Conor Corcoran

Early Consulting and Academic Foundations

1995 - 2000

I began my career at PwC Dublin in 1995 as a junior consultant in the Import-Export practice, advising clients on computer component classification under EU regulations. In 1996, I returned to full-time studies, earning a BSc in Management from Trinity College Dublin (1996–2000) and a Diploma in Marketing from Dublin Institute of Technology (2001). During a six-month placement at EBS Building Society Ireland, I advised retail clients on mortgage and investment products, reinforcing my passion for client-focused financial solutions.

Trade Marketing in France

2000 - 2004

In 2000, I relocated to Paris to master French and joined Brasseries Kronenbourg's trade-marketing team. There, I designed a pilot program with key retail accounts in the on-trade in France. This program increased tap visibility by 50% through localized promotions, in-store tastings, live Irish music events, and bespoke POS materials.

Australian Experience

2004 - 2005

In Melbourne, I managed a number of well-known Irish pubs before traveling the country for six months. Then in 2005, I returned to France, armed with a lot of new ideas—notably screw-cap wine and its use in pubs. I observed that Australian pubs had zero wine waste thanks to screw caps and clearly labeled bottles featuring the grape varietal on the front.

Global Beverage Distribution

2005 - 2006

Back in France, I started a role as a business developer for small to medium sized wineries to help develop their export market development across Europe, the US, and Asia. I organized focused B2B events that matched producers with qualified buyers. It was here I researched my idea of screw-cap French wine for the domestic on-trade, labeled in English. It seemed there was a gap in the market. When we launched Direct Distribution, we went on to sell more than 300,000 bottles over 10 years, with zero returns. Practical market research and data-driven product testing paid off.

Entrepreneurial Growth with Direct Distribution

2006 - 2020

In 2006, I co-founded Direct Distribution with my partners as a platform for premium beverages and snacks. Starting with 20 products and €45,000 in seed capital, we scaled annual revenues to €2 million in less than 10 years.

As a founding partner, I wore many hats—covering many aspects of an MBA in a practical real world scenario. I led core strategic functions including business planning, financial forecasting, and pricing strategy. I structured supplier contracts and negotiated complex triparty investment agreements, managing legal compliance for food and alcohol regulations across France and the EU.

On the operational side, I oversaw warehousing strategy, supply chain efficiency, and import/export procedures. I built and scaled the internal team—leading recruitment, onboarding, and training—while designing compensation frameworks and team incentives that supported growth.

Brand launches were a major focus: I crafted go-to-market plans for over 30 new brands, building category narratives, managing packaging and POS development, and coordinating cross-functional marketing campaigns. I maintained direct relationships with major retail groups and HORECA distributors, ensuring retention of key accounts while landing major new clients in Paris and other major urban centers in France.

Ultimately, I ran the company as a fully immersive general management experience—fusing legal, HR, finance, marketing, operations, and commercial strategy into one high-growth journey that now forms the backbone of my leadership style today.

By 2019, we had 210 SKUs, 10 full-time staff, our own delivery fleet, 3 delivery platforms in France, and €2.4 million in turnover, with an average gross margin of 45%. We had expanded our warehouse capacity and 2020 was projected to be a €3 million year.

Digital Transformation During COVID-19

2020 - 2024

When the pandemic hit in March 2020, I led our pivot to a consumer-facing e-commerce platform. I oversaw the development of a custom CRM and Shopify storefront, implemented a machine-learning model that reduced inventory shortfalls by 15%, and launched marketing automation that increased email engagement by 10%.

Transition to AI-Powered SaaS

2024 - Present

Today, I'm leveraging my cross-industry background to drive product strategy in the AI-powered SaaS sector. With certifications in Python and machine learning—and a recent project building of AI agents for SMEs —I'm poised to blend data science with my considerable sales, marketing and cross border project management and team building.