29March2024

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Opportunity to Work with Irish Food Businesses in Overseas Markets

 bord bia

Bord Bia recently announced that recruitment is underway for its Marketing Fellowship Programme in association with the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. Bord Bia is seeking applications to fill 25 positions in this unique year-long career enhancement programme which offers potential future leaders in the Irish Food, Drink and Horticulture Industry the opportunity to work on behalf of Irish food companies in overseas markets while completing an MSc International Marketing Practice.

Bord Bia invests €1 million in the annual scholarship programme which sees the successful candidates completing up to 100 business development projects on behalf of a range of Irish food companies in overseas markets. A review of Irish food and drink companies who have been involved in the programme over the last number of years has indicated that the activities of Fellows contributed to additional sales in the region of €30million over three years*.


(l-r) Bord Bia Marketing Fellows John Kiernan, Anne Cooper, Niall McFerran and Judith Clinton announced that recruitment is underway for Bord Bia's Marketing Fellowship Programme 2013-14. Bord Bia is seeking 25 professionals to apply for the unique year-long career enhancement programme which offers potential future industry leaders the opportunity to work on behalf of Irish food companies in overseas markets while completing an MSc International Marketing Practice at UCD Michael Smurfit Business School. Bord Bia invests €1 million in the annual scholarship programme whose activities in overseas markets contributed to additional sales in the region of €30million over three years. The closing date for applications is Monday 4th March 2013. For further information visit www.smurfitschool.ie/bordbia.

Michael Murphy, Director of Markets Bord Bia said "The programme provides an unrivalled opportunity for high potential professionals seeking a career in the Irish food, drink and horticultural industry while greatly enhancing routes to market for Irish businesses overseas. This is the 5th year of the programme which has to date recruited more than 100 fellows who have completed in excess of 400 business development and market research projects for client companies in key international markets. It is worth noting that more than 80% of past Fellows have gone on to secure jobs within the industry both in Ireland and overseas, many of whom are sure to become future leaders in Ireland's largest indigenous industry".


(l-r) Michael Murphy, Director of Markets Bord Bia, Professor Damien McLoughlin of the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and Bord Bia Marketing Fellows John Kiernan and Anne Cooper

Professor Damien McLoughlin of the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School said "We are delighted with the success to date of Bord Bia's Marketing Fellowship programme which offers a great opportunity for professionals wishing to enter Ireland's thriving food and drink industry while gaining a valuable MSc International Marketing Practice. The practical assignment based work combined with academic learning works incredibly well in preparing the candidates for their future careers".

The 2012-2013 programme is still underway with 25 Fellows currently based in UK, USA, United Arab Emirates, Germany, France, China, Scandinavia, Holland, Australia, Spain, Italy, India, Russia and Poland.


(l-r) Bord Bia Marketing Fellows Niall McFerran, Judith Clinton, John Kiernan and Anne Cooper

Current Fellow, John Kieran from Meath, based in Dubai said "The experience so far has been both the most challenging and rewarding experience of my life to date. The programme has provided me with the unique opportunity to rapidly develop an in-depth understanding of the Irish food industry and gain exposure to working with some of Ireland's leading food exporters. I have developed practical skills in establishing new export markets and have gained expert local knowledge and a network of contacts in the diverse and fast growing Middle East Region. In conjunction with this the academic aspect of the programme is furnishing me with marketing and innovation insights that I hope will help me to develop a career in the Irish food industry and contribute to its long term growth." [See notes to editor section for a number of current case studies].

Applicants must be graduates with a minimum of 3 years work experience and an interest in business development and sales. Applicants will undergo a rigorous selection process and 25 candidates demonstrating the most potential to add value to the Irish Food and Drink industry will be selected. The closing date for applications is Monday 4th March 2013 and more information is available on www.smurfitschool.ie/bordbia.

Source: HortiTrends News Room