Key Account Manager- NZ Foodservice

• Lead key national head-office, regional distributor and end-user relationships to drive performance.
• Own and grow a portfolio of regional and selected national accounts across Foodservice.
• Partner with the Channel Manager to support major national distributor partnerships and unlock new opportunities.

Join Cookie Time, a proudly Kiwi, fun, and fast-paced brand, as a Key Account Manager. Drive growth across Foodservice and QSR by managing national and regional accounts, building distributor and head-office relationships, and turning opportunities into results.

Why Cookie Time?

Cookie Time is a proudly Kiwi-born, family-owned brand with serious cookies (and snacks) made with real ingredients, real character, and real heart. Since 1983 they've grown from delivering jars of cookies around Christchurch to becoming one of New Zealand's most loved snack brands built on quality, creativity, and a passion for good food and good people.

They believe in more than just cookies. They believe in creating smiles, building relationships, and doing business the Kiwi way: honest, energetic, and always ready for the next challenge.

Cookie Time also recently acquired Mrs Higgins, giving the business a second bakery site, a broader product range (from baked cookies to frozen dough and café-style bakery lines), and an even stronger foundation across Foodservice, QSR, and export. The acquisition has expanded their capability and strengthened their presence in key national and regional channels.

This creates an exciting landscape for an experienced Key Account Manager to step in and help drive the next phase of growth.

About the Role

We're after an experienced Key Account Manager to join the Foodservice & QSR sales team, someone with strong distributor relationships, exposure to national head-office accounts, and the ambition to grow into a National Account Manager role as our channel expands.

You'll manage a portfolio of head office accounts, and take full ownership of growth at branch level across the Foodservice distributors, and end-user engagement, while supporting the Channel Manager on major national distributor relationships.

You'll be out in market — visiting customers, building relationships, spotting opportunities, and closing business. This role is fast-paced, people-driven, and packed with variety.

What You'll Do

• Manage and grow key regional and selected national Foodservice/Oils and QSR accounts
• Partner with Channel Manager on large national head-office distributor relationships
• Identify, target, and win new business across all Foodservice channels
• Strengthen distributor relationships at branch level to support broader network success
• Champion the Cookie Time & Higgins product ranges — from everyday favourites to new launches
• Plan and execute promotions, drive margin improvements, and deliver commercial results
• Deliver accurate sales reporting, forecasting, and pipeline management
• Build trusted relationships with distributors, national accounts, and QSR operators
• Represent Cookie Time at industry events and stay across category and market trends
• Contribute to potential growth across Australasia when required

About You

• Proven track record in key account management, within Foodservice and/or oil retail head office/ QSR channels.
• Strong network and relationships with distributors within foodservice / QSR
• Sales-driven, proactive, and unafraid to "hunt" — open doors, knock on doors, make things happen
• Excellent relationship builder at all levels — from branch staff to national head office teams
• Organised, well-structured, with strong planning and commercial acumen
• Hardworking, self-motivated, stable, and ready to commit — we're building the channel for the long run
• Great verbal and written communicator
• Persuasive closing ability — you enjoy sealing the deal
• A good cultural fit: energetic, down-to-earth, fun, collaborative — doing business with a smile and a sense of Kiwi spirit

Why This Role Matters — and Why It's Great

This is more than just another key account role. It's an opportunity to join a brand that's proud of its legacy, but still hungry for growth and innovation. You'll have the chance to influence national accounts, shape distributor relationships, and grow with the business.

You'll be part of a team that values passion, relationships, and authenticity. You'll enjoy autonomy, variety, and the satisfaction of seeing tangible results for your efforts. And you'll be helping bring Cookie Time treats to more customers across New Zealand and beyond.

If you're an experienced Key Account Manager with distributor savvy, a strong sales instinct, and the energy to get out there and make things happen — we want to hear from you. Apply now and join the Cookie Time family

Phone Lara Devereux

NB We welcome applicants with NZ residency or a current work visa. However, we do not support sponsorship and ask you not to apply if you need this. We care deeply about candidate experience and all applicants who meet the visa criteria will be responded to.