Specialist FMCG Talent Search for commercial and brand growth

Specialist FMCG Talent Search for commercial and brand growth

Helping consumer brands and retailers across Ireland hire experienced commercial, sales, brand, marketing and category professionals.

Specialist FMCG Talent Search for commercial and brand growth

FMCG businesses operate in competitive markets where customer relationships, consumer behaviour, brand performance and commercial execution are closely connected. The right people can strengthen routes to market, grow important accounts, build brand equity and identify opportunities across established and emerging channels.

Finding those people requires an understanding of more than their functional experience. Strong FMCG professionals may also need knowledge of particular product categories, customer groups, sales channels and retailer relationships.

Connexus works primarily with consumer brands and retailers across the Republic of Ireland. Our FMCG recruitment covers food, beverages, alcohol, health and beauty, and other consumer-product categories.

We recruit across commercial leadership, sales, business development, national accounts, brand management, trade marketing and category management. Our work ranges from developing professionals through to experienced specialists, managers and senior leaders.

We take time to understand the commercial purpose of the appointment, the customers and channels involved and the results expected from the successful candidate. This allows us to assess relevant market experience alongside commercial judgement, stakeholder capability and potential fit with the organisation.

Connexus supports permanent, contract and interim FMCG appointments, adapting the search to the urgency, complexity and longer-term needs of the business.

Since 2014: Supporting organisations across Ireland with specialist recruitment.

How we approach FMCG Talent Search

MAP
1

MAP

We clarify the commercial purpose of the role, the product category, customers, channels and results expected from the successful candidate. We then map the relevant FMCG talent market against those requirements.

ENGAGE
2

ENGAGE

We approach suitable active and passive professionals, assessing their category experience, channel knowledge, commercial track record, motivations and potential fit with the organisation.

DELIVER
3

DELIVER

We present a focused shortlist supported by clear candidate information, market feedback and practical guidance concerning availability, salary expectations and the interview process.

CONNECT
4

CONNECT

We support interview coordination, feedback, offer management and communication through to placement, helping both parties make a well-informed decision.

Appointing a commercial leader

Appointing a commercial leader

A consumer brand or retailer preparing for growth may need a Commercial Director or Head of Sales who can strengthen commercial strategy, improve performance and create greater consistency across customers and channels.

Hiring a National Account Manager

A consumer brand may require an experienced National Account Manager who understands the relevant retailer or channel and can balance revenue growth, margin, customer relationships and longer-term account development.

Strengthening brand and category capability

A brand or retailer looking to improve commercial performance may need a Brand Manager or Category Manager who can interpret consumer and customer information, identify opportunities and translate insight into effective activity.

FMCG roles we recruit

Connexus recruits professionals at every level across FMCG commercial leadership, sales, business development, national accounts, brand management, trade marketing and category management.

Our searches support consumer brands and retailers across food, beverages, alcohol, health and beauty, and other consumer-product categories.

Commercial and sales leadership

  • Commercial Director
  • Head of Sales
  • Commercial Manager
  • Marketing Director
  • Marketing Manager

Business development and route-to-market

  • Business Development Manager
  • Business Development Executive
  • Business Developer
  • Account Developer

National and key accounts

  • National Account Manager
  • Key Account Manager
  • Grocery Account Manager
  • On-Trade Account Manager
  • Off-Trade Account Manager
  • Out-of-Home Account Manager

Brand and trade marketing

  • Senior Brand Manager
  • Brand Manager
  • Assistant Brand Manager
  • Trade Marketing Manager
  • Brand Ambassador

Category and insight

  • Category Manager
  • Category and Insight Manager

The scope of these appointments can vary considerably between organisations. We work with employers to define the product-category knowledge, channel experience, customer relationships and commercial capabilities genuinely required before approaching the market.

Employers with wider functional requirements can also explore our Sales and Business Development Talent Search and Marketing and Digital services.

FMCG requirements centred on online trading, marketplaces or digital commerce are supported through our dedicated eCommerce and Product service.

What employers say about working with Connexus

“I have worked with the team at Connexus for over a year now. They have supported on everything from assistant to senior manager roles to contract appointments. No ask has been too small for Connexus, the team have always sought to understand our business and the needs of each of the roles. They have placed some really successful candidates. Communication is excellent, I would highly recommend.”
General Paints Group
General Paints Group
Head of Marketing
“I have worked with Connexus to recruit a number of team members during my time as Head of Marketing at Very Ireland. Connexus has been a joy to work with each time and really took a lot of time to understand not only the requirements of each role but also to understand the company culture and myself as a manager so he could find and place the right candidates. I highly recommend Connexus and I will continue to work with them in the future.”
The Very Group
The Very Group
Head of Marketing
“I cannot speak highly enough about the excellent service provided by Keith and his Team at Connexus. From the initial consultation to the successful placement of candidates, every step of the process was handled with professionalism, efficiency, and a deep understanding of our company's culture and needs.”
LifeStyle Sports
LifeStyle Sports
Head of Talent Acquisition

When FMCG employers engage Connexus

Specialist recruitment support for commercially important, difficult or time-sensitive FMCG appointments.

Strengthening commercial leadership

Hiring a Commercial Director, Head of Sales or Commercial Manager who can set direction, improve performance and support profitable growth across several customers or channels.

Securing national account expertise

Finding an experienced National Account Manager with the commercial judgement, customer knowledge and relationship capability needed to manage strategically important accounts.

Building brand capability

Recruiting brand and marketing professionals who can understand the consumer, translate strategy into effective activity and strengthen performance across customer channels.

Expanding into a new channel

Hiring professionals with relevant experience across grocery, convenience, on-trade, off-trade or out-of-home markets.

Improving category performance

Adding category and insight capability to help the organisation interpret consumer behaviour, identify opportunities and make stronger commercial decisions.

Filling an urgent capability gap

Securing a permanent, contract or interim professional to maintain commercial momentum, provide specialist expertise or support the team during a period of change.

What the market means for FMCG employers

What the market means for FMCG employers

Experienced FMCG professionals often develop valuable category knowledge, channel expertise and customer relationships over several years. Those performing strongly within established brands or retailers may not be actively applying for new positions, making direct engagement an important part of the recruitment process.

The Connexus Talent Insights report recorded a median time-to-hire of eight weeks. For business-critical FMCG appointments, delays in defining the requirements, arranging interviews or making decisions can make it harder to secure preferred candidates.

Before beginning a search, employers should agree:

• The commercial outcomes the successful candidate will own.
• The product categories, customers and channels involved.
• Which existing customer or retailer relationships are important.
• Whether direct category or channel experience is essential.
• The balance between new business, account growth and brand development.
• The revenue, margin, market-share or distribution objectives attached to the role.
• The level of leadership, strategic responsibility and hands-on delivery required.
• Whether the requirement is permanent, contract or interim.
• The salary range, working arrangement and travel expectations.
• Who will participate in interviews and approve the appointment.
• How quickly feedback and decisions can be provided.

A well-defined brief enables a more focused search and gives suitable candidates a clearer understanding of the scope and commercial importance of the opportunity.

Employers can use the Connexus Salary Guide to review relevant commercial and marketing salary benchmarks. The Role Competitive Scorecard can also help assess the wider attractiveness of an appointment before beginning the search.

FMCG hiring advice and market insights

FMCG Talent Search FAQs

Connexus recruits professionals at every level across commercial leadership, sales, business development, national accounts, brand management, trade marketing and category management.

Roles include Commercial Directors, Heads of Sales, Business Development Executives, National Account Managers, Marketing Managers, Brand Managers, Assistant Brand Managers, Trade Marketing Managers and Category Managers.

Connexus works primarily with consumer brands and retailers across food, beverages, alcohol, health and beauty, and other consumer-product categories.

The appropriate candidate market will depend on the product category, customer base, route to market and experience required for the appointment.

FMCG appointments centred on online trading, marketplaces, digital merchandising or digital commerce are supported through our specialist eCommerce and Product recruitment service.

This ensures the search reflects both the consumer market and the specific digital or product capabilities required.

Yes. Connexus works with consumer brands and retailers hiring FMCG professionals across the Republic of Ireland.

The appropriate search will depend on the location, working arrangement, level of travel and proximity required to customers, retail partners or the wider team.

Yes. We can conduct focused and confidential searches for senior, leadership and commercially important FMCG appointments.

We combine market mapping, direct engagement, specialist networks and our existing talent community to reach relevant professionals who may not be actively applying for jobs.

Timelines depend on the seniority of the appointment, availability of the required category and channel experience, salary, location and complexity of the interview process.

Connexus Talent Insights recorded a median time-to-hire of eight weeks. A clear brief and efficient decision process can help employers maintain momentum.

Connexus

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