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Trainee Sales Executive - Job Opportunity at ICDS Recruitment Consultants

County Offaly, Ireland
Full-time
Entry-level
Posted: August 19, 2025
On-site
EUR 28,000-35,000 annually for this trainee position, with potential progression to EUR 45,000-65,000 within 3-5 years based on performance and market knowledge development. The comprehensive 18-month training program and hands-on industry exposure typically command premium starting salaries compared to generic sales roles.

Key Responsibilities

Drive comprehensive understanding of meat processing operations from farm to consumer, positioning yourself as an industry expert capable of addressing customer technical inquiries and production concerns
Develop strategic knowledge of product portfolio variations and market positioning to maximize cross-selling opportunities and customer lifetime value
Master complex sales negotiation processes and commercial agreement structures that directly impact company profitability and market share expansion
Execute value-maximizing strategies in sales negotiations that balance customer satisfaction with optimal margin achievement for sustainable business growth
Cultivate and maintain high-value customer relationships through proactive communication strategies that ensure retention and account expansion opportunities
Lead collaborative product development initiatives with NPD teams to identify market gaps and drive innovation that creates competitive advantages
Manage critical sales administration processes that ensure seamless customer experience and operational efficiency across all touchpoints
Serve as primary sales negotiator for assigned client portfolios, directly impacting revenue generation and market penetration success
Drive achievement of gross margin targets through strategic pricing and negotiation tactics that balance competitiveness with profitability requirements
Execute sales volume forecasting and delivery strategies that support business planning and inventory optimization across regional markets
Participate in production planning processes that align manufacturing capabilities with market demand and customer commitments
Ensure pricing strategy compliance that maintains market competitiveness while achieving financial objectives and margin targets
Collaborate with credit management to optimize cash flow through effective revenue collection strategies and customer payment facilitation
Lead customer complaint resolution processes that transform service issues into relationship strengthening opportunities and operational improvements
Develop new customer acquisition strategies while conducting competitive intelligence activities that inform market positioning and pricing strategies
Oversee inventory management for fresh and frozen products to minimize waste while ensuring optimal product availability for customer fulfillment

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

Willingness to learn and develop within a commercial sales setting 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
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The global meat processing industry is experiencing significant consolidation and vertical integration as companies seek to control supply chains and improve margins in response to volatile commodity prices and increasing regulatory compliance costs. This creates opportunities for sales professionals who understand the full value chain from farm to fork. Sustainability and traceability demands from consumers and retailers are driving meat processors to invest heavily in transparent supply chain management and environmental compliance programs. Sales executives who can articulate these value propositions will be increasingly valuable as they can command premium pricing for certified sustainable products. Digital transformation in meat processing is accelerating post-pandemic, with companies implementing IoT sensors, blockchain tracking, and AI-powered demand forecasting. Sales professionals need to understand these technologies to effectively communicate value propositions to tech-savvy customers and optimize inventory management. Export market diversification has become critical for Irish meat processors following Brexit disruptions and trade relationship changes with the UK. Companies are aggressively pursuing Asian and Middle Eastern markets, requiring sales teams with global market knowledge and cross-cultural communication skills.

Role Significance

Typically part of a 5-8 person sales team in Irish meat processing companies, with direct collaboration across multiple departments including production planning, logistics, finance, and NPD. The role involves regular interaction with senior stakeholders and department heads, indicating substantial organizational integration.
This is a structured entry-level role with significant strategic importance, as the 18-month comprehensive training program positions the candidate for rapid advancement into mid-level commercial roles. The direct reporting to Head of Sales and involvement in production planning indicates this is a high-potential development position rather than a junior sales support role.

Key Projects

Leading customer account expansion initiatives for premium product lines in export markets, requiring deep understanding of international food safety standards and cultural preferences Implementing new product launch strategies in collaboration with NPD teams, focusing on value-added meat products that command higher margins and differentiate from commodity pricing pressures Developing pricing optimization strategies for different product categories and regional markets, balancing competitiveness with margin requirements while considering currency fluctuation impacts

Success Factors

Deep technical product knowledge combined with commercial acumen enables effective value-based selling rather than commodity pricing competition. Understanding the science behind meat processing, aging, and quality parameters allows for consultative selling approaches that build customer trust and justify premium pricing. Relationship management excellence across complex stakeholder networks including farmers, processors, distributors, and end customers requires exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to navigate competing interests while maintaining long-term partnerships that drive sustainable revenue growth. Financial analytical capabilities for margin management, pricing strategy development, and contract negotiation ensure profitable growth rather than revenue growth at the expense of profitability. Understanding cost structures, currency impacts, and market dynamics enables strategic decision-making. Cross-functional collaboration skills are essential given the role's integration with production planning, logistics, finance, and NPD teams. Success requires the ability to influence without direct authority and coordinate complex activities across multiple departments to ensure customer satisfaction.

Market Demand

High demand driven by Ireland's position as a major global meat exporter and the industry's need for specialized sales professionals who understand complex food safety regulations, international trade requirements, and supply chain management in the post-Brexit environment.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Strong negotiation and sales abilities are fundamental to success in the meat processing industry where margins are often compressed and competitive pressures are intense. The ability to structure win-win agreements that maintain customer relationships while achieving profitability targets requires sophisticated negotiation skills that balance short-term revenue needs with long-term partnership development. Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building capabilities are essential given the relationship-intensive nature of the food industry where personal trust and reliability often determine purchasing decisions. Long-term customer relationships in meat processing frequently span decades, making relationship management skills more valuable than transactional selling approaches. Strong numerical and analytical skills are critical for understanding complex pricing structures, margin calculations, currency impacts, and volume-based pricing models that characterize international meat trade. The ability to quickly analyze profitability scenarios and present compelling financial arguments to customers distinguishes successful sales professionals. Attention to detail and organizational skills are paramount in an industry governed by strict food safety regulations, traceability requirements, and documentation standards. Small errors in product specifications, delivery schedules, or compliance documentation can result in significant financial losses and regulatory penalties.

Beneficial Skills

Knowledge of food safety regulations and international trade requirements would provide significant advantage in communicating with customers about compliance capabilities and differentiation from competitors who may not meet stringent international standards, particularly valuable for export market development. Understanding of supply chain management and logistics optimization would enable more effective customer consultation on delivery scheduling, inventory management, and cost reduction opportunities, creating additional value beyond product sales and strengthening customer partnerships. Digital technology familiarity including ERP systems, CRM platforms, and data analysis tools would support more effective territory management, customer insights development, and sales process optimization in an increasingly technology-driven industry environment.

Unique Aspects

The 18-month comprehensive training program covering the entire meat processing value chain from farming through slaughtering, processing, and logistics represents an exceptionally thorough industry immersion that is rare in sales roles and provides significant competitive advantage for career development.
Direct involvement in production planning processes provides unusual operational insight for a sales role, enabling more effective customer communication about delivery capabilities, capacity constraints, and quality assurance processes that most sales professionals cannot offer.
Integration with New Product Development activities creates opportunities to influence product innovation based on market feedback and customer requirements, positioning the role as more strategic than typical order-taking sales positions.
The combination of local and global market exposure through Ireland's position as a major meat exporter provides valuable international trade experience and cultural competency development that enhances long-term career prospects in multinational food companies.

Career Growth

Progression to Senior Sales Executive level typically occurs within 24-30 months post-training completion, with management opportunities emerging within 4-6 years for strong performers. The specialized industry knowledge gained through the comprehensive training program accelerates career advancement compared to general sales roles.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Sales Executive with expanded territory or key account management responsibilities, typically achieved within 2-3 years with strong performance and completion of the training program Regional Sales Manager overseeing multiple territories or product lines, representing the natural progression for high-performing sales executives who demonstrate leadership capabilities and strategic thinking Business Development Manager focusing on new market entry or product development initiatives, leveraging the comprehensive industry knowledge gained through the training program Commercial Manager or Sales Director roles within 5-7 years for exceptional performers who develop strong analytical and leadership capabilities

Company Overview

ICDS Recruitment Consultants

ICDS Recruitment Consultants operates as a specialized recruitment firm serving the Irish food and agriculture sectors, with particular expertise in meat processing, dairy, and food manufacturing industries. The firm has established strong relationships with major Irish food processors and maintains a reputation for identifying and developing talent within the highly specialized food industry ecosystem.

Positioned as a niche specialist recruitment firm with deep industry connections and understanding of the specific skill requirements within Irish food processing companies. ICDS likely maintains preferred supplier relationships with major meat processors given the technical nature of this role specification and the comprehensive training program outlined.
Operates primarily within the Irish market with strong connections to County Offaly's significant agricultural and food processing cluster. The region hosts several major meat processing facilities and represents a strategic location for accessing both domestic and export markets through established logistics networks.
Professional services environment focused on matching specialized talent with technical industry requirements. The detailed role specification and comprehensive training program description suggests a consultative approach to recruitment that emphasizes long-term career development rather than transactional placement services.
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