📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Key Account Director
🔹 Company: STARK Building Materials UK
🔹 Location: Home-Based England
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Building Materials Distribution
🔹 Date Posted: April 10, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (80% field-based, 20% office-based)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Managing a portfolio of 50 key accounts in London and the South East
- Developing trusted relationships with customers to maintain and improve profitability
- Simplifying the customer experience and ensuring close management of owned accounts
- Acquiring a thorough understanding of customer needs and requirements
- Collaborating with all functions and branch teams to leverage opportunities
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of autonomy and self-motivation, as the position is 80% field-based.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Manage a portfolio of 50 key accounts in London and the South East
✅ Develop and maintain strong, long-lasting customer relationships
✅ Achieve and exceed sales targets and key performance indicators (KPIs)
✅ Collaborate with internal teams to ensure customer needs are met and opportunities are leveraged
✅ Provide regular reports on account activity and performance
✅ Travel extensively within the assigned territory, with occasional overnight stays
ASSUMPTION: This role may require flexibility to work outside of regular business hours to meet customer needs and attend industry events.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: Proven successful experience (5-10 years) in managing key account sales activity and driving results within the construction materials distribution industry
Required Skills:
- Solid background in a construction materials distribution business
- Ideally, experience with insulation, fire protection, or dry lining products
- Proven track record of managing key accounts and driving sales growth
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM software
- Valid driving license
Preferred Skills:
- Fluency in additional languages (e.g., French, Spanish)
- Experience with Salesforce or similar CRM platforms
- Knowledge of the local market and customer base
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in a similar role within the building materials industry are strongly preferred.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £55,000 - £65,000 per annum (based on industry standards for a Key Account Director role with 5-10 years of experience)
Benefits:
- Company Car or Allowance
- Attractive performance bonus scheme
- Retirement Savings Plan (Pension)
- Life Assurance
- WorkPerks – Employee discounts and perks platform
- Aviva Digicare+ Workplace App – Access to digital GP, mental health consultations, and more
- Voluntary company benefits (e.g., Car Salary Sacrifice scheme, Cycle2Work, Benenden Healthcare)
- Employee Discount
- Refer a Friend scheme
- Wellbeing Centre via WorkPerks
- New Reward and Recognition programme
- 34 days holiday per year
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexibility to work outside of regular business hours as needed
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Key Account Director role with 5-10 years of experience. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's qualifications and experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Building Materials Distribution
Company Size: 5,001-10,000 employees (part of STARK Building Materials UK)
Founded: 1836 (as Jewson, now part of STARK Building Materials UK)
Company Description:
- STARK Building Materials UK is a leading building materials distributor in Northern Europe
- Connects suppliers of heavy building materials with professional craftsmen who build, renovate, and maintain cities
- Offers a wide range of supplies, including building materials, roofing, landscaping, kitchens, and bathrooms
Company Specialties:
- Building Materials
- Tool Hire
- Landscaping
- Doors and Joinery
- Timber
- Insulation
- Bricks and Blocks
- Kitchens and Bathrooms
- Roofing
- Painting and Decorating
Company Website: http://www.jewson.co.uk
ASSUMPTION: As part of STARK Building Materials UK, the company offers a strong culture built on passionate and dedicated people who thrive in taking responsibility and challenging the status quo.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-Senior level role, offering opportunities for career progression within the company
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Regional Sales Manager or equivalent
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (80% field-based, 20% office-based) with extensive travel within the assigned territory
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a Regional Sales Manager or similar role
- Expanding the key account portfolio and taking on additional responsibilities
- Gaining exposure to different aspects of the business and developing leadership skills
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within the company, as well as the chance to make a significant impact on the business's success.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (Home-Based England with occasional office visits)
Office Location(s): Coventry, West Midlands (headquarters)
Geographic Context:
- London and the South East of England
- Diverse customer base, including large construction companies, independent builders, and contractors
- Opportunity to work with a wide range of building materials and products
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexibility to work outside of regular business hours as needed
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of self-motivation and the ability to work independently, as well as strong communication and interpersonal skills to build and maintain effective relationships with customers and internal teams.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume submission
- Phone or video screening with the HR department
- Face-to-face or video interview with the hiring manager and/or regional sales manager
- Final interview with the regional director or equivalent
- Job offer and onboarding
Key Assessment Areas:
- Sales and negotiation skills
- Customer relationship management
- Industry knowledge and understanding of the local market
- Problem-solving and decision-making abilities
- Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced environment
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of the construction materials industry and the local market
- Prepare examples of your successful key account management and sales growth strategies
- Showcase your ability to build and maintain strong customer relationships
- Be ready to discuss your long-term career goals and how this role fits into your plans
ATS Keywords: Key Account Management, Sales Activity Management, Customer Relationship Development, Construction Materials Knowledge, Insulation Products Knowledge, Fire Protection Products Knowledge, Dry Lining Products Knowledge, Driving Licence
ASSUMPTION: The application process may vary depending on the specific needs of the hiring manager and the company's current recruitment practices.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce)
- Customer relationship management tools
- Sales performance and reporting tools
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM software is essential for this role. Familiarity with additional tools and technologies may be beneficial but is not always required.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Passionate and dedicated employees who thrive in taking responsibility
- Challenging the status quo and driving continuous improvement
- Strong customer focus and commitment to delivering excellent service
Work Style:
- Self-motivated and independent, with the ability to work remotely and manage time effectively
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships
- Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a proven track record of managing key accounts and driving sales growth within the construction materials industry?
- Are you comfortable working independently and managing your time effectively in a remote setting?
- Do you possess strong communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective customer relationships?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with the company's values and possess the required work style are more likely to be successful in this role and within the organization.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a large portfolio of key accounts, with the need to prioritize and balance multiple priorities
- Working extensively within the assigned territory, with occasional overnight stays and travel
- Adapting to a fast-paced and dynamic work environment, with the need to be resilient and adaptable
- Developing a deep understanding of the local market and customer base, with the ability to tailor strategies and approaches accordingly
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome by strong organizational skills, effective time management, and a proactive approach to customer relationship management.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Key Account Director vs. Regional Sales Manager: Key Account Directors focus on managing a specific portfolio of key accounts, while Regional Sales Managers oversee a broader geographic territory and may have responsibility for multiple product lines or business units
- Key Account Director vs. Business Development Manager: Key Account Directors focus on maintaining and growing existing customer relationships, while Business Development Managers focus on identifying and pursuing new business opportunities
- Career progression: Key Account Directors with a strong track record of success may have opportunities to progress to Regional Sales Manager or similar roles, with increased responsibilities and broader scope
ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities and challenges compared to similar roles within the industry, and candidates should consider their personal and professional goals when evaluating the fit of this position.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a strategic account plan for a key customer, with a focus on growing sales and improving profitability
- Conducting a market analysis and competitive landscape assessment to identify opportunities for growth and differentiation
- Collaborating with internal teams to develop and execute targeted marketing campaigns, with a focus on driving customer engagement and loyalty
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are intended to provide an overview of the types of initiatives and activities that may be required in this role. The specific projects and priorities may vary depending on the needs of the business and the current market conditions.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does this role fit into the company's overall sales strategy and growth plans?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the key account portfolio, and how can I address them effectively?
- How does the company support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the expectations for travel and overnight stays within this role?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are intended to provide a better understanding of the role, the company, and the expectations for success. Candidates should tailor their questions to their specific interests and concerns.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your successful key account management and sales growth strategies
- Be ready to discuss your long-term career goals and how this role fits into your plans
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR department one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
