Business Development & Farm Support Lead

Company Overview

Dairygold Co-Operative Society Ltd is a major farmer-owned agribusiness in Ireland and the country’s second-largest dairy processor. Based in Munster’s Golden Valleys area, the co-operative handles about 1.44 billion litres of milk each year from roughly 2,500 milk suppliers. It has more than 1,300 employees across Ireland, the UK, Germany and Spain. In 2025, the business recorded turnover of around €1.5 billion, underlining its scale, market strength and continued growth. The company provides opportunities in a dynamic, values-led environment with close ties to farming communities.

Role Summary

This is a full-time, on-site position in Mallow focused on helping Dairygold expand and strengthen its farm supplier network. The role combines commercial development with hands-on farm support, including identifying new opportunities, building partnerships, promoting products and services to current and potential farm customers, and advising suppliers on how to improve performance, sustainability and profitability.

What You’ll Do

• Source and develop new business opportunities, with an emphasis on lead generation and relationship building.
• Promote relevant products and services to both existing and prospective farm customers.
• Provide on-farm guidance and advisory support to help suppliers improve outcomes across performance, sustainability and profitability.
• Carry out market research and review farm and commercial data to identify trends and opportunities.
• Prepare proposals, reports and inputs for commercial planning.
• Maintain strong working relationships with farmer members and internal teams.
• Represent Dairygold at meetings, events and farm visits across the region.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will bring a mix of commercial thinking, agricultural understanding and client-facing skills. You should be comfortable working independently in the field while also contributing effectively within a wider team.

Additional Information

The role requires regular travel within the region for farm visits and stakeholder meetings. A full, valid driving licence is essential.

Qualifications and Experience

• Proven background in business development and lead generation, preferably in agribusiness, dairy or a similar sector.
• Strong ability to analyse farm performance information, market movements and commercial reports.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills, with the confidence to build trusted relationships with farmer members and stakeholders.
• Experience in market research and the ability to turn findings into practical recommendations.
• A third-level qualification in agriculture, agribusiness, business or a related discipline, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Knowledge of dairy farming systems, advisory work and rural enterprise development is an advantage.
• Good planning, organisation and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on achieving measurable outcomes.
• Competence with standard business software such as MS Office and openness to using digital tools for analysis and reporting.
• Ability to work both autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Full, valid driving licence and willingness to travel regularly within the region.