Senior National Account Manager UK Retail (12 Month Maternity Cover)

Maternity cover | Minimum 12 months with potential to extend

Location: London (hybrid), three days in the office

Department: Sales

Reports to: Commercial Director

Start date: First week of January 2027

About Big Potato Games

Big Potato Games is an award-winning games company known for creating bold, funny and brilliantly simple games that people actually want to play. We work with some of the UK’s biggest and best retailers and are growing fast… which is where you come in.

The Role

We’re looking for an experienced, commercially minded Senior National Account Manager to join our UK retail team on a maternity cover contract for a minimum of 12 months, with the potential to extend. You’ll manage a portfolio of major retail partners, lead a small account management team and take ownership of the overall UK retail sales forecast.

This is a hands-on role with a wider view of the UK business. Working closely with the Commercial Director, you’ll bring together account plans and forecasts, spot risks and opportunities early, and help the team deliver profitable growth and excellent execution for our retail partners.

Key Responsibilities

UK retail leadership and forecasting

· Own the overall UK retail sales forecast, bringing account-level forecasts into a clear, accurate view of performance against budget.

· Lead regular forecast and performance reviews, identifying risks, opportunities and the actions needed to deliver the UK retail target.

· Challenge and support the team to keep account forecasts realistic, current and grounded in customer plans and sales data.

· Work with Finance, Supply Chain and Operations so the forecast informs stock, demand and commercial planning.

· Give the Commercial Director clear updates on UK retail performance, including changes to the outlook and proposed actions.

Account management

· Own a portfolio of strategically important national retail accounts and build strong relationships with senior buyers.

· Take full P&L responsibility for assigned accounts, delivering profitable and sustainable growth.

· Develop account plans and lead negotiations on terms, promotions, ranging, distribution and product launches.

· Identify growth opportunities within existing customers and ensure excellent execution of launches and retail activations.

Team management and development

· Manage, coach and develop a small team of Account Managers and National Account Managers.

· Set clear priorities, support the team with customer challenges and negotiations, and build strong commercial and forecasting capability.

· Create a supportive, accountable team culture in which people understand their contribution to the UK retail plan.

Working across the business

· Partner with Marketing and Trade Marketing on retailer activation plans, and with Supply Chain and Operations on availability and customer service.

· Work with Finance on budgets, profitability and commercial decisions; represent UK retail priorities across the wider business.

· Represent Big Potato Games at buyer meetings, trade shows and industry events.

About You

· Significant National Account Management experience with major UK retailers and strong buyer relationships.

· Experience managing or coaching commercial colleagues and the confidence to lead a small team.

· Strong commercial acumen, including account P&L ownership, negotiation, pricing and promotional planning.

· Excellent forecasting and analytical skills, with the ability to own and challenge a multi-account sales forecast.

· Able to balance strategic thinking with hands-on account management and turn data into clear actions.

· Collaborative, organised and proactive, with strong communication and attention to detail.

· Experience in Toys, Games or Gifting is strongly preferred; willing to travel for customers and trade events as needed.

What Success Looks Like

· The UK retail forecast is clear, accurate and actively used to guide decisions.

· The team understands progress against target, spots risks early and acts on growth opportunities.

· Our key retail partnerships grow profitably and customers receive excellent service and execution.

· The account management team feels supported, develops its skills and delivers against its plans.

Why Join Big Potato Games?

· Step into a senior commercial role with real responsibility and influence from day one.

· Lead a talented team and work with some of the UK’s biggest retailers.

· Join a creative, ambitious and supportive business with products that are genuinely fun.

· Take on a maternity cover contract of at least 12 months, with potential to extend.