National Account Manager Foodservice Sales Required

At Home Market Foods, a significant opportunity has arisen for a dynamic and results-oriented individual to take on the crucial role of National Account Manager within their Foodservice sales division. This position is ideal for a seasoned professional with a deep understanding of the South African foodservice landscape and a talent for identifying and nurturing lucrative national accounts. If you possess a hunter's mentality and a proven ability to forge and sustain strong relationships within diverse foodservice segments, this remote role offers the chance to make a substantial impact.

About the role

This pivotal role is centred on the strategic acquisition and expansion of key national accounts across the entire foodservice trade channel. You will be instrumental in identifying untapped potential, developing new business opportunities, and cultivating existing relationships to drive sustainable growth. The focus will be on building a robust portfolio of national accounts, with a particular emphasis on strategic chain accounts, emerging growth customers, and entirely new business ventures. Your success will be measured not only by revenue generation but also by overall volume, margin improvement, distribution expansion, and the successful introduction of innovative solutions that enhance profitability.

Your responsibilities as National Account Manager will be multifaceted and will demand a proactive, strategic approach. You will be tasked with ownership and growth of an existing portfolio of national foodservice accounts. This includes developing and meticulously executing comprehensive customer-specific business plans. These plans should be both annual and multi-year in scope and meticulously designed to meet and exceed objectives related to revenue, volume, margin, distribution, and innovation.

A significant part of your mandate will involve identifying, rigorously qualifying, and expertly advancing new account opportunities. This requires the consistent and proactive building of a strong, well-managed sales pipeline. You will need to leverage your commercial acumen and deep customer insights to understand the unique needs of each client and tailor your approach accordingly. Experience with both established branded products and bespoke protein solutions will be highly advantageous in meeting the diverse demands of the foodservice sector.

What they're looking for

Home Market Foods is seeking an individual who not only understands the nuances of the foodservice industry but has a demonstrable history of success within national accounts. A proven track record of building, expanding, and maintaining strong customer relationships across a variety of foodservice segments is essential. This role demands strong commercial discipline, meaning a keen understanding of market dynamics, pricing strategies, and profitability drivers.

Candidates should possess excellent analytical skills to develop insightful business plans and a forward-thinking mindset to identify and capitalise on emerging opportunities. Strong communication and negotiation skills are paramount, as you will be the primary point of contact for key national clients. An understanding of branded and custom protein solutions within the foodservice context would be a significant asset, enabling you to effectively present and sell Home Market Foods' innovative offerings.

In the South African context, a National Account Manager in the foodservice sector typically commands a competitive salary, often supplemented by performance-based incentives and commissions. Employers can range from large food manufacturers and distributors to specialist food service providers. Career progression often involves moving into senior management roles, regional management, or even broader commercial leadership positions within the industry.

• Proven track record in national accounts within the foodservice industry.
• Strong commercial discipline and customer insight.
• Experience with branded and custom protein solutions.