Director of eCommerce

Job Title: Director of eCommerce

Location: Remote, with some time in Evanston, Chicago IL

Department: Sales

Reports To:  VP of Sales

Company Background:

The most important element of our company background is our purpose.  We are a dairy cooperative of cooperatives.  That means that we exist to create value for our cooperatives and the 14,000 Irish family dairy farms they support.  This is central to how we operate, critically important for our employees and what fuels our ambition to win.

With that, Ornua is Ireland’s largest exporter of Irish dairy, exporting to over 110 countries with annualised sales of €3.4 billion.

We are multi-national, operating from 19 subsidiaries worldwide and employing over 2,300 staff. Ornua has teams working in-market across all four corners of the globe from Algiers to Beijing, to Lagos and LA.

The business is structured across two core divisions: Ornua Foods and Ornua Ingredients.

Ornua Foods owns the iconic Kerrygold brand, as well as the Pilgrims Choice, Dubliner, Forto and BEO Milk Powder brands.

Ornua Ingredients supplies superior quality dairy ingredients to leading global food manufacturers from some of the world’s most technically advanced manufacturing and prepacking facilities located in Africa, China, Ireland, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the UK and the US.

Ornua Foods North America is headquartered in Evanston, IL with additional teams located throughout the US.  The consumer foods product portfolio is spread across butter, cheese and powders.

The North America division is a powerhouse within Ornua, with an iconic and beloved brand and a highly-engaged, highly inclusive, and high-performing team that, together, have delivered double-digit, profitable growth on the business for the last twenty years.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a strategic, data-driven, and growth-oriented Director of eCommerce to lead our digital commerce strategy and transformation across all online channels. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for creating a cohesive strategy, accelerating revenue growth, expanding our digital shelf presence, and driving brand conversation across retailer.com, pureplay, DTC, and delivery platforms.

The ideal candidate brings a strong commercial mindset, a deep experience of digital retail dynamics, and a proven track record of scaling CPG brands in the eCommerce ecosystem. You will partner cross-functionally with Sales and Marketing, as well as Supply, Finance, Category and Global teams to build a best-in-class digital commerce engine that fuels sustainable growth.

This is a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join a purpose-led organization, winning team, and own transformational digital expansion to continue to drive growth for an iconic brand.

Key Responsibilities:

• eCommerce Strategy Building and Leadership: 
• Develop and execute a comprehensive eCommerce growth strategy aligned with overall company objectives, including channel and customer prioritization, distribution, innovation, pricing and assortment plans
• Define the roadmap to expand sales and market share across retailer.com, pureplay, marketplace, delivery and DTC channels
• Drive the digital P&L by delivering revenue, profit, conversion and share targets while hitting on all key digital KPIs and optimizing trade and marketing investment
• Customer and Platform Partnerships: 
• Lead commercial relationships with key eCommerce retailers and platforms, owning term negotiations, developing joint business plans and driving our category vision
• Collaborate closely with customer sales teams to align online and B&M strategies to unlock holistic incremental growth
• Business Performance and Data-Driven Insights:
• Establish and track eCommerce KPIs including but not limited to sales, conversion rates, traffic, ROAS, digital share and forecast accuracy.
• Deliver actionable insights to senior leadership and provide recommendations on accelerating performance
• Monitor retailer and competitive trends, consumer response and behaviour to proactively adjust strategies
• Cross-Functional Leadership:
• Partner with Marketing, Supply and Finance teams to ensure seamless product availability, competitive pricing and consistent brand messaging
• Lead a high-performing eCommerce team, while in its infancy, set up framework for the future

Qualifications:

• 7+ years of progressive sales leadership experience in CPG industry, digital sales, or omnichannel commercial leadership
• Bachelor’s degree required, MBA preferred
• Proven success growing brands online and all platforms
• Strong understanding of digital shelf levers, media optimization, retail media networks, and performance marketing
• Demonstrated ability of P&L ownership, building strategic partnerships and delivering measurable sales
• Analytical mindset and proficiency with tools like Profitero and similar
• Exceptional leadership, collaboration, and communication skills
• Willingness to travel, both domestically and internationally
• Self-motivated and positive attitude with great energy and growth mindset. Passionate about good, high-quality food.

What You’ll Gain:

• The opportunity to shape the future of a dairy brand in double digit growth in the US
• A collaborative, purpose-driven culture that values innovation and insight
• Competitive compensation, benefits, and career development opportunities
• Dynamic Working policy in place which facilitates flexible hours and hybrid working, with 3 days/week in office, plus a 2 week per year ‘Work From Anywhere’ option.

 

Total Rewards at Ornua Foods North America will include a competitive salary and annual bonus scheme. The following are a list of other benefits you can avail of: low employee contribution for Medical, Vision and Dental benefits cover; 401k; Paid Time Off; Maternity Leave (20 weeks); Parental Leave; Flexible working; Fitness Reimbursement; Charity Donation; Complimentary Kerrygold products; Free car parking and secure bicycle storage; Free healthy snacks and drinks in the office; Reward & Recognition program; Volunteering opportunities; Long Service Awards. The salary range for this role is $158k to $204k and the candidate will be offered a salary commensurate with their level of experience.

Ornua Foods North America Inc is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.