UK & European Key Account Manager

Key Account Manager

Plastics Manufacturing

£45,000–£50,000 basic salary + £6,000 Car Allowance + Bonus

Company Overview

An established UK plastics manufacturer supplies products used across a range of industries. The business is hiring a Key Account Manager to grow an existing portfolio of customers and distribution partners across the UK and Europe.

The role offers scope to deepen customer relationships, increase sales through distribution and identify new applications for the product range. Candidates from plastics, technical products or other manufacturing sectors are encouraged to apply.

Job Overview

Reporting to the Commercial Director, the Key Account Manager will spend around 80% of their time retaining and growing existing accounts and 20% developing new business. The role is customer facing at least three days per week, with internal sales support for quotations and access to technical and production teams. Success means meeting the sales budget, building stronger distributor relationships and turning new product applications into repeat sales.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of key accounts and distributors across the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe, prioritising visits where they can make the biggest commercial difference.
• Run regular account reviews to improve retention, increase sales and introduce additional products across customer sites and branches.
• Work with distributors and resellers on product promotions, branch engagement and campaigns targeting new customer sectors.
• Lead pricing discussions, commercial negotiations and renewals within agreed guidelines.
• Qualify inbound enquiries and identify opportunities to win new customers, develop distribution partnerships and find new applications for the product range.
• Work with internal sales, technical and production teams to turn customer requirements into accurate quotes and realistic delivery commitments.
• Maintain accurate CRM records, track the sales pipeline and produce monthly reports and rolling three-month forecasts.
• Share customer feedback, competitor activity and market pricing with the commercial team to inform sales plans.

Person Specification

• Proven experience in field-based B2B key account management, national accounts or technical sales within an SME manufacturing environment.
• Track record of growing existing accounts, developing distributors or resellers and winning new business through proactive prospecting.
• Commercial understanding of pricing, margins, quotations, manufacturing lead times and production schedules.
• Confidence negotiating with buyers and procurement teams and building relationships across distributor branches and head offices.
• Ability to use sales data and CRM systems to prioritise accounts, manage opportunities and forecast accurately.
• Experience in plastics, industrial products, sheet materials, agricultural products or construction materials would be advantageous.
• Full driving licence and willingness to drive in mainland Europe and stay away overnight when required.

Benefits

• Up to £50,000 basic salary.
• 10% performance bonus with quarterly and annual elements.
• £6,000 car allowance.
• Private healthcare.
• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Home-based working with internal sales support for quotations.

Next Steps

Interested candidates are invited to apply with a CV or contact John Nesbitt at Aspion for a confidential conversation.

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