Account Executive

Job Title: Account Executive

Location: Remote, with some time in Evanston, Chicago IL

Department: Sales

Reports To:  Sales Manager

Company Background:

The most important element of our company background is our purpose.  We are a dairy cooperative of cooperatives.  That means that we exist to create value for our cooperatives and the 14,000 Irish family dairy farms they support.  This is central to how we operate, critically important for our employees and what fuels our ambition to win.

With that, Ornua is Ireland’s largest exporter of Irish dairy, exporting to over 110 countries with annualised sales of €3.4 billion.

We are multi-national, operating from 19 subsidiaries worldwide and employing over 2,300 staff. Ornua has teams working in-market across all four corners of the globe from Algiers to Beijing, to Lagos and LA.

The business is structured across two core divisions: Ornua Foods and Ornua Ingredients.

Ornua Foods owns the iconic Kerrygold brand, as well as the Pilgrims Choice, Dubliner, Forto and BEO Milk Powder brands.

Ornua Ingredients supplies superior quality dairy ingredients to leading global food manufacturers from some of the world’s most technically advanced manufacturing and prepacking facilities located in Africa, China, Ireland, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the UK and the US.

Ornua Foods North America is headquartered in Evanston, IL with additional teams located throughout the US.  The consumer foods product portfolio is spread across butter, cheese and powders.

The North America division is a powerhouse within Ornua, with an iconic and beloved brand and a highly-engaged, highly inclusive, and high-performing team that, together, have delivered double-digit, profitable growth on the business for the last twenty years.

Why is this role valuable?

The Account Executive: Wholesale/Distributor includes responsibility for managing and developing sales and market opportunities for the Ornua Foods North America business in dealing Kehe and other key distributors.  This includes implementation of a sales strategy for branded products in defined markets through fostering collaborative relationships with wholesalers, distributors, and the key retailers they service.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

Customer and Business Development

• Build, align, and execute strategic business plans for assigned customers. Manage day-to-day relationships with wholesaler, distributor, and brokers and provide effective communication between relevant Ornua teams and customer teams.
• Act as primary selling interface at wholesale, distributor, broker, and headquarters calling on key decision makers to expand distribution of Kerrygold items.
• Generate, agree, and implement a strategic business plan aligned to overall wholesale and distributor strategic plan.

Selling and Relationship Management

• Provide Sales leaders with account intelligence and recommendations for effective planning and programming.
• Lead day to day communication and cross-functional coordination between Ornua and customer teams.
• Champion the Kerrygold brand and ensure best-in-class customer experience

Planning, Insights, and Execution

• Strategy and Business Plan creation among Wholesalers, Distributors, Brokers, and Retailers.
• Use syndicated data to diagnose performance, inform planning, and quantify impact.
• Achieve sales and trade investment targets, complete post promotional analysis and refine future plans based on findings.
• Mobilize multi-functional resources to deliver brand, category and customer objectives.

Key Requirements:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing or a related field.
• 4+ years’ account sales experience in the CPG industry.
• Strong influencing, negotiation and communication skills
• Comfortable using syndicated data tools (IRI, Nielsen, etc)
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects against deadlines.
• Proven relationship builder with a customer-first mindset.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Knowledgeable of market and industry trends, competitors, and leading customer strategies.
• This position may require frequent travel as necessary.

What You’ll Gain:

• The opportunity to shape the future of a dairy brand in double digit growth in the US
• A collaborative, purpose-driven culture that values innovation and insight
• Competitive compensation, benefits, and career development opportunities
• Dynamic Working policy in place which facilitates flexible hours and hybrid working, with 3 days/week in office, plus a 2 week per year ‘Work From Anywhere’ option.

Total Rewards at Ornua Foods North America will include a competitive salary and annual bonus scheme. The following are a list of other benefits you can avail of: low employee contribution for Medical, Vision and Dental benefits cover; 401k; Paid Time Off; Maternity Leave (20 weeks); Parental Leave; Flexible working; Fitness Reimbursement; Charity Donation; Complimentary Kerrygold products; Free car parking and secure bicycle storage; Free healthy snacks and drinks in the office; Reward & Recognition program; Volunteering opportunities; Long Service Awards. The salary range for this role is $80,000 to $90,000 and the candidate will be offered a salary commensurate with their level of experience.

Ornua Foods North America Inc is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.