National Account Executive (Delivered Foodservice)

Lakeland Dairies; England; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading dairy processor in the UK is seeking a National Account Executive to grow partnerships with foodservice operators. The ideal candidate will enhance business through sales, trade marketing, and customer engagement in the UK National Wholesale foodservice market. An excellent track record in account management, sales growth, and strong communication skills are essential. This role will involve travel within the UK, Ireland, and internationally. Interested candidates should apply by sending their CV to the specified email address by December 15, 2025.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in profitable sales growth.
• Experience within foodservice/National Wholesale or FMCG sectors.
• Excellent account management experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop new and existing business in UK National Wholesale foodservice.
• Implement strategies agreed with the UK Foodservice Management team.
• Build partnerships to generate unique solutions.
• Deliver sales, profit targets and forecasted growth.
• Manage budgets and overheads within approved limits.
• Develop category plans and drive NPD with customers.
• Travel within UK, Ireland, and internationally as required.

Skills

Account management

Sales growth analysis

Customer relationship building

Communication skills

Financial aptitude

Microsoft Office

Willingness to travel

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

National Account Executive (Delivered Foodservice)

Lakeland Dairies Co-operative Society Limited (The Group) is the second largest dairy processor on the island of Ireland. The business is complex and ambitious with a milk supply pool of 2 billion litres of milk, drawn from over 3,200 family farms across 16 counties.

With the most modern dairy manufacturing facilities in 8 locations on a cross‑border basis, the Group supplies to a broad customer base including some of the world’s foremost “blue‑chip” companies across the dairy food ingredients, foodservice and consumer food channels on a domestic Ireland, UK, European and global basis. Internationally we export some 240 different products to over 100 countries worldwide.

The Group’s Agribusiness Division (Lakeland Agri) operates a state‑of‑the‑art Animal Feed Manufacturing Facility and is a leading and innovative provider of the highest quality feeds and agricultural inputs to dairy, beef and sheep farmers across the north and south of Ireland.

Applications are invited for the above position within our Foodservice Sales team.

The Role:

The National Account Executive for Delivered Food Service will support the growth and development of Lakeland Dairies’ strategic partnerships with delivered foodservice operators, including Brakes, Bidfood, and other key accounts. This role will focus on depot‑level execution, promotional planning, and customer engagement to drive visibility, distribution, and profitable growth across priority categories.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop new and existing business through intense customer‑facing meetings, sales, trade marketing planning and the development of activities within an account portfolio within the UK National Wholesale foodservice marketplace channel.
• Ensure that all strategies and tactics agreed within the UK Foodservice Management team are implemented and actioned within the account base.
• Provide key account customer focus, building genuine, multidisciplinary partnerships that jointly seek to generate unique solutions.
• Ensure the achievement of set targets and objectives, as agreed as part of our Management Performance process.
• Participate in the budget process and manage overhead budgets within agreed set limits.
• Deliver sales and profit/contribution targets and forecast sales.
• Build excellent customer relationships with buyers and cross‑functionally within customers to deliver compelling category plans and arguments.
• Ensure delivery of NPD and key events with customers.

The person:

Coming from a similar level position within the foodservice/National Wholesale or food‑related FMCG industry, the successful applicant will have a proven track record of delivering profitable sales growth through the setting & monitoring of sales, targets and budget management.

Excellent account management experience, including wholesalers, the ability to identify and develop new business opportunities and a commercial understanding of the UK Foodservice and Wholesaler market are additional key essentials of this highly rewarding opportunity.

Additional requirements are financial aptitude, proficiency in Microsoft Office, excellent communication skills and the willingness to travel as required (potentially several nights at a time).

Head office experience and/or experience of convenience retail would be advantageous.

If you have the necessary skills and attributes to meet this exciting opportunity in a dynamic, high volume and fast‑moving business, we would be delighted to hear from you.

***The successful applicant will be prepared to travel within the UK, Ireland and internationally as required***

Application Process:

To apply for this role, please send a copy of your CV by email to Glen Young ([e-mail]) by no later than Monday, 15 December 2025.

Lakeland Dairies Ltd is committed to having an inclusive workplace where every employee feels they belong. If you require accommodations to be made during the recruitment process or have questions relating to accessibility, please contact us at [e-mail].