Continuous Improvement & New Product Introduction Manager

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

About the role

Reporting to the Site Manager, the role of CI NPI Manager is both to be the Continuous Improvement (CI) champion for the site and also the New Product Introduction (NPI) champion. The CI champion monitors and improves organisational processes with the aim of making them as efficient as possible. The NPI champion is acting as the key point of contact on New Product Introduction, Production Transfers and Feasibility Trials; and coordinates between the Commercialisation team, and all involved site functions.

Primary CI Champion responsibilities: 

• Promote the use of 8 step problem solving and PDCA to fix issues
• Analyse business processes to find improvement opportunities. 
• Develop short- and long-term strategies for the organisation and incorporating 5S, 6sigma and other practices. 
• Monitor the progress to check if changes deliver desirable results. Generates regularly detailed update reports for management. 
• Ensuring the organisation makes continuous improvement an integral part of the site culture. Openly sharing their guidance and technical expertise and ensuring that learning resources are widely available.

Primary NPI Champion responsibilities:

• Act as the main point of contact for NPI execution on site, ensuring that NPI requirements are well understood by site-based functional owners, and that the Site Master Schedule reflects NPI and related deliverables
• Working with the Supply Planning team and Supply Chain at site, ensure that the site has capacity to support any potential inbound NPI, or raise an escalation via Commercialisation team and Supply Planner, to ensure that any capacity or other concerns are addressed as early in the opportunity lifecycle as is possible
• Working with the Commercialisation and Master Data teams, throughout the commercialization process, ensure that site related data is at the required level of accuracy and all SAP functional data has been completed promptly and accurately  
• Ensure the industrialisation phase
• Act as the site co-ordination point for the correct set-up of co-manufacturing or co-packing arrangements, in cooperation with Supply Chain and the regional Third-Party Manufacturing Lead.

Qualifications and skills

• Effective co-ordination and management skills – deadline and results driven
• Strong communication skills, with ability to escalate when necessary
• Good team player; experience working cross functionally and proven ability to influence 
• Fluent in French and professional level in English
• 5+ years’ experience in the flavour industry (natural extracts, distillation, blending and packing)
   

Get in touch today!

In Kerry we benefit from the knowledge of our colleagues who bring a diverse range of cultures, backgrounds, lifestyles, and experiences. One team fostering an inclusive culture that, above all, inspires food and nourishes life. One culture where everyone brings their unique perspectives and experiences to help make us better, together. We are committed to nurturing an environment of positivity and inclusiveness, where everyone can be at their best, both personally and professionally.

Our recruitment, selection and assessment process are based on the skills and competencies of the specific roles and based entirely on merit.  We are committed to and value Diversity and Inclusion in all recruitment processes within Kerry and do not discriminate based on gender, race, class, economic status, ethnic background, sexual orientation, age, political beliefs, veteran status, marital status or any other protected characteristic.