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How to Choose an FMCG Recruitment Agency in Ireland

Seven questions to ask any FMCG recruitment agency before you trust it with your next key hire.

By Julie Bell · Published 28 October 2026 · 3 min read

Two people shaking hands to agree a deal

Key takeaways

Choose an agency that specialises in FMCG, and ask what share of its work is in food, drink and consumer goods.
Check that it regularly fills roles at your level and can reach candidates who are not on the market.
If you hire north and south of the border, make sure it has contacts and candidates in both markets.
Ask how it assesses candidates, to see examples of similar results, and to give its terms in writing.

The right FMCG hire can win you new listings, grow your margins and strengthen your team for years. The wrong one can cost you customers. So choosing a recruitment agency is a decision worth taking care over.

There are plenty of generalist agencies in Ireland, but FMCG has its own language, customers and pressures. Here are seven questions to ask any FMCG recruitment agency before you brief it.

1. Do you specialise in FMCG?

A specialist agency understands the difference between a key account manager for a multiple and one for a wholesaler, knows what a good foodservice track record looks like, and can tell when a candidate's numbers don't add up. Ask what proportion of its work is in food, drink and consumer goods, and which roles it fills most often.

2. Which roles and seniority levels do you recruit?

Some agencies focus on volume roles, others on senior appointments. Check the agency regularly fills roles like yours, whether that's a field sales executive, a national account manager or a managing director.

3. How will you find candidates?

The best FMCG candidates are often in work and not looking. An agency that relies only on job adverts will mostly reach active job seekers. Ask how it finds people who aren't on the market, through its network, direct approaches or executive search.

4. Do you cover the whole island of Ireland?

Many FMCG businesses sell north and south of the border, and many roles cover both. If you're hiring in Dublin, Belfast or for an all-island role, check the agency has contacts and candidates in both markets.

5. How will you assess candidates?

You want a shortlist, not a pile of CVs. Ask how the agency screens candidates, whether it interviews them in person, and how it checks claims about sales results and customer relationships.

6. Can you show me results?

Ask for examples of similar roles the agency has filled, client testimonials or case studies. A good agency will be happy to share them. You can read how we recruited two senior leaders for Crust & Crumb and a managing director for Prep House.

7. What are your terms?

Check the fee structure, when fees are payable, and what happens if a placement doesn't work out. Ask whether the agency offers a rebate or replacement period, and how long it lasts.

Warning signs to watch for

CVs sent before the agency has properly understood your brief
candidates who weren't told your company name or don't know the role
pressure to decide quickly without a clear reason
little knowledge of your customers or competitors

Frequently asked questions

What does an FMCG recruitment agency do?

An FMCG recruitment agency finds, screens and presents candidates for roles in food, drink and consumer goods businesses, from sales and marketing to operations and leadership.

Is there an FMCG recruiter that covers Dublin and Belfast?

Yes. Bell Recruitment is based in Belfast and recruits FMCG roles across the island of Ireland, including Dublin and the rest of the Republic.

How much does an FMCG recruitment agency cost?

Most agencies charge a fee based on a percentage of the successful candidate's first-year salary. Senior executive search is often charged on a retained basis. Ask for terms in writing before you begin.

Talk to Bell Recruitment

Bell Recruitment has been recruiting since 1999 and specialises in FMCG, placing people into food and drink businesses across Northern Ireland and Ireland. Contact Julie Bell to talk about your next hire.

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