Cathal Fleming

Background

About Cathal Fleming

In 2008 I completed my Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree from UCD and I joined Dawn Meats as a Graduate trainee in May of that year. I started my Graduate Training Programme at our Retail Packing plant in Wales. There, I was involved in planning, stocking and purchasing raw material for processing within the plant. The plant supplies a number of the major retailers in the UK including Asda, Tesco and Marks & Spencer so the experience I gained was invaluable. In 2009 I moved to Dawn Meats Midleton where I took on a commercial and planning role. I focused on all different types of cuts and specifications for particular customers across Europe. I learned how to plan production for a major boning operation. In July 2009 I relocated to head office in Grannagh, Waterford as the Group Central Planner, working closely with the Sales Team. Shortly after this I became involved in Italian Sales where I worked very closely with the Italian Sales Manager. I spent one year working as the Group Central Planner and Junior Sales Manager for Italy. In July 2010 I returned to Cork, this time to Dawn Meats Charleville, where I worked as a Commercial Manager responsible for a number of European markets including Italy, Spain, Portugal and Belgium. I was involved in selling, planning, forecasting and transport for all these markets. In January 2011 I joined our sales office in Madrid, Spain where I spent four months meeting customers, conducting market research and learning Spanish. It was a vital part of my development as I gained first hand experience of the market and the language. I returned to Charleville to assume the role of Sales Manager for Iberia with overall responsibility for the market. In 2012 I assumed the role of Group Co-ordinator for all frozen offal sales. The role involves dealing with many countries outside of Europe including Asia and also in Africa. Now its time for a break in 2013!