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Sales Executive (Food Industry) - Co. Offaly - Job Opportunity at ICDS Recruitment Consultants

County Offaly, Ireland
Full-time
Entry-level
Posted: June 10, 2025
On-site
EUR 28,000-35,000 annually for this trainee position, with potential progression to EUR 45,000-60,000 upon completion of the 18-month program. The comprehensive training component and direct reporting to Head of Sales suggests this role offers above-average compensation for entry-level positions in the Irish food industry.

Benefits

Comprehensive 18-month structured training program providing deep industry expertise and competitive advantage in the meat processing sector
Hands-on experience across entire production value chain from farming to processing, offering unparalleled operational knowledge
Direct mentorship and reporting relationship with Head of Sales, ensuring accelerated professional development
Cross-functional collaboration opportunities with multiple departments including finance, logistics, and product development
Exposure to both local and global markets, building international business acumen
Professional development in food safety and regulatory compliance, highly valued certifications in the industry

Key Responsibilities

Drive strategic sales growth for meat products across local and global markets, directly impacting company revenue and market expansion
Develop and optimize sales channels to maximize market penetration and establish competitive positioning
Negotiate high-value commercial agreements while managing margins to ensure optimal profitability for premium customer segments
Build and maintain strategic customer relationships through regular communication, ensuring long-term business partnerships and client retention
Collaborate with New Product Development team to identify market opportunities and drive innovation aligned with customer needs
Execute comprehensive sales administration and SAP system management to ensure operational excellence and data integrity
Deliver against Gross Margin targets on daily, weekly, and annual basis, directly contributing to company financial performance
Manage forecasted sales volumes by customer and region, ensuring strategic alignment with business objectives
Participate in production planning processes to optimize inventory management and customer fulfillment
Oversee finished goods inventory management for both fresh and frozen products, minimizing waste and maximizing availability
Handle customer complaint resolution and credit management processes, maintaining service excellence and financial compliance

Requirements

Education

A university degree in a related field is ideal but not mandatory

Experience

Some previous experience in a business environment is preferred

Required Skills

Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships Good numerical skills Well-organized with attention to detail Strong negotiation and sales abilities Excellent written and verbal communication skills Ability to conduct thorough research Willingness to learn and develop within a commercial sales setting
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The meat processing industry is experiencing significant consolidation globally, with larger players acquiring smaller regional processors to achieve economies of scale and expand distribution networks. This trend creates opportunities for sales professionals who understand both local market nuances and global supply chain dynamics. Increasing consumer demand for traceability and transparency in meat products is driving companies to invest heavily in supply chain visibility and quality assurance programs. Sales professionals with comprehensive knowledge of the entire production process, from farm to table, are becoming increasingly valuable as they can effectively communicate these quality differentiators to customers. The rise of alternative proteins and plant-based substitutes is forcing traditional meat processors to innovate and diversify their product portfolios. Companies are seeking sales professionals who can identify new market opportunities and work closely with R&D teams to develop products that meet evolving consumer preferences. Brexit has significantly impacted the Irish meat industry's export dynamics, particularly with the UK market, creating both challenges and opportunities for companies that can navigate new regulatory requirements and identify alternative export markets within the EU and globally.

Role Significance

Based on the collaborative structure described, this role involves working within a sales team of approximately 5-8 professionals, with regular interaction across multiple departments including finance, logistics, planning, and product development teams totaling 15-20 key stakeholders.
This is a strategic entry-level position with accelerated progression potential, positioned as a direct pipeline to senior sales roles within the organization. The comprehensive training program and direct reporting to Head of Sales indicates this role is designed for high-potential candidates who will quickly advance to key account management and regional sales leadership positions.

Key Projects

Leading the development and implementation of new customer acquisition strategies for underserved geographical regions, particularly focusing on expanding the company's footprint in emerging European markets Managing the launch and market penetration of new value-added meat products, working closely with the NPD team to ensure successful commercialization and customer adoption Implementing customer relationship management initiatives to increase customer lifetime value and reduce churn rates among premium accounts Developing pricing optimization strategies for different product categories and market segments to maximize profitability while maintaining competitive positioning

Success Factors

Deep technical knowledge of meat processing operations combined with commercial acumen enables credible customer conversations and effective problem-solving, setting apart high-performing sales professionals in this specialized industry Strong relationship-building capabilities across cultural and geographical boundaries are essential for success in global markets, particularly given the importance of trust and reliability in food supply chain partnerships Analytical skills to interpret market data, customer behavior patterns, and financial metrics are crucial for optimizing pricing strategies and identifying profitable growth opportunities in competitive markets Adaptability and resilience to navigate the volatile nature of commodity markets, seasonal demand fluctuations, and regulatory changes that frequently impact the meat processing industry

Market Demand

High demand driven by the critical importance of sales expertise in the competitive meat processing sector, particularly for professionals who understand both local Irish market dynamics and global export opportunities. The structured 18-month training program indicates companies are willing to invest significantly in developing talent due to skills shortages.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Relationship building and interpersonal communication skills are absolutely essential in the meat processing industry where long-term partnerships and trust are fundamental to business success. The industry's traditional, relationship-driven nature means that technical sales skills alone are insufficient without the ability to build genuine connections with customers and internal stakeholders. Numerical and analytical capabilities are critical for success in margin management, pricing optimization, and sales forecasting. The meat processing industry operates on relatively thin margins, making the ability to analyze profitability, understand cost structures, and optimize pricing strategies essential for both individual and company success. Negotiation abilities are paramount given the commodity nature of many meat products and the need to secure favorable terms while maintaining customer relationships. Strong negotiators who can balance customer needs with company profitability requirements are highly valued in this competitive industry.

Beneficial Skills

Knowledge of food safety regulations and quality assurance processes, while provided through training, becomes increasingly valuable as customers demand greater transparency and compliance with evolving food safety standards Understanding of supply chain logistics and transportation management enhances effectiveness in customer service and problem resolution, particularly important given the perishable nature of meat products Familiarity with international trade regulations and export procedures would be highly beneficial given the global nature of the meat trade and Ireland's significant export orientation in this sector

Unique Aspects

The comprehensive 18-month training program covering the entire value chain from farming to processing represents an unusually thorough professional development opportunity that would typically take years to acquire through traditional career progression
Direct involvement in production planning and inventory management provides operational insights rarely available to sales professionals, creating unique value proposition for future career advancement
The combination of local Irish market focus with global sales exposure offers an ideal foundation for international career development in the food industry
Integration with SAP systems and formal credit management processes indicates exposure to enterprise-level business operations and financial management practices

Career Growth

Progression to mid-level sales management roles typically occurs within 3-5 years, with potential advancement to senior commercial leadership positions within 7-10 years for high-performing individuals who demonstrate strategic thinking and market development capabilities.

Potential Next Roles

Regional Sales Manager responsible for multiple territories and key account portfolios, typically achievable within 2-3 years post-training completion Key Account Manager for major retail chains or international distributors, focusing on strategic partnerships and long-term contract negotiations Business Development Manager leading new market entry initiatives and product commercialization strategies Commercial Manager with P&L responsibility for specific product lines or geographical regions

Company Overview

ICDS Recruitment Consultants

ICDS Recruitment Consultants appears to be a specialized recruitment firm focusing on the Irish food and agriculture sector, with particular expertise in placing sales and commercial professionals within meat processing and related industries. Their involvement in recruiting for structured trainee programs suggests they work with established, growth-oriented companies in the sector.

As a specialized recruitment consultancy in the food industry, ICDS likely maintains strong relationships with both established meat processors and emerging companies in the Irish market, positioning them well to identify quality opportunities for both candidates and employers in this specialized sector.
The focus on County Offaly positions this opportunity within Ireland's agricultural heartland, where many of the country's leading meat processing facilities are located, offering excellent access to industry networks and career advancement opportunities within the sector.
The structured 18-month training program and emphasis on cross-functional collaboration suggests a professional, development-focused work environment that prioritizes employee growth and knowledge transfer, typical of established food processing companies that view human capital as a key competitive advantage.
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