Description

National account managers are responsible for managing relationships with ongoing clients, especially those who are considered of high importance and make a large amount of purchases. National account managers should also research new clients in order to establish new accounts.It is important for these account managers to foster trust with clients to ensure ongoing purchasing from the company, and they also develop and deploy detailed plans to increase sales and profits. There are both short-term and long-term goals in this position, and national account managers usually oversee a team and its work, so scheduling, hiring, and human resources duties are usually necessary. National account managers may also oversee the efforts of a sales team, so it's important to be able to drive their vision and establish attainable goals.Those in this position may also lead promotions and marketing efforts to familiarize the public with the company's products and improve its reputation, and the market and competitors' products must be monitored to understand current trends and how to best improve the company's standing. When interacting with clients, they must be able to present the company as favorable over others, and they may also have budgets to be met in their daily duties. A bachelor's degree or higher in business administration is generally required for this position.

Roles & Responsibilities

As a National Account Manager in Canada with 6-9 years of experience, your main responsibilities include:

  • Manage and maintain relationships with key national accounts, ensuring customer satisfaction and retention. Develop and implement strategic account plans to maximize sales and revenue opportunities.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution of customer initiatives and projects. Coordinate with sales, marketing, and operations teams to deliver on customer commitments.
  • Analyze market trends, competitor activities, and customer needs to identify growth opportunities. Conduct regular business reviews with key accounts, providing insights and recommendations for business improvement.
  • Negotiate and finalize contracts, pricing agreements, and terms with national accounts.

Qualifications & Work Experience

For a National Account Manager, the following qualifications are required:

  • Must have a successful history of managing national accounts and achieving sales targets, demonstrating expertise in relationship building and negotiation.
  • Should possess the ability to develop and implement strategic plans to maximize account growth, market share, and profitability, while keeping abreast of industry trends and competitor activities.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential to effectively communicate with key stakeholders, understand customer needs, and present compelling business proposals.
  • Should have exceptional leadership and team management skills to oversee a team of account executives, providing guidance, mentoring, and fostering a collaborative work environment.

Essential Skills For National Account Manager

1

Accounting Fundamentals

2

Accounting Terminology

3

Advance Accounting

4

Management Accounting

5

Accounting Tools & Fundamentals

Skills That Affect National Account Manager Salaries

Different skills can affect your salary. Below are the most popular skills and their effect on salary.

Forecasting

11%

Business Development

12%

Sales & Management

23%

Negotiation

34%

Career Prospects

The role of a National Account Manager is crucial in overseeing and managing key accounts within Canada. With 6-9 years of experience, professionals can explore various alternative roles in a similar domain. Here are four options to consider:

  • Senior Sales Manager: A position that involves leading and strategizing sales efforts, managing a team, and driving business growth through effective account management.
  • Key Account Executive: A role focused on building and maintaining relationships with key clients, identifying growth opportunities, and ensuring customer satisfaction.
  • Business Development Manager: An opportunity to expand the organization's client base, identify new market segments, and develop strategies for revenue growth.
  • Strategic Partnerships Manager: A position that involves cultivating and managing partnerships with other organizations, exploring collaborative opportunities, and driving mutually beneficial business outcomes.

How to Learn

According to Google, the projected growth of the National Account Manager role in the Canadian market is expected to be positive. Over the past 10 years, there has been steady growth in this job role, with an increasing demand for professionals in the field. With the expanding market and evolving business landscape, there are anticipated to be numerous employment opportunities for National Account Managers in the future.