Each month, we put the spotlight on a Glanbia Ireland employee and for our September newsletter, we’re talking to Conor O’Donovan

Originally from West Cork, Conor O’Donovan has held the role of Senior Director of Market Development – North America at Tirlán for the past four years. It’s a role that has proved both challenging and exciting and one in which he has thrived; in 2018, Conor successfully led the launch of Tirlán’s first North America-based consumer brand, Truly Grass Fed. Since then, he has continued to lead the TGF team with agility, instilling within the group a positive, can-do culture.

“I’m responsible for the commercial development of the TGF brand across the US market, which started with cheese and then moved into butter. Myself and the team work together to build awareness around the brand and to ensure consumers know the story – that Tirlán is committed to small family farming and that 100% of the dairy used in our products are sourced from a Co-op of small family farms who are quite often third and fourth generation Irish farmers. That’s the story and background that consumers love to hear and really get behind.”

The Truly Grass Fed brand is really beginning to resonate with customers, says Conor. “I think that now we’re coming out of the pandemic, we’re refocusing our efforts on sustainability in particular. We just need to look around our own environment to see the effects of global warming. People are also beginning to ask questions in relation to animal welfare; they want to feel good about what they eat and what they give to their families. We’re very much in that space at the moment and we’re beginning to resonate with shoppers as we grow our distribution and get more product on shelf.”

Conor left West Cork for the US 16 years ago (“I told my mam I’d only be gone for about 18 months and she’s still asking me when I’m coming home”) before relocating to Chicago to take up the role at Tirlán in 2018.

“What I love about Chicago is the big city vibe you get here. You can get every type of food you can think of and there’s so much to do from a culture point of view. Every weekend there’s something new and exciting going on. The people here are also really friendly, they remind me of the warm welcome that people at home extend to strangers. The direct flight from Chicago back home is also a big draw. The long winter takes a bit of getting used to though. The temperature can drop to -22 degrees!”

Conor relishes the challenges that his role at Tirlán brings on a daily basis. “No two days are the same. Every day presents a new hurdle to overcome, whether that is securing a meeting with new retailers, something on the export side of the business, or an issue related to existing customers. When I’m describing my role to people, I often say I’m a bit like a fireman. I’m putting out a different fire every day, which keeps it exciting and makes sure everyone stays on their toes.”

When he first began working at Tirlán four years ago, Conor was told it’s just like working with family. “I remember thinking it was an unusual thing to say about a place of work. But four years later, I completely understand why people would have said that. To me, that’s exactly what it is, a family. Everybody’s input is valued and people are empowered to go out there and make the best decision for both Tirlán and for the customer.”

Conor, with his wife Rachel and their daughter Eimear