Senior Customer Account Manager - Homecare Category
Employer: Unilever
Location: Kingston Upon Thames, England, United Kingdom
Salary: Competitive
Closing date: 27 Mar 2025
Job Title: Senior Customer Account Manager - Homecare Category
Location: Kingston Office 2 Days per Week
Function: Customer Development
Terms & Conditions: Full time
JOB PURPOSE
The Senior Customer Account Manager will be responsible for building strong working relationships with the customer buying team; developing and executing customer business plans at a category level which deliver USG, Market Share and Profitability. They are accountable for the day-to-day contact with customer buyers, supply chain, shopper marketing, category & brand contacts as well as building strong relationships with the Retail Media team.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Line Management
* Line Management of 1 x Customer Account Executive and 1 x Degree Level Apprentice
Building Strong and Sustainable Customer Relationships
* Negotiate effectively with the customer, e.g. to agree trade terms, trade funding and securing counterparts according to the Unilever strategy on his/her categories.
* Manage the relationship aspects of key retailer 'events', e.g. launching of new products, cost price changes, trade terms.
* Manage promotional and non-promotional investments with the customer and ensure all agreements are properly executed and documented.
* Work closely with Customer Experience Specialists, Customer Planners and other cross functional members within Unilever to ensure administrative aspects of promotions are completed.
Lead the Customer Strategy Development and Major Category Initiatives
* Develop and deliver the customer strategic business plan for relevant categories, and the joint customer business plan, working closely with Category Managers and Shopper Marketing.
* Develop and deliver an optimal integrated category promotional plan including selling the plan to the customer.
* Manage the launch of new products with the customer, e.g. selling in the new product, providing samples and developing best in class launch plans.
* Ensure effective in-store activation of key events (e.g. promotions, range reviews), providing clear briefings to the Retail Operations Team.
* Business Planning, sales updates, in store tracking, price claim management etc.
* Delivery of required admin for the customer - pricing, rebates, NLF's, promo proposals, trade terms, contracts.
Be Accountable for Financial Performance of Categories Within Area of Responsibility
* Manage the customer P&L for relevant categories and the overall level of customer investment.
* Manage in-month performance vs forecast, working closely with all cross functional team members.
* Manage accruals and pricing accurately and efficiently.
* Ensure customer is compliant with agreed trade terms; where these are breached seek a resolution and monitor implementation.
* Full P&L Management: Delivery of Turnover & Business Building Terms targets for specific category.
* S&OP Forecasting.
* Provision of clear up to date inputs into Business Processes (e.g. promotional evaluation).
WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED
Experiences & Qualifications
* Prior commercial experience and experience of full P&L management is essential.
* Proven history of working within a team environment.
* Prior experience of leading and developing a direct report preferable.
* Minimum 3 years relevant Account Management experience.
* Prior experience in Category Management is preferable however not essential.
Skills
* Customer management & selling essentials.
* Strong Communication skills.
* Experience of leveraging big customer relationships.
* Proactive and curious mindset.
* Stakeholder management.
* Strong negotiation skills.
Key Unilever Behaviours
* PASSION FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE: Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results. Has an owner's mindset, using data and insight to make decisions.
* PERSONAL MASTERY: Sets high standards for themselves. Actively builds own wellbeing and resilience.
* CONSUMER LOVE: Whatever their role, always looks for better ways to serve consumers. Invests time inside and outside to understand the needs of consumers.
* PURPOSE & SERVICE: Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside Unilever.
* AGILITY: Explores the world around them, continually learning and developing their skills.
#J-18808-Ljbffr