Asahi UK (AUK), part of Asahi Europe & International Ltd, aims to enrich consumer experiences through innovation, high-quality service and an exceptional portfolio of premium beer, ale and cider brands including, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Asahi Super Dry, Meantime, Fuller’s London Pride and Cornish Orchards. Our aim is to be the leading super premium beer business in the UK, through a brand mix that creates a compelling proposition. At AUK we operate as an end to end business unit responsible for sales, marketing, customer operations, production, supply chain and wholesale operations in the UK & Ireland. For further information, visit www.asahibeer.co.uk

Asahi Europe & International is a subsidiary of Asahi Group Holdings Ltd, a global beverage and food company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Japan. Employing > 12,000 people, Asahi Europe & International is the custodian for leading super premium lager brands Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Grolsch, Asahi Super Dry, plus international Czech lager brands, Pilsner Urquell and Kozel. The business has world-class brewing and production facilities in 8 markets – UK, NL, ITL, PL, CZ, SK, HU, RO. In most of these markets, we are the leading brewer with full portfolio of famous brands. Commercial operations in other parts of Europe, USA, Canada, LatAm, Africa and Asia are served through our global distribution network. With state-of-the-art facilities, some of the best brewers in the world, quality ingredients, and a culture based on innovation and collaboration, Asahi offers the best quality of beer to beer lovers worldwide. More information can be found at www.asahiinternational.com

Key Account Manager - High Street

The Key Account Manager (KAM) High Street will assist and contribute towards the development and implementation of AUK’s business strategy with The Stonegate Group L&T division and Wetherspoons:

• Successfully build and maintain relationships with key Area/Regional Managers and Divisional/Regional Managers, Marketing teams, Procurement and Supply Chain. 
• Work collaboratively with Trade Marketing and Brand Ambassadors to drive advocacy and increased RoS across the AUK portfolio
• Activate with excellence bringing our brands to life to consumers and delivering success stories to drive enhanced distribution of the AUK portfolio
• Work with commercial finance and PRGM to ensure maximum return for AUK 

Focus on delivering a growth plan within your ledger through commercial excellence and superior relationships with our key customers at all levels renegotiating expiring deals to either maintain or grow AUK’s share of bar. 

Key Accountabilities:

The Key Account Manager – High Street is responsible for the following key outputs and accountabilities:

• To be a key contact for Area/Regional/General Managers/Marketing/
• Operations/Procurement throughout the Stonegate L&T division across the country.
• Develop and deliver against commercial JBP objectives on ROS & Installs 
• Take ownership of delivery of JBPs through execution of extensive Activation and Quality programmes   
• Manage trade Investment budget in line with contractual terms and commercial plans and evaluate the effectiveness of activity.
• Retain and grow existing business, identify and nurture new opportunities
• Liaise with CDE team on calls in strategic account outlets to maximise and  implement Sales Drivers, train staff and build advocacy and ensure objectives are met
• Liaise with customer services team to maintain database and ensure timely installations for draught products as required, as well as consistent supply of glassware and POS to accounts. Seek to make these processes as efficient as possible for AUK.
• Communicate regularly with 3rd party logistics partners to ensure consistent supply of POS and glassware
• Deliver against an extensive Customer Contact Matrix that will involve Marketing / Brand Managers & Area Managers accross the Stonegate Group
• Track and report on monthly sales out data to identify and address issues and opportunities 
• Liaise with Trade Marketing, Insight & Category to share insight on customer, consumer and competition and tailor and lead the evaluation of key sales driver led activations
• To be an expert at Perfect Pour & Brand Knowledge
• To have a working knowledge of draught beer technology
• Full ownership and P&L responsibility for own account base
• Manage and maintain SKU volume, NPR and GM forecasting for account base
• Support SNAM on High Street ledger on brand trials, training and marketing execution

Experience Required

• Experience in dealing with key outlets, General Managers and Regional Managers within significant Multiple On Trade businesses.
• An understanding of the Business Model of premium brands.
• Considerable knowledge of the UK beer market.
• Experience at dealing at a senior level within multiple accounts in the On Trade.
• A track record of ability to build superior customer relationships.
• Experience in presenting, persuading, negotiating with a broad range of audiences
• Budget management and control.
• Experience in working with, influencing, leading colleagues across different functions.
• Demonstrated structured selling and negotiation skills.

Key Attributes of the Successful Person

• Highly self-motivated and ambitious
• Articulate and numerate
• Responsible and trustworthy 
• Enterprise wide, aligned team player
• Analytical, focussed thinker
• Resilient with courage and conviction to stand by decisions that you believe in
• Question the norm & positively challenge the way we/customers operate
• Solution based thinker with strong commercial acumen. Ability to think ‘outside the box’, to identify opportunity and move to deliver action through the team.
• Will be an enthusiastic team player with a strong drive to create a positive work environment 
• Culture fit is non-negotiable - have high energy and flexibility, fantastic communication skills and huge amounts of drive 
• Comfortable with high volume workload, be able to manage multiple priorities with excellent organisational skills and not be afraid to "roll up your sleeves" 
• Strong internal and external customer service focus 
• Ability to develop strong working relations and influence at all organisational levels 
• Bias for action, strong work ethic, and desire to achieve excellence 
• Valid driving license 
• A field/home-based role:  Significant travel with expected 75% of working time spent in trade.

What We Offer

• Car Allowance
• Bonus
• Private Pension
• Private Medical and Dental
• Life Assurance
• Free Beer

We are committed to nurturing a workplace where we celebrate and respect difference, and support everyone to be true to who they are! At Asahi Europe and International we believe you can SHINE AS YOU ARE - no matter your age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs.  We want to support you to be courageous in your individuality and to know that whoever you are and whatever your circumstances, you can belong with us without having to conform.