Enda Martin Lohan
Loughrea,G
Summary
Results-driven professional with a successful career in global multinational companies within the FMCG sector. Experienced in regulatory manufacturing processes for brand and private label categories. Skilled in managing multiple RTM models and engaging with UK and International retailers. Proven track record of overseeing third-party distributors, manufacturing, and 3PL partners. Strong in multi-functional team management, key stakeholder P&L responsibilities, marketing platform execution, and investment management. Demonstrated leadership in sales, marketing, NPD, research, finance, manufacturing/supply chain, and bespoke development projects.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Foods of Athenry Ltd
05.2025 - Current
- The Fields of Athenry are a renowned award winning former farm family Bakery specialising in the production of Gluten, Dairy Free and Vegan foods.
- Being the first senior management recruit outside of the family owned and founder led business, the key objective is to conduct a route and branch assessment of the current company structure to evaluate all elements of the business across every department from procurement, manufacturing, sales, marketing and finance.
- Principle Responsibilities
- Implement a step change project to ensure the foundations and structure of the company are fit for purpose to double the business within a 3-5 year timeframe to €15m turnover.
- Lead the current commercial team and develop channel led strategies to ensure route to market efficiencies and compliance.
- Enhance departmental structures and resources to meet current and future demand.
- Engage with private label partners and develop insights led category growth opportunities in Ireland and the UK.
- Develop an International growth strategy for Branded Portfolio.
- Assume the responsibilities of the Founder/MD who wishes to step away from a full time role within the business.
Head of Sales (Interim) - LIR Chocolates
Zertus UK & Ireland
10.2024 - 05.2025
- Full commercial responsibilities for LIR, to include delivery of €50m+ budget turnover, along with margin and investment targets by strategically managing all commercial aspects of domestic, UK and International customer base. Leading a team of Account Managers to ensure sales and gross margin targets are met within the agreed spend budget. As a key member of the LIR site leadership team, this role involves close collaboration with commercial, finance, planning, NPD, and operational teams to drive success and develop a 3-5 year strategic growth plans for all private label, licenced, and own brand agendas.
- Principle Responsibilities
International Business Development Manager
Zertus UK & Ireland
04.2024 - 10.2024
- 12-month full time contracted role with a remit to develop and execute strategies for the business unit to include route to market and key regional growth for core brands Bailey’s, Guinness and NOMO to USA, ME, ASIA. Increase group sales in line with filling capacity created by projects Jago & Gala. Spearhead an Internationalisation project with Zertus Group.
- Within 3 months I was also asked to take over the commercial management of key markets to include Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Baltics, Slovakia and other growth markets.
- Principle Responsibilities
Consultant - Self-Employed
Consultant - Self-Employed
04.2022 - 03.2024
- Undertaking contract and interim project work whilst finalising relocation back to Ireland.
- Completed Projects
- Commercial Business Manager – Brandshapers Ireland Limited
- Appointed to assist with an internal strategy and restructuring project for this leading Irish Grocery and Pharmacy Distribution business and develop a 5-year onboarding program to attract best in class global brands.
- Additional remit as commercial lead for the Food & Drinks Division worth €25m managing brands such as MyProtein, BFREE Foods, Doves Farm, St Michel, Bonne Maman, LoBros, Velo Coffee, Parachute CBD, and others.
- General Manager – Brusco Food Group, UK
- Appointed as GM to analyse the viability and potential of Adult Alcohol Deserts brand POP’D LTD following administration process at £15m revenue state. Management and development of all aspects of the business from new Middle East investor relationship management, third party sourcing/manufacturing and 3PL partner appointment. Also required the management and renegotiation of licence agreements with Diageo brands Gordon’s and PIMMS and securing new third-party manufacturing contracts.
International Director
Natural Balance Foods Ltd, (Lotus Bakeries)
10.2018 - 02.2022
- Appointed Director of International business and part of the executive leadership team within NBF Ltd and continued to lead the internal strategic growth agenda, along with re-aligning all Inter-Company Global expansion plans with Lotus Bakeries Group offices across Europe to ensure a robust and repeatable model along with maintaining the brand integrity for both Nakd and Trek brands.
- Key Achievements
- Completed the restructuring of the USA business to include the closure of offices in California, and the setup of a new NBF Inc office in Chicago, along with taking full control of the development of the Nakd brand from Lotus USA with a 3-year plan to deliver $5m T/O.
- Expanded to new region and launched a new Arabic language portfolio across the Middle East and GCC priority markets.
- Included working with ingredient suppliers and third-party manufacturing partners to develop bespoke product portfolios
- Successfully launched into new channels in Israel with Super-pharm, UAE with Life Pharmacy, Hong Kong with Watsons, and Bahrain with Nasser Pharmacy.
- Validated and gained commitment on 5-year plan across all International and Intercompany business units to deliver £50m sales revenue by 2025.
Head of International
Natural Balance Foods Ltd, (Lotus Bakeries)
01.2015 - 10.2018
- Appointed to a new senior management role within NBF reporting directly to the founder/CEO, leading the international division, and developing the strategic growth plans and objectives as part of a comprehensive external investment partner project.
- Overall responsibility to evaluate and enhance third party distributor partner performance, route to market structure, and focus priorities for international team development. Full P&L ownership of £25m budget, £5m A&P investment and commercial KPI objectives.
- Principle Responsibilities
- Defining and implementing the strategic 3–5-year development plan for NBF International business.
- Commissioning and evaluation of market entry research projects and identifying priority markets and optimum route to market options with agency partners across Europe and Globally.
- Rationalising regional portfolios and NPD development, and identifying regional distribution opportunities in secondary Eurozone, Middle East, and East Asia markets.
- Managing third party distribution partners and optimizing brand development and strategic trade and marketing investment plans.
- Successfully managing Tesco ROI as direct account and achieving 3 X growth in 18 months.
- Managing International business for UK based retailers Boots, Holland & Barrett, WH Smith and JV partners for Waitrose, Tesco etc.
- Leading the integration process with new majority partners, Lotus Bakeries and implementing standalone European and USA business units, along with building the on-boarding and brand training platforms for integration into all current Lotus Sales Office locations.
- Key Achievements
- Increased revenue from £1m to £3.3m in year 2 and assigned eight new distribution partners in key European markets in Year 1.
- Conducted major overhaul of current distribution partners and RTM structure to enhance market growth and ensure core market priorities and focus with all partners.
- Successfully integrated Benelux Business Unit hub with parent company to manage core investment markets. Year 1 revenue growth from £1.2m to £2.8m.
- Achieved double digit growth across NBF direct distributor network and grown to over sixty-five countries worldwide in years 2&3, with like for like growth of £4m, and transfer of additional £2m to Benelux Inter-company Business Unit.
Senior Business Development Manager - Retail & B2B
Bokomo Foods UK Ltd (Pioneer Foods)
11.2013 - 12.2014
- Reporting directly to the CEO, with responsibility for UK and ROI private label business worth £15million and growth agenda across ASDA, Sainsbury, Waitrose, M&S, Co-op, Musgrave’s, and Morrison’s.
- Additional remit to lead NPD and project management of all B2B and licensed business for brands such as Lizi’s, FUEL24, Food Doctor, Kerry Ingredients, Yeo Valley, Flahavan’s, Dole.
- Principle Responsibilities
- Managing the implementation of a step change process in the management of private label customers and investment initiatives.
- Lead NPD manufacturing process from product development to concept and launch.
- Initiating International development project through parent company Pioneer Foods, South Africa.
- Key Achievements
- Enhancing the commercial insights and research opportunities for major internal cap-ex development and customer projects.
- Significant new and profitable business wins across established and new customer base.
Senior Regional Manager – Middle East/Asia Pacific
Weetabix Food Company Ltd
07.2009 - 10.2012
- Responsibility for the high growth and strategic focus regions of Middle East, China, Asia Pacific, India, Australasia, and North Africa with expectations to double the business to £30 million NSV within 3 years.
- Principle Responsibilities
- Strategic investment and management of all regional P&L’s.
- Project management of priority market categorization and 3-year investment planning.
- Setting and managing commercial and marketing agenda for regional development and third-party JV’s.
- Key Achievements
- Successfully delivered phase one of continued NSV growth expectations and investment prioritization strategy…
- 15% YOY growth in East Asia, 35% YOY growth in China,12% incremental sales in Middle East, 30% YOY growth in Australasia. 10% YOY growth in African markets.
- Developed first Middle East marketing campaign and consumer education toolkit.
International Sales and Marketing Manager – Europe
Weetabix Food Company Ltd
12.2007 - 07.2009
- Responsible for all commercial activities by directly managing the core and established European markets and leading international market managers within the export business unit worth €50 million.
- Realigning brand marketing and consumer communications following pan-European research study.
- Directly managing all UK Multiple relationships in European/Global Markets.
- Principle Responsibilities
- Bringing industry standard best practice sales and marketing structures to a stagnant and trading orientated export business unit and implementing commercial strategies to ensure long-term and profitable growth across varied international markets.
- Directly managing the key international markets of France, Finland and Italy and overseeing the transition of regional commercial business units to third party distributor management models including key account and enhanced commercial trading model platforms.
- Project lead on international development strategy and 3-year planning for accelerated and sustainable business unit growth across brand and private label.
- Key Achievements
- Consistently delivered NSV, GCAM and cash targets within core European markets and effectively managed P&L delivery of wider international sales team. Delivered NSV organic growth in France +6%. Finland +4%, and Italy +9%.
Market Development Manager – MED/CEE
Kellogg Company of Europe Ltd
10.2003 - 11.2007
- Reporting directly to the Managing Director with responsibility for a €30 million portfolio across the defined core, growth and risk management markets of Israel, Iceland, Baltic’s, CEE, Russia, North Africa, East & West Africa, and Middle East.
Territory Sales Manager
Kellogg Company of Ireland Ltd
10.2001 - 10.2003
- Management of #1 sales territory within Kellogg Co of Ireland structure through management of all national, key, and local trade accounts in Munster region. Team leadership and management of direct and contracted sales & merchandising units before promotional move to European HQ in Manchester.
Project / Marketing Manager
Navillus Contracting Ltd, New York
09.1996 - 10.2001
- Sponsored working commitments during semi-professional rugby union contract, along with coaching and mentoring responsibilities within Manhattan College Jaspers Sports Academy.
Business Development Manager
Masterfoods Ireland Ltd
08.1995 - 09.1996
- Contracted as part of forecourts development project team to identify channel opportunities across total Masterfoods portfolio of Mars Confectionary, Uncle Bens & Dolmio, and Pedigree Pet foods.
Field Sales Representative
Cadbury Ireland
09.1991 - 08.1995
- Lead sales and merchandising role across all direct, symbol and wholesale accounts in Southeast region.
Education
Charter Member -
The Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade
London, UK07.2025
Certificate -
City & Guilds London
London, UK01.2025
Certificate - Information Technology & Process Management
St Brigid’s Community College, Co Galway, Ireland
Galway, Ireland01.1990
High School Diploma -
St Brigid’s Community College, Co Galway, Ireland
Galway, Ireland06.1988
Skills
- Project Leader - Kellogg European Category Development Project
- Commercial team representative on Eastern European / Russia development and market entry project
- Project and Financial Management – LRC Ltd, Manchester
- Senior Impact & Influence – Vivvid Ltd, Manchester
- SQUARE management solutions training – London
- Managing People & Performance – ASA Training, Dublin
- Certificate in Project Management – New York University
- Full Driving Licence
- Leadership and team building
- Operations management
Hobbies and Interests
Rugby (played to provincial underage & semi-pro level USA) GAA (played to county underage level), Tennis (played to Provincial Underage Level) Golf, Cycling, Hiking, Travelling, Youth Mentoring & Coaching, Environmental Sustainability Volunteer, Animal Rescue Provider.
Timeline
General Manager
Foods of Athenry Ltd
05.2025 - Current
Head of Sales (Interim) - LIR Chocolates
Zertus UK & Ireland
10.2024 - 05.2025
International Business Development Manager
Zertus UK & Ireland
04.2024 - 10.2024
Consultant - Self-Employed
Consultant - Self-Employed
04.2022 - 03.2024
International Director
Natural Balance Foods Ltd, (Lotus Bakeries)
10.2018 - 02.2022
Head of International
Natural Balance Foods Ltd, (Lotus Bakeries)
01.2015 - 10.2018
Senior Business Development Manager - Retail & B2B
Bokomo Foods UK Ltd (Pioneer Foods)
11.2013 - 12.2014
Senior Regional Manager – Middle East/Asia Pacific
Weetabix Food Company Ltd
07.2009 - 10.2012
International Sales and Marketing Manager – Europe
Weetabix Food Company Ltd
12.2007 - 07.2009
Market Development Manager – MED/CEE
Kellogg Company of Europe Ltd
10.2003 - 11.2007
Territory Sales Manager
Kellogg Company of Ireland Ltd
10.2001 - 10.2003
Project / Marketing Manager
Navillus Contracting Ltd, New York
09.1996 - 10.2001
Business Development Manager
Masterfoods Ireland Ltd
08.1995 - 09.1996
Field Sales Representative
Cadbury Ireland
09.1991 - 08.1995
Charter Member -
The Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade
Certificate -
City & Guilds London
Certificate - Information Technology & Process Management
St Brigid’s Community College, Co Galway, Ireland
High School Diploma -
St Brigid’s Community College, Co Galway, Ireland
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