Strategic Partner

Join to apply for the Strategic Partner role at Compass Group Ireland.

We are the leading foodservice and hospitality provider across the Island of Ireland and we are looking for a Strategic Retention Partner to join our team on a full-time, permanent contract. Reporting into the Managing Director, the Retention Partner will be accountable for building solid client relationships working alongside the Irish & UK retention teams. You will determine winning strategies for new clients, and identify issues that may prevent a client engaging/re-engaging with Compass. Collaborating with the retention team, you will develop winning bids to support business growth and establish a specific target list of contracts that could grow the business further.

• Actively seek out potential cross selling opportunities
• Collaborate with cross functions, such as Operations & Sales teams to maximise potential growth
• Identify and pursue opportunities to extend services in additional locations
• Coach the Operations team to develop their Account Management skills and application & deliver training if needed
• Oversee and direct the bid team in the tender process to ensure client specifications are concise & clearly identified at each stage, such as presentation themes & strategy, bid documents, etc.
• Implement and complete an accurate relationship matrix for each account
• Leverage customer data to build actionable plans to improve engagement
• Identify the appropriate retention/new business strategy for each client relevant to the timing of the contract renewal
• Identify potential opportunities to renew/extend service offerings and avoid re-tender – ensure the must haves are addressed in the client proposal
• A clear understanding of critical business issues for all clients
• Uncover and establish the objections during the research phase
• Define and communicate the 'Win Strategy' to relevant stakeholders
• Ensure all internal key stakeholders (operations & retention teams etc.) are confident in the client strategy & actions required
• Ensure ownership for all required actions are clearly assigned with the required timelines
• Keep regularly updated Contract Tracker
• Annually conduct client interviews & record interviews on the Contract Tracker
• Entered risk assessment onto Contract Tracker & regularly update the relevant stakeholders as needed

• Experience in establishing, developing and maintaining systems
• Knowledge of the Irish food industry
• Excellent IT skills (such as Microsoft Suite, SAP, Adobe, CRM databases etc)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal & Relationship building skills
• High level of self-awareness, & proactive approach to self-development
• Able to influence and operate at all levels, challenge where necessary
• Ability to build engagement at all levels
• Ability to drive change with effective project and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to work within the field with potential for some overnight stays
• Full driver's license (travel is required)
• Able to work under pressure to manage multiple projects
• Experience in outreach networking
• Senior stakeholder management experience

Compass Group reserves the right to enhance the criteria, if necessary, for the purposes of shortlisting.

• Car or car allowance with a fuel card
• Pension contribution
• Free meals while at work
• Free parking at our Head office
• Perks shopping discount Card which can be used across the Island of Ireland to save at various restaurants, high street stores, hotels, day out venues, gyms, golf courses and many more
• Flexible working to support work life balance
• Additional Leave Purchase scheme to balance home and work life
• Life assurance cover
• Additional, seasonal and overtime hours available
• Career Pathways to support career progression and/or skills development
• Learning & development programs available for personal and professional development & growth
• Access to wellness programs to promote mental health and wellbeing of our colleagues
• Employee Assistance Program to guide and support our employees
• Exciting internal reward and recognition schemes

At Compass Ireland, our people are our business. When you join the Compass Group you will be joining a supportive network of incredible individuals, each united by their passion for going the extra mile for the organisations we partner with. We are building a team who care about providing a great customer experience and want to grow and develop as we do. We are dedicated to investing in every colleague joining us and pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer; we celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment for all our colleagues. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

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