Account Development Manager - South London

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Account Development Manager - South London

🔹 Company: Asahi Europe & International

🔹 Location: London, City of, United Kingdom

🔹 Job Type: On-site

🔹 Category: Sales & Business Development

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-15

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Managing key customer accounts to ensure retention and organic growth
• Developing joint business plans with outlets and Route to Market partners
• Identifying new business opportunities through excellent territory knowledge
• Working closely with the CDE sales team to ensure brand development
• Monitoring and evaluating activity, sharing best practice within the team

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of account management and new business development skills, with a focus on premium brands and building a portfolio.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ 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 database 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 CDE sales team to ensure appropriate activations are delivered in line with agreed joint business plans

✅ Assist 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

ASSUMPTION: The role 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.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Not specified

Experience: Proven sales record within major FMCG or drinks company

Required Skills:

• Strong account management experience
• Ability to deliver and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Structured selling skills, adaptable to a premium environment
• Understanding of brand plans at Point of Purchase
• Highly self-motivated, with the ability to work independently
• Ability to present and communicate to a high standard

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with premium brands
• Understanding of the value of building a portfolio
• Ability to build mutually beneficial business planning (JBPs)
• Initiative with a balanced approach
• Good understanding of current product and its market position

ASSUMPTION: A degree or relevant qualification in Business, Marketing, or a related field may be beneficial but is not always required.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £45,000 - £55,000 per annum (Estimated based on industry standards for a mid-level sales role in London)

Benefits:

• Competitive benefits package
• Opportunities for career progression
• Working for a global beverage company with a portfolio of premium brands

Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with some evening and weekend work required

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a mid-level sales role in London. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Food and Beverage Services. Asahi Europe & International is a subsidiary of Asahi Group Holdings Ltd, a global beverage and food company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Japan.

Company Size: 10,001+ employees. As a large company, Asahi Europe & International offers extensive resources and opportunities for career growth.

Founded: Not specified. Asahi Group Holdings Ltd was founded in 1906, and Asahi Europe & International is a subsidiary of the group.

Company Description:

• Asahi Europe & International is the custodian for leading super premium lager brands such as 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 and commercial operations in other parts of Europe, USA, Canada, LatAm, Africa and Asia served through its global distribution network.
• Asahi Europe & International is committed to conducting its business responsibly, with regard to the environment and society, and offers a wide choice of non-alcoholic options.

Company Specialties:

• Beverages
• Beer
• Cider
• Brewery
• Breweries
• And brewing

Company Website: http://www.asahiinternational.com

ASSUMPTION: Asahi Europe & International is a large, global company with a strong focus on premium beer brands and responsible business practices.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level. This role is suitable for candidates with 5-10 years of experience in sales or a related field.

Reporting Structure: The Account Development Manager reports to the Regional Sales Manager and works closely with the Director of Sales and the CDE sales team.

Work Arrangement: On-site, with extensive travel throughout a defined territory and some evening and weekend work required.

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression to a senior sales role or management position within the company
• Expansion of territory or responsibilities based on performance
• Opportunities to work on special projects or initiatives

ASSUMPTION: As a large company with a global presence, Asahi Europe & International offers numerous opportunities for career growth and development.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Corporate office with a modern and collaborative work environment.

Office Location(s): Woking, Surrey, United Kingdom

Geographic Context:

• The role is based in South London, with a focus on managing key customer accounts within the region.
• London is a major global city with a diverse economy and a thriving food and beverage industry.
• The role may require travel to other parts of the United Kingdom and internationally.

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with some evening and weekend work required.

ASSUMPTION: The role involves extensive travel throughout a defined territory, which may require overnight stays and some flexibility in working hours.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video screening
• Face-to-face interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
• Final interview with the Director of Sales

Key Assessment Areas:

• Sales skills and experience
• Account management experience
• Project management skills
• Communication and presentation skills
• Alignment with company values and culture

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your sales experience and account management skills
• Prepare examples of successful sales strategies and account management plans you've implemented in the past
• Research Asahi Europe & International and the beer industry to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the role

ATS Keywords: Sales, Account Management, Project Management, Structured Selling, Brand Understanding, Self-Motivation, Communication, Initiative, Customer Relationship Management, Business Planning, Networking, Territory Knowledge, Training, Evaluation, Reporting, Collaboration

ASSUMPTION: As a large company with a global presence, Asahi Europe & International may use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to manage and screen job applications. Including relevant keywords in your resume can help your application to be shortlisted.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• CRM system (not specified)
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Salesforce (possible, as it's a common CRM used in the industry)

ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used in this role may vary depending on the company's internal systems and processes.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Passion for our brands
• Customer focus
• Collaboration
• Integrity
• Responsibility

Work Style:

• Self-motivated and independent
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Adaptable and flexible
• Results-driven
• Customer-focused

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How have you demonstrated your passion for premium beer brands in your previous roles?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you worked collaboratively with a team to achieve a sales target?
• How do you balance the need to meet sales targets with maintaining strong customer relationships?

ASSUMPTION: Asahi Europe & International values employees who are passionate about their brands, customer-focused, collaborative, and results-driven.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Extensive travel throughout a defined territory, which may require overnight stays and some flexibility in working hours
• Managing a large number of key customer accounts and developing joint business plans for each outlet
• Identifying new business opportunities and delivering new draught installations for key brands
• Working with Route to Market partners to develop customer activity plans in line with channel requirements

ASSUMPTION: The role involves a significant amount of travel and requires strong organizational skills to manage multiple customer accounts and projects simultaneously.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to a Key Account Manager or National Account Manager position, with a focus on developing and maintaining customer relationships and driving organic growth
• Unlike other sales roles, this position requires a balance of account management and new business development skills, with a focus on premium brands and building a portfolio
• Career progression in this role may lead to senior sales or management positions within the company

ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on premium beer brands and building a portfolio, requiring a balance of account management and new business development skills.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a joint business plan with a key customer outlet to increase sales of a premium beer brand
• Identifying new business opportunities within a defined territory and delivering new draught installations for key brands
• Working with Route to Market partners to develop customer activity plans in line with channel requirements and delivering activations in line with agreed joint business plans

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are based on the key responsibilities and required skills listed in the job description.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does this role fit into the overall sales strategy for Asahi Europe & International in the UK?
• What opportunities are there for career progression within the company?
• How does the company support work-life balance for employees in this role?
• What is the company's approach to responsible drinking and how does this role contribute to that?

ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to provide insight into the role's priorities, the company's sales strategy, career progression opportunities, work-life balance, and the company's approach to responsible drinking.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your sales experience and account management skills
• Prepare examples of successful sales strategies and account management plans you've implemented in the past
• Research Asahi Europe & International and the beer industry to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the role
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.