Key Account Development Manager (Independent Trade)

Key Account Manager

Independent Trade

UK Sales team - Bromley

(Scotland and NE England region)

Lakeland Dairies Co-operative Society Limited (The Group) is the second largest dairy processor on the island of Ireland. The business is complex and ambitious with a milk supply pool of 2 billion litres of milk, drawn from over 3,200 family farms across 16 counties.

Applications are invited for the above position within our Foodservice Sales team.

The opportunity:

Are you a driven foodservice sales professional who thrives on winning new business, growing key accounts and taking ownership of your own territory? If this sounds like you then this is your opportunity to step in to a fast paced, customer-facing role where your results truly matter.

Our food service sales team are looking for a dynamic, self-motivated Key Account Manager to take charge of our Scotland and North East region, where they will retain, grow and unlock new business across distributors and key end user accounts. This is a role for someone who thrives on being on the road, working closely with customers, closing deals and building lasting, professional relationships.

This rewarding role is home based with the expectation of regular travel as above and off territory including the wider United Kingdom (e.g. Bromley Office as required) and Northern Ireland / Ireland.

What will success look like?

• Owning and growing a portfolio of existing customers, maximizing value and profitability.
• Building strong trusted relationships with key distributors and end users.
• Delivering sales and marketing strategies in your territory with precision and pace.
• Managing your pipeline, reporting and performing against clear KPI’s.
• Hunting for new business opportunities and converting leads in to long-term partnerships.
• Act as a brand ambassador, bringing energy, professionalism and commercial focus to every interaction.

What you will bring?

We’re seeking a commercially driven and ambitious sales professional with significant experience in the foodservice sector and a strong understanding of wholesale operations, systems and customer development. While not essential, an HNC/HND qualification (or equivalent) in Food Manufacturing, Sales & Marketing, Hospitality, or a related discipline would be advantageous.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record of identifying and securing new business opportunities, converting them into sustainable commercial growth. Highly organised and self-motivated, you will thrive working independently while maintaining a strong focus on delivering results and exceeding targets. You will possess excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills, alongside a solid understanding of budget management and commercial performance. Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications is essential, enabling you to effectively analyse data, manage reports and support business growth initiatives.

Travelling will be an essential part of the role and therefore the candidate must hold a valid full driving license.

The role is home based with the expectation of regular travel within the UK and Ireland, including to the Bromley Office as required.

If you have the necessary skills and attributes to meet this exciting opportunity in a dynamic, high volume and fast-moving business, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Application Process:

To apply for this role, please complete our online application process but no later than Monday 12th October 2026.

Lakeland Dairies Ltd is committed to having an inclusive workplace where every employee feels they belong. If you require accommodations to be made during the recruitment process or have questions relating to accessibility, please contact us at careers@lakelanddairies.com.

We are committed to equality and believe in building a diverse organisation that is representative of and responsive to the needs of our customers and stakeholders.

A NOTE FOR RECRUITMENT AGENCIES:

We prefer to hire people directly, but we do have a preferred supplier list for when we need a helping hand. We'll be in touch directly if we need you!

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