Key Account Manager – Printed Packaging

Location: Kent
Salary: Up to £70,000 DOE
Package: Target-based bonus and company car or car allowance
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm - Hybrid

The Company

I am supporting a well-established manufacturer of litho-printed folding cartons and retail packaging that provides a complete service spanning packaging design, manufacture and distribution. It works with major brands across the homecare, health, beauty, cosmetics, food and beverage, and home entertainment markets.

The company has an excellent working environment and a close-knit team, so a positive attitude, collaborative approach and strong cultural fit will be particularly important.

The Role

They are looking for an experienced Key Account Manager to take responsibility for an established portfolio of high-profile customers, across health and beauty, cosmetics, food and drink sectors.

You will act as the main point of contact for your accounts, building long-term relationships, maintaining excellent service levels and identifying opportunities for profitable growth. Alongside developing existing customers, you will also generate new business and support the company’s wider commercial strategy. The successful candidate will have strong technical knowledge, a production-based background would be highly advantageous.

Working closely with two Business Development Managers and internal design, customer service, production and distribution teams, you will ensure projects are managed effectively from the initial brief through to completion.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and develop a portfolio of established key accounts.
• Build trusted, long-term relationships with customer stakeholders at all levels.
• Create and deliver account development plans aligned with commercial objectives.
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue through new products, projects and services.
• Generate new business within the company’s target markets.
• Manage customer enquiries and project briefs from initial receipt through to delivery.
• Ensure customer requirements are clearly understood and communicated internally.
• Prepare proposals, quotations, forecasts and account reviews.
• Negotiate commercial agreements while protecting profitability.
• Monitor account performance and work towards agreed sales and growth targets.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the company’s products, market position and competitors.
• Attend customer meetings, industry events and relevant conferences.
• Keep up to date with developments and trends across the printed packaging market.
• Deliver consistently high standards of customer service and resolve issues proactively.

Skills and Experience

• At least five years’ experience within printed packaging is essential.
• Strong knowledge of litho-printed folding cartons or closely related retail packaging products.
• Proven experience in key account management, sales or business development.
• A demonstrable track record of retaining and growing valuable customer accounts.
• Experience working with brands in markets such as homecare, health, beauty or cosmetics would be advantageous.
• The ability and appetite to generate new business alongside managing existing accounts.
• Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of pricing, margins and profitable growth.
• Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder-management skills.
• Confident negotiation, presentation and communication abilities.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple customer projects simultaneously.
• Proactive, personable and comfortable working within a collaborative team environment.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to customer meetings when required.

Ref: 1698894