Account Executive, Regional Grocery East

Ornua; Evanston (IL); Hybrid; USD 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Hybrid work options

Complimentary Kerrygold products

Free parking

Healthy snacks in office

Job summary

Ornua is seeking an Account Executive to drive customer growth and expand Kerrygold distribution with major grocery accounts. This role blends strategic account planning with hands-on execution, requiring strong relationship skills and data-driven decision making.

The position is remote with periodic time in Evanston, IL, offering collaboration across Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Supply Chain to strengthen retailer partnerships and achieve business objectives.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2+ years of account sales experience in the CPG industry.
• Strong influencing, negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills.
• Experience using syndicated data tools such as Nielsen, Circana (IRI), or similar.
• Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Drive customer growth and expand distribution for Kerrygold across key grocery accounts.
• Strengthen retailer partnerships and accelerate brand growth in assigned markets.
• Serve as primary commercial partner for key retail customers and translate data into business actions.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain, and Category Management.
• Execute customer-specific business plans and promotional programs to maximize share and profitability.

Skills

Account sales in CPG

Influencing

Negotiation

Communication

Relationship management

Data-driven selling

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing or related field

Tools

Nielsen

Circana/IRI

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Title:

Account Executive

Function:

Sales

Reports to:

Regional Grocery Sales Manager

Location:

Remote, with some time in Evanston, IL

Position Type:

Full-Time

Schedule:

Standard business hours

Ornua (meaning "new gold") is Ireland’s largest exporter of Irish dairy products, proudly bringing the unique taste of Irish dairy to the world since 1961.

Are you an Account Executive looking for the challenge of taking a mission-driven organization to its next level of success?

Ornua is actively seeking an Account Executive to join the Ornua Family as we continue our growth trajectory. This position will play a key role in driving customer growth, expanding distribution, strengthening retailer partnerships, and accelerating the continued success of the Kerrygold brand across key grocery accounts

Why this role is valuable

As our Account Executive, you will serve as the primary commercial partner for key retail customers, helping drive growth, market share expansion, and profitability across the Kerrygold portfolio. Your work will directly impact distribution gains, customer relationships, and the successful execution of customer-specific business strategies.

This role offers the opportunity to collaborate with leading retail partners while working cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain, and Category Management teams. Your contributions will help strengthen Ornua's presence within strategic accounts and support the continued growth of one of the most recognized dairy brands in the marketplace.

What you will bring to the role

You are a customer-focused sales professional who enjoys building strong relationships, identifying growth opportunities, and delivering results. You thrive in a fast-paced environment and can effectively balance strategic account planning with day-to-day execution.

You bring strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills, along with the ability to leverage data and insights to influence decisions. Your collaborative approach and commitment to customer success enable you to build trust, drive growth, and create long-term value for both Ornua and its customers.

At Ornua, success is not just about what you do, it's how you do it. You demonstrate our values by seeking new ideas, making things happen, showing care for teammates, being your authentic self, and achieving great things together

Experience and requirements

Minimum qualifications

• 2+ years of account sales experience within the Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) industry.
• Strong influencing, negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills.
• Experience utilizing syndicated data tools such as Nielsen, Circana (IRI), or similar platforms.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to travel as business needs require

Desired qualifications

• Experience managing regional grocery, conventional, natural, mass, or retail chain accounts.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Business, Marketing, or a related field.
• Experience developing customer business plans and executing promotional programs.
• Strong understanding of customer P&L management and trade investment effectiveness.
• Knowledge of market trends, industry dynamics, competitive activity, and retailer strategies.
• Experience working within cross-functional, matrixed organizations

Why Ornua?

Ornua is a purpose-driven, values-led co-operative creating value for Irish dairy farming families through our global operations. With 10 business units, 16 production facilities, and in-market teams across the world, we operate through two divisions - Ornua Foods, which markets our iconic consumer brands including Kerrygold and Pilgrims Choice, and Ornua Ingredients, which provides innovative, customized dairy ingredient solutions to our customers.

• Our Values lie at the core of everything we do. Our five values encourage us to Seek and Embrace New Ideas, Make It Happen, Be Our True Selves, Show You Care, and Achieve Great Things Together.
• We invest in our people and foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Career progression opportunities, including global mobility.
• Comprehensive benefits with region-specific offerings.
• Dynamic Working policy supporting flexible hours and hybrid work options.

Pay range

$76,500 - $93,500

This range represents the overall market pay rate for candidates who meet the necessary qualifications and experience requirements for this role. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as experience, education, and performance.

Total rewards

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.

Ornua is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be provided with equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or genetic information. Ornua is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact Ornua People Services at 833-450-2385 or [e-mail].

This employer participates in E-Verify, a federal program that verifies the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. As part of the hiring process, information provided on your Form I-9 will be submitted to the E-Verify system. E-Verify compares your information to records maintained by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. For more information about E-Verify, please visit www.e-verify.gov.