InterTradeIreland Acumen Programme
Company Partner: Dawson Manufacturing & Engineering
Location:
Job Title:
Job Ref No.:
Portadown, Co. Armagh
Sales Development Graduate
AC0311
InterTradeIreland Acumen Programme
The Acumen programme aims to help SMEs, North and South, to grow their business on the island of
Ireland by targeting new cross-border markets. Companies apply for funding and if approved, are provided with assistance toward the recruitment of a sales graduate to work within their company for a period of up to 12 months. Successful candidates will be employed by the company and will undertake the job as outlined in the job specification detailed for each company.
Dawson Manufacturing & Engineering
Based in Portadown, Co. Armagh, Dawson Manufacturing & Engineering is a leader in the design, manufacture and supply of bespoke stainless steel equipment. They have embraced advances in computer technology and utilise their wide range of engineering skills providing services to a number of industry groups – healthcare, food processing, hospitality and construction. Their high quality workmanship and attention to detail has enabled Dawson Manufacturing & Engineering to become a trusted name in bespoke engineering in Ireland.
Dawson Manufacturing & Engineering has a stellar reputation in the healthcare industry for the supply and fit-out of custom-built theatre units to hospitals and private clinics. Along with the design and manufacture of the units, Dawson Manufacturing also supplies the theatre equipment such as trolleys, tables and sink units. Dawson Manufacturing & Engineering are progressively creating and designing new and cutting edge products. More information available at: www.dawsonme.com
Graduate
Reporting to the Company Director, the sales graduate will be supported by the team and be responsible for new business generation. After developing an understanding of all aspects of the business, you should be capable of indentifying new markets in order to increase cross-border sales.
The ideal graduate should have relevant engineering qualifications along with passion and the drive

to create new business for Dawson Manufacturing. There is great scope and opportunity for progression to a higher position, as Sales Director with the company if you are the right candidate and develop this role.
Main Duties
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Assist in the preparation of a New Business Development Plan
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Assist on the monitoring of progress on the plan
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Investigate new markets in ROI
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Establish new customer relationships in ROI
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Drive increased profitable sales with the management team
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Daily interaction with Managing Director
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Meeting goals and targets set by the company
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Attend Postgraduate Diploma in Sales Development delivered by Michael Smurfit Graduate
Business School, UCD
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Assist with the preparation of a Final Report required by InterTradeIreland
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Any other duties which may fall within the general ambit of the post
Career Development
The project is 12 months in duration and offers the ideal opportunity for the Graduate to develop managerial and sales skills. The project will provide valuable career experience and help develop an understanding of the commercial reality of business and sales. At the end of the project there is an excellent opportunity for permanent employment with the Company. All Graduates on the
InterTradeIreland Acumen Programme have the advantage of being a part of a wider network of
InterTradeIreland Acumen Graduates with a clear plan for career development.
Post Graduate Diploma in Sales Development
You will be expected to attend a sales development course, specifically designed for
InterTradeIreland Acumen Graduates and delivered by Ireland’s leading graduate business school,
Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, UCD. Through a combination of classroom learning, action learning and assignments, you will learn how to apply sales strategy, how to manage customer accounts, develop marketing and customer value propositions, and acquire an excellent business management skill set. This learning combined with the experience gained in your Company role will enhance your personal, professional and managerial capabilities to equip you with the necessary skills to take up future leadership roles in business. The course consists of four 2-day workshops and a substantial final research project. On successful completion of the training, you will obtain a Post Graduate Diploma in Sales Development, accredited by UCD.
Location
The successful candidate will be based at Dawson Manufacturing & Engineering offices in 3
Charlestown Crescent, Portadown, Craigavon, Co. Armagh, BT63 5ZE. The Graduate will also travel independently on occasions between Dawson offices and UCD. Independent travel to other locations will also be required occasionally as the job dictates.

Qualifications and Experience
Essential Criteria
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Third level degree
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Eligible to work in Northern Ireland
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Computer literate
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Have the ability to work to targets and time deadlines
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As this post requires the applicant to travel on official duty, the successful candidate must have the access to a form of transport which will enable them to fulfil their responsibilities
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Highly motivated and driven, with strong attention to detail
Desirable Criteria
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Engineering Qualification
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Experience working in sales or marketing role
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Knowledge of the engineering industry
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Proven ability to work on own initiative
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Proven ability to work as part of a team
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Positive and enthusiastic attitude to work
Personal Qualities and Skills
In addition to satisfying the above eligibility criteria, applicants will also be expected to demonstrate the following competencies at an assessment day:
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Problem solving skills
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Ability to work as part of a team
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Good interpersonal skills
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Ability to communicate effectively with others both verbally and in writing
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Ability to show initiative and self-motivate
Remuneration
Will be decided following final interview.
Application and selection
Application is by completion of an application form only. Please include job reference number on application form and email completed form to graduate@acumenprogramme.com
Successful applicants will be asked to complete an online interview within one week of closing date, followed by an invitation to attend an assessment day which will be held in Dublin in June.

All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit and applications must be accompanied by a completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form.
Closing date for all applications is Thursday 2 nd June 2011 at 12 noon.