Account Manager - Drinks

Our client is seeking an experienced Account Manager to drive growth across the on-trade drinks sector. This is a field-based role, requiring regular travel across your designated territory to visit pubs, bars, restaurants, and hospitality venues. The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering agreed margin targets, expanding the customer base, retaining key accounts, and increasing spend per account through effective category management and up-selling. This role requires a proactive individual who can represent our client in the marketplace while also acting as the voice of the customer internally.

Salary: £40k to £50k DOE

Bonus: A discretionary 20% bonus may be granted annually, subject to performance against defined KPIs.

• Deliver allocated margin targets for the territory.

• Achieve new business growth through opening and developing trading accounts.

• Retain and develop existing accounts, maximising revenue through up-selling and category expansion.

• Manage the debt ledger for your area, ensuring accurate completion of account forms and timely payment collection.

• Work closely with brand partners to deliver against agreed targets for drive brands.

• Provide exceptional customer service at all times, taking full responsibility for accounts from onboarding to ongoing relationship management.

• Liaise effectively with internal teams including telesales, credit control, sales support, distribution and administration.

• Oversee the organisation of technical installations for draught beer dispensing equipment.

• Consult with customers to provide impartial advice on promotional activity and category opportunities that help grow their businesses.

• Collaborate with brand representatives within your area to drive joint success.

• Actively promote our client’s own-brand portfolio alongside established industry brands.

• Proven track record in account management or sales within the drinks industry (on-trade preferred).

• Strong commercial acumen with experience achieving and exceeding sales and growth targets.

• In-depth knowledge of the UK drinks sector, including on-trade routes to market, customer challenges, and product trends.

• Experience in selling wine, spirits, beer or soft drinks into hospitality venues.

• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel and CRM systems for account management and reporting.

• Previous experience working with wholesalers, brewers, or drinks distributors is highly desirable.

• WSET Level 2 or above (preferred).

• Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.

• Strong teamwork and cross-departmental collaboration.

• Highly organised with the ability to manage a large portfolio of accounts.

• Customer-first mindset, with a consultative and solutions-driven approach.

If you fit the criteria and would like more info then please feel welcome to contact Jack Ibbotson in our Watford office on (phone number removed) or (url removed)

INDWF