrid - Commuting distance to Christchurch, Dorset

Key Responsibilities:

• Bring your passion and enthusiasm to grow existing customers while generating new business using your love for sales, winning business and relentless focus on cross function business KPIs
• Ability to work independently alongside a pre-set sales strategy to achieve account specific budgets while also leading projects cross functionally to ensure delivery on time, on spec and in budget
• Formulate customer specific sales plan/strategy, in-line with commercial targets
• Understand customer KPIs, targets and review performance against these
• Be resourceful and employ innovative solutions to deliver value, gross margin & volume targets for your customers and brands
• Assigning, monitor and co-ordinate project milestones and progress, with both internal and external stakeholders
• Lead and plan the implementation of your projects (resource, relationship allocation) both internally and externally
• Drive innovation and NPD via market research and pursue ambitious growth opportunities in your customers
• Contribute to the wider commercial team and support other colleagues with their accounts. Share your ideas and help contribute to team goals and company growth ambitions

About you:

• Minimum 3 years’ experience of supplying foods to top 6 retail
• Retail/FMCG experience essential, ideally top 6 grocers within private label
• Supply of branded foods experience into top 6 grocer is advantageous but not essential
• Strong commercial acumen and account management skills
• Proven experience within the food product category
• P&L management experience
• Line management experience
• Detail orientated with an ability to multi-task and set priorities
• Experience in Critical Path Management
• Resource planning & allocation
• Project Risk Assessment
• Proficient user of Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Excel, and PowerPoint

In turn we offer:

• Competitive salary with annual salary reviews
• 25 days holiday per annum, increasing to 27 days after 3 years’ service and 30 days after 5 years’ service
• Extensive benefits program including buying additional holiday, medical cash plan, access to mental health support and many other benefits
• Flexible hours and work from home available to all staff
• Great learning and development and progression opportunities · Yearly bonus structure (based on company targets)
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave
• Generous Company Sick Pay
• Pension Scheme Contribution
• Solent social events run by our inhouse Social Team
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Dress down Fridays
• Free parking on Christchurch Quay