Centurion: National Key Accounts Manager

Roles and Responsibilities Job Title: National Key Account Manager (Protein / Commodities) Industry: Agricultural Commodities / Manufacturing / Food Ingredients Location: Irene, Gauteng Employment Type: Permanent | Full-Time Work Model: Hybrid 2 days work-from-home, 3 days office-based (subject to change based on management requirements) Salary: R600,000 R800,000 per annum Benefits: Medical Aid | Provident Fund | 13th Cheque Company Overview Our client operates within the agricultural commodities and manufacturing sector, supplying protein-based products into B2B markets nationally. The business services key accounts across industrial, food production and agricultural segments. They are seeking an experienced National Key Account Manager to manage, retain and grow strategic accounts while ensuring operational excellence, quality compliance and profitability. Role Overview This is a senior-level Key Account Management role reporting directly to the General Manager. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing and growing existing national key accounts across protein-based product lines. The role focuses on account retention, margin optimisation, contract management, quality compliance, demand forecasting and cross-functional coordination with production, logistics, finance and quality teams. Key Responsibilities Customer Relationship Management Build and maintain long-term relationships with key customers, traders and distributors Conduct regular account reviews and client visits Ensure consistent communication and service excellence Maintain strong client retention and contract stability Account Retention & Growth Protect and grow existing account volumes Identify cross-selling and upselling opportunities Monitor account profitability and optimise margins Deliver monthly account performance reporting Quality & Compliance products meet agreed quality specifications Manage and resolve quality-related disputes Liaise with quality teams to implement corrective actions Maintain compliance with food safety and internal policies Logistics & Operational Coordination Oversee transport scheduling and customer deliveries Monitor dispatch performance and turnaround times Resolve delivery-related issues promptly Ensure adherence to health & safety standards Account Planning & Forecasting Provide accurate demand forecasts to support production planning Monitor market trends, pricing and competitor activity Align account strategy with operational capacity Reporting & Collaboration Prepare and present monthly account and logistics performance reports Collaborate with production, finance, logistics and quality teams Proactively identify commercial and operational risks Innovation & Market Development Engage customers to understand evolving product requirements Support product improvements and customised solutions Monitor industry trends and competitor developments Minimum Requirements Grade 12 Relevant Bachelors Degree OR extensive relevant industry experience Minimum 710 years recent Key Account Management experience, with at least 5 years managing national or large-volume B2B accounts Experience within commodities, agricultural, food ingredient manufacturing or related industrial environments is essential Proven track record in contract negotiation, margin management and national account growth Experience working cross-functionally with production, logistics and quality teams Technical Competencies Strong B2B key account management expertise Exposure to quality assurance and specification-driven products Understanding of food safety and compliance processes Proficient in Microsoft Office ERP system experience (IRP or similar advantageous) Strong commercial and profitability management capability Behavioural Competencies Strong relationship builder Commercially driven Strategic thinker Results-oriented Leadership capability Cross-functional collaborator High problem-solving ability Employment Details Employment Type: Permanent Employment Industry: Manufacturing Work space preference: Hybrid (Home & Onsite) Ideal work province: Gauteng Ideal work city: Centurion Salary bracket: R 0 – 66000 Drivers License: CODE EB Own car needed: Yes