Account Executive - West

Date: 5 Jun 2025

Location: Evanston, IL, US, 60201

Company: Ornua Co-operative Limited

Job Title:            Sales Account Executive           

Reports to:       Sales Director

Location:           California/West Coast (Preferred)

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Company Background:

Ornua is a dairy co-operative which sells dairy products on behalf of its members, Ireland’s dairy processors and, in turn, Irish dairy farmers. It is Ireland’s largest exporter of Irish dairy products, exporting to 110 countries worldwide. Headquartered in Dublin, Ornua has annualised sales of over €3.5 billion and a global team of 3,000 employees. 

Ornua is structured across two divisions: Ornua Foods and Ornua Ingredients. We operate from 10 business units worldwide, including 16 production facilities, and have sales and marketing teams working in-market across the globe in Africa, Asia, Germany, Ireland, the Middle East, Spain, the UK, and the US. 

You may know us by our brands Kerrygold, Dubliner, Pilgrim’s Choice, Avantage, Forto, and BEO. 

Ornua Foods North America Inc is based in Evanston, Illinois and we market and sell Kerrygold butter and cheese in the North American and LATAM markets.  We are the number two butter brand in the US and number one in the specialty cheddar cheese market. 

Ornua Ingredients is responsible for the procurement of Irish and non-Irish dairy products and for the sale of dairy ingredients to food manufacturing and foodservice customers across the world.  Ornua Ingredients is also responsible for managing volatility through de-risking and trading strategies. The business is supported by production facilities in Saudi Arabia, Spain, the UK, the US and by in-market teams in Africa and the Middle East.

Ornua’s Values: 

At Ornua, our Values lie at the core of everything that we do and how we behave both individually and as a business. Our five values, and their underlying behaviours, encourage us to Seek and Embrace New Ideas, Make It Happen, Be Our True Selves, Show You Care and Achieve Great Things Together. 

 

Ornua’s Growth: 

At Ornua, our co-operative ethos lies at the heart of how we do business. We care passionately about driving sustainable, profitable growth, underpinned by our ambitious ‘Path to Prosper’ strategy. We have delivered significant growth in our core business, and we have ambitious plans for continued growth over the next five years. 

Why is this role valuable?

The Account Executive develops and fosters collaborative relationships with key customers headquartered on the West Coast and implements strategic account operating plans to enhance OFNA’s competitiveness and market share.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

·         Generate, agree and implement a strategic business plan aligned to overall customer strategic plan for the following customers: Sprouts, Stater Bros, WinCo, Raleys, Smart & Final, Bashas, Save Mart.

·         Act as primary selling interface at customers’ headquarters calling on key decision makers.

·         Sell new and expanded distribution of Kerrygold items to assigned chain accounts which could include Natural, Conventional, Mass, and & C-Store format.

·         Identify opportunities to grow volume/increase share with assigned chain accounts.

·         Provide Sales leaders with account intelligence and recommendations for effective planning and programming.

·         Develop and implement customer specific marketing and promotional programs for assigned chain accounts.

·         Achieve planned objectives on sales and spending in key customers and conduct post-promotion analysis.

·         Manage day-to-day relationships with nominated accounts and provide effective communication between relevant Ornua teams and customer teams.

·         Champion multi-functional resources to successfully implement brand / category strategies.

·         Improve and enhance customer experience and service.

·         Solve problems independently and proactively. 

 

Key Requirements:

·         A Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Marketing.

·         4+ years’ account sales experience in the CPG industry.

·         Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

·         Effective influencing, selling, and negotiating/problem solving and presentation skills.

·         Must be comfortable working with syndicated data.

·         Track record of being highly customer focused, building and maintaining excellent relationships.

·         Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects against deadlines.

·         Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

·         Knowledgeable of market and industry trends, competitors, and leading customer strategies.

·         This position may require frequent travel as necessary.

Ornua Competencies:

·         Communicative: Applies advanced communication skills, considering the impact on the audience and desired outcomes.

·         Customer Focus: Anticipates customers’ strategic needs and challenges, builds strategic partnerships with customers.

·         Forward Looking: Responds positively to change and looks ahead to anticipate tasks.

·         Ownership: Takes responsibility for and pride in delivering quality and results, is tenacious.

The salary range for this role is $75,600 - $92,400 and the candidate will be offered a salary commensurate with their level of experience.

 

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; Service Anniversary Awards.

 

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. 

 

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 06/27/2025

 

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