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20th December 2016
12:18am GMT
This morning, Bord Bia and the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School announced that they are searching for 30 ambitious self-starters, with strong marketing, sales and business development experience, to represent the Irish food industry overseas in a unique 12 month programme. This is an amazing opportunity to get a chance to get a foot-hold in the Irish food industry and obtain a Masters qualification- all while being paid for the experience! Applicants must have 2-5 years work experience to be considered.
Pictured below are recent graduates of the Bord Bia Marketing Fellowship programme: Gareth Murphy, Sales Manager, Keoghs Crisps and Sonja Matthews, Glanbia Performance Nutrition with current participants in the Bord Bia Business Sustainability Programme Deirdre Ryan, Ruth Moriarty and Philip Cocoman.
Applications are being sought for 2 scholarship programmes which combine academic learning with a foreign industry placement. Those selected will undertake assignments in overseas markets on behalf of Irish food and drink companies which have the potential to generate in excess of €20 million in sales for the companies involved over the next 3 years. This is actually the 7th year that Bord Bia and the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School have worked together on overseas programmes that fuse the food and academic industries.
Michael Murphy, Director of Markets from Bord Bia has this to say
"These two programmes aim to recruit high potential, ambitious, motivated professionals who have aspirations to become future leaders in the Irish food industry. Previous participants have been highly successful in delivering new business and insights on behalf of Irish food companies in overseas markets while obtaining a Masters qualification. This commitment, both to the Irish food industry and to furthering their own academic qualifications, has paid off with over 75% of past participants now employed in exciting positions in both Irish and international food companies".
Applications are now open for the 2 scholarship programmes: Bord Bia Marketing Fellowship Programme (MSc. International Marketing Practice) and the Origin Green Business Sustainability Programme (MSc. in Business Sustainability).
This is an intensive 12-month action learning programme giving successful candidates the combined opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with some of Ireland's leading food companies while also gaining a Masters degree.
Applications are welcomed from graduates with a minimum of 2-3 years work experience and in interest in business development and sales. Some placements will require fluency in a second language. The closing date for applications is 5th March 2015.
This is a two-year programme which aims to develop core expertise and understanding in the area of Business Sustainability specific to the Irish food and drink industry. Participants will undertake an MSc. in Business Sustainability involving a number of taught modules which will provide them with expert knowledge in food sustainability, and a strong insight and understanding of the Irish food industry at sector and industry level. They will then be assigned to overseas markets and/ or company placements to promote Origin Green. Origin Green is the sustainability programme developed by Bord Bia to demonstrate the commitment by Irish food and drink producers to operate sustainably in terms of emissions, energy conservation, water management, biodiversity, community initiatives and health and nutrition.
Applications for this programme are welcome from individuals with five years of commercial experience in the food and drink or marketing sectors who already hold a primary degree in business, science or languages. Applicants must have a keen interest in sustainability and business and some placements will require fluency in a second language. The closing date for applications is April 2015.
Programmes are fully funded with participants receiving a bursary of approximately €23,000 in addition to having their tuition fees paid.
Applications can be made by visiting www.smurfitschool.ie/bordbia. All applicants will undergo a rigorous selection process and the 30 candidates demonstrating the most potential to add value to the Irish Food and Drink industry will be selected.
