Commercial Controller

About the Role:

Based in Portadown, the Northern Ireland (NI) Commercial Controller will build, drive and execute the NI commercial strategy to deliver volume, revenue & margin growth. They will be responsible for leading the NI team, maintenance and enhancement of lead supplier status, building relationships with the NI customer base, delivering profitability of key NI Brands – Golden Cow and Coleraine, managing product launches and collaborating closely with internal cross-functional teams.

What will I be doing?

• Team Leadership & Development: Lead and inspire a high performing commercial team, providing guidance, coaching and support to achieve individual and collective goals.  
• Brand Profitability and Visibility: Lead the development and execution of brand promotion plans for NI Customers to ensure sales and margin targets are achieved. Collaborate with the Brand Marketing team to ensure maximum consumer visibility, within the marketing budget, for Golden Cow and Coleraine in the NI Market
• Customer Management: Lead the team in the development and execution of Customer Plans for the NI Business. Nurture and grow relationships with existing customers while identifying opportunities for new customers.
• Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute an effective NI go to market strategy that aligns with overall business goals. Contribute to the performance and strategy of the Island of Ireland (IOI) business through insightful and helpful membership of the IOI Leadership Team. Analyse NI market trends, competitive landscape, and consumer behaviour to identify growth opportunities and formulate strategies to capitalise on them.
• Revenue & Margin Generation: Drive revenue & margin growth through effective customer negotiation, pricing, and promotional strategies. Monitor sales performance and implement corrective actions as needed to ensure achievement of sales targets. Monitor dairy commodity markets and adjust sales strategies as required.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with marketing, supply chain, finance, and other internal teams to ensure seamless execution of sales initiatives. Gather valuable insights to help shape product development, marketing campaigns, and maximise inventory planning to ensure business targets are achieved.
• Performance & Budget Delivery: NI P&L responsibility. Monitor account performance and market trends to ensure delivery of NI DCF budget. Full ownership of business risks and opportunities tracker. Implement strategies to capitalize on the opportunities and take corrective action to minimise any risks. Prepare reports and presentations for the senior leadership team which track performance, highlight achievements, challenges, and recommended strategies.
• NI Kinisla Profile: In conjunction with IOI Commercial Director, ensure Kinisla profile is maximised in the NI Market.

What do I need to be successful?

At Kinisla, we understand that people have very different career trajectories and experiences. In order to be successful in this role we would be looking for the right competencies and aptitudes as well as your proven track record of success in a similar role and environment.  

These include:

• In depth FMCG and relevant leadership experience.
• Educated to Minimum GSCE Standard (or equivalent), ideally with a degree level qualification or relevant professional qualification.
• Strong commercial awareness.
• Self-starter and results orientated with strong track record of achieving and exceeding sales targets.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, planning & organising, influencing and communication (written and oral) skills.
• Clearly able to demonstrate leadership skills.
• An individual that is passionate and determined.
• Demonstrate a growth mindset & entrepreneurial spirit.
• IT literate to include MS Office, particularly Powerpoint, Excel and Word.

What will I get in return?

At Kinisla, we believe in giving talented, curious people the opportunity to make a difference. We work as a team, searching for the best ways to inspire and lead the evolution of dairy food and nutrition. We are a community of innovators, working across disciplines to solve global food challenges with a fresh approach. We want you to achieve whatever you put your mind to.

We also offer:

• 25 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays)
• Health Care Allowance
• Matched pension scheme up to 10% Employer Contribution
• Benefits platform offering discounts and cashback on major retailers.
• Employee Assistance Policy

 About Kinisla

Kinisla is a vertically integrated farm-to-fork business with a very substantial consumer foods presence and a leading nutritional and dairy ingredients division, delivering high-quality dairy solutions with a focus on sustainability and innovation. From partnering with local family farms to producing world-class dairy products, we ensure every step of our value chain reflects our commitment to excellence.

With over 50 years’ experience in milk processing, dairy and nutritional technology advancement, and product innovation, we are a key stakeholder in the global food industry and creators of a strong portfolio of market leading dairy brands including Cheestrings, Charleville and Coleraine Cheese, Dairygold, Golden Cow and our new SMUG range. Our from food, for food culture and deep-rooted connection to our 2,800 milk suppliers differentiates our business and offers captivating opportunities for our customers and consumers. 

Our dairy comes from some of the world’s richest grazing land and is produced by a network of Irish family farms that have one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world. Through a combination of expertise, innovation, and sustainability, Kinisla is proud to shape the future of dairy while meeting the diverse needs of our farmers, customers, and communities.

Headquartered in Tralee, Co. Kerry, we operate multiple manufacturing facilities in the southwest of Ireland, including Listowel, Charleville, Newmarket, and Farranfore. Additionally, we manage 29 Farm & Home stores throughout the region, ensuring comprehensive coverage and service. In Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom, our presence extends to key locations in Portadown, Coleraine, and Ossett.

Globally, Kinisla employs over 1,700 dedicated professionals across Ireland, the UK, USA, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and China. In 2024, we achieved a turnover of approximately €1.3 billion, reflecting our commitment to excellence and growth.

Get in touch today!

At Kinisla, we benefit from the knowledge of our colleagues who bring a diverse range of cultures, backgrounds, lifestyles and experiences. One team fostering an inclusive culture that, above all, inspires food and nourishes life. One culture where everyone brings their unique perspectives and experiences to help make us better, together. We are committed to nurturing an environment of positivity and inclusiveness, where everyone can be at their best, both personally and professionally.

Our recruitment, selection and assessment process are based on the skills and competencies of the specific roles and based entirely on merit. We are committed to and value Diversity and Inclusion in all recruitment processes within Kinisla and do not discriminate based on gender, race, class, economic status, ethnic background, sexual orientation, age, political beliefs, veteran status, marital status or any other protected characteristic.

Please note: We do not accept CVs or candidate profiles from recruitment agencies where Kinisla terms of business have not been signed. Additionally, we will not consider or agree to payment of any recruiter fee under these circumstances. This also applies to CVs or candidate profiles sent directly to any Kinisla Hiring Managers.