At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth in foodservice partnerships and engage with key accounts.
- Company: Join Lakeland Dairies, a leading dairy processor with global reach.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a fast-paced industry while building valuable relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in foodservice sales and strong account management skills.
- Other info: Exciting career growth in a supportive and inclusive workplace.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
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.
Applications are invited for the position within our Foodservice Sales team.
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 (glen.young@lakelanddairies.com) 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 recruitmentni@lakelanddairies.com.
National Account Executive (Delivered Foodservice) employer: Lakeland Dairies
Contact Detail:
Lakeland Dairies Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land National Account Executive (Delivered Foodservice)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Lakeland Dairies and their key accounts like Brakes and Bidfood. This will help us tailor our conversations and show that we’re genuinely interested in their business.
✨Tip Number 2
Network, network, network! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips and might even put in a good word for us when we apply through our website.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those customer-facing meetings! Think about how we can demonstrate our ability to build genuine partnerships and deliver unique solutions. Role-play with a friend to practice our pitch.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing our enthusiasm for the role. Let’s remind them why we’re the perfect fit for the National Account Executive position.
We think you need these skills to ace National Account Executive (Delivered Foodservice)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the National Account Executive role. Highlight your experience in foodservice and account management, and don’t forget to showcase any relevant achievements that align with the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role at Lakeland Dairies. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to drive sales growth and build strong customer relationships.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; show us how you’ve used them in real situations. Whether it’s managing budgets or developing promotional plans, give examples that illustrate your expertise and how it can benefit our team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lakeland Dairies
✨Know Your Numbers
As a National Account Executive, you'll need to demonstrate your financial aptitude. Brush up on key metrics related to sales growth, budget management, and profitability. Be ready to discuss how you've achieved targets in previous roles and how you plan to do so at Lakeland Dairies.
✨Understand the Market
Familiarise yourself with the UK Foodservice and Wholesaler market. Research competitors, trends, and customer preferences. This knowledge will help you engage in meaningful conversations during the interview and show that you're proactive about understanding the business landscape.
✨Build Rapport
Since this role involves building genuine partnerships, practice your relationship-building skills. Think of examples where you've successfully engaged with clients or stakeholders. Highlight your communication skills and how you can foster collaboration within teams and with customers.
✨Prepare for Travel Questions
Given the travel requirements of the role, be prepared to discuss your flexibility and past experiences with travel. Share how you've managed time and commitments while on the road, and express your enthusiasm for meeting clients face-to-face across the UK and internationally.