KAM - Indies (NSW)

Why this role?

Some KAM roles give you a territory and a set of targets.

This one gives you something special: genuine ownership of a high-profile, high-volume independent grocery portfolio, backed by a business that has the scale of a global player with the culture of somewhere people actually want to stay.

Suntory Beverage & Food Oceania - home to brands including V Energy, Lucozade, Ribena, Maximus and OAK - has built a reputation in the FMCG market for developing its people, retaining them, and creating clear pathways forward.

For the right person, it is a career-defining move.
  
Who you'll be working for

You'll report into the Head of Independent Grocery - an experienced and passionate people-leader a strong track record of developing talent and a reputation for doing things the right way.

The kind of manager who will push you, advocate for you, and give you the room to grow.
  
The opportunity

You will own the Metcash and Independent Grocery relationship across NSW - a significant, commercially complex portfolio that sits at the heart of Suntory's Australian growth agenda.

This means:

• Full P&L ownership across your customer base - you run the numbers, you own the outcomes
• Building and executing joint business plans that drive genuine strategic partnership with key retailers
• Working closely with field, marketing, category and finance to bring your plans to life in-store
• Using shopper and category insights to identify and unlock growth that others miss
• Representing Suntory at the senior table with Metcash state teams and key independent groups across NSW

You'll spend 30-40% of your time out in market - because this is a role for someone who thrives in front of the customer, not behind a desk.

If building relationships with retailers, being known by name at the IGA and Metcash state offices, and genuinely influencing what happens on shelf sounds like your idea of a good day, read on.
  
What you'll bring

• Ideally you will have experience managing a Metcash state office and/or Independent Grocery customers - you understand the channel dynamics and what it takes to build long-term partnerships at this level
• Strong commercial acumen - you are comfortable with trade spend, P&L, and the rigour of building and tracking a 12-month joint business plan
• A proactive approach to finding growth - you don't wait to be told where the opportunity is
• Strong internal stakeholder skills - you can influence and align cross-functional teams without relying on authority
• Genuine in-market presence - you're at your best when you're with the customer, not processing paperwork

We are open to candidates who are strong KAM-level operators in adjacent channels - P&C, pharmacy, convenience - where the commercial discipline and customer management fundamentals are directly transferable.

If you're from one of those worlds and looking to make the move into grocery, make the case.
  
The business

Suntory Beverage & Food is a global multi-beverage powerhouse with deep roots in Australia and New Zealand through the Frucor Suntory business.

The portfolio spans energy, sports, juice, water, dairy and adult soft drinks - with category-leading brands and genuine investment in innovation.

More importantly, it is a business with exceptional retention, strong internal mobility, and a culture that people stay for. Many of the company's senior leaders started in field or account management roles.

If you want the combination of a global brand, a large and well-resourced commercial team, a line manager genuinely invested in your development, and a role with real ownership - this is worth a conversation.
  
Interested?

This search is being managed exclusively by [axr] Recruitment & Search. To be considered, or to have a confidential conversation about whether this role is the right fit, reach out directly:

Andrew Cannock
Director - Sales & Marketing
[axr] Recruitment & Search
andrewc@axr.com.au