Strategic Account Specialist

Strategic Account Specialist | Birchwood, Warrington | Hybrid Working | Salary: Up to -49,000

Are you an experienced customer account professional who enjoys building strategic relationships, analysing performance and driving continuous improvement?

We''re recruiting a Strategic Account Specialist to join a leading international sportswear business based in Birchwood, Warrington. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced customer service, account management or order management professional to take ownership of key wholesale customer relationships within a fast-paced, commercially driven environment.

Working closely with major wholesale accounts and internal teams across sales, supply chain, logistics and finance, you''ll play a pivotal role in strengthening customer partnerships, improving operational performance and maximising sales conversion.

This is a varied position combining relationship management, commercial analysis and operational coordination, offering the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on both customer satisfaction and business performance.

The Role

As Strategic Account Specialist, you''ll develop trusted relationships with key wholesale customers, understand their operational requirements and coordinate activity across the business to deliver an efficient, reliable and commercially effective service.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Strategic account management: Build and maintain strong relationships with key wholesale customers through regular meetings, performance reviews and ongoing communication.
• Customer performance: Analyse customer feedback and key performance indicators, identifying opportunities to improve service, strengthen relationships and drive better business outcomes.
• Continuous improvement: Develop and implement customer improvement plans, working collaboratively with commercial, supply chain, logistics and distribution teams.
• Order book management: Monitor and analyse the customer order book, proactively identifying blockers, delivery issues and opportunities to improve order conversion.
• Sales and revenue optimisation: Support sales conversion and revenue objectives by ensuring orders progress efficiently from entry and confirmation through to delivery and invoicing.
• Operational excellence: Coordinate order entry, delivery blocks, outbound deliveries, invoice corrections and disputes, ensuring issues are resolved promptly.
• Reporting and analytics: Monitor customer and operational KPIs, produce analytical reports and provide insights to support business planning and decision-making.
• Forecasting and supply planning: Contribute to sales forecasting and planning processes, collaborating with commercial and supply chain teams to address supply challenges and improve availability.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Work closely with finance and accounts receivable teams to identify potential credit issues, overdue payments and other risks affecting customer orders.
• Systems and process development: Support the effective use of SAP, CRM, EDI and business intelligence tools, helping customers and internal teams adopt efficient ways of working.
• Stakeholder management: Act as the link between customers and internal departments, ensuring clear communication, appropriate escalation and timely resolution of complex issues.

About You

We''re looking for a commercially aware, relationship-focused professional who combines strong analytical skills with a proactive approach to customer management and operational problem-solving.

You''ll ideally have:

• At least three years'' experience in customer service, account management, wholesale operations, order book management or a similar role.
• Experience managing relationships with larger customers or key accounts.
• Experience within sportswear, fashion, footwear, wholesale or retail distribution would be advantageous. Candidates with relevant supply chain, logistics or order-to-cash experience will also be considered.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data, monitor KPIs and identify opportunities for improvement.
• A good understanding of commercial performance indicators, sales conversion and order management processes.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to build relationships and influence stakeholders at different levels.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, alongside experience using SAP and CRM systems.
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to coordinate activity across multiple teams.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• A bachelor''s degree in business administration or a related discipline would be advantageous.

You''ll be someone who takes ownership, looks beyond immediate issues to identify root causes, and enjoys working with customers and colleagues to deliver long-term improvements.

The role may involve occasional domestic and international travel, depending on business requirements.

What''s on Offer?

• Annual leave: 25 days.
• Hybrid working: Initially four days per week in the office, with the potential to move to three days per week following successful completion of the three-month probation period.
• Product discounts: 50% off full-price products and 30% off outlet products.
• Gym benefits: Free 12-month membership at Alive & Well gym at Birchwood Park, plus 30% cashback on gym membership.
• Additional benefits: Free onsite parking and access to an Employee Assistance Programme.

Interested?

If you have experience in key account management, wholesale operations, customer success or order management and are looking for a role where you can combine customer relationships with commercial and operational impact, we''d love to hear from you.

Apply today to find out more about this opportunity with a leading international sportswear business.

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