Production Manager

About Kerry Diary Ireland

Kerry Group’s UK & Ireland dairy related business includes Dairy Ingredients, Dairy Nutritional Ingredients, Dairy Consumer Foods, and Agribusiness. With a revenue in excess of €1bn per year, it is one of the world’s leading dairy businesses. With our strong dairy heritage and deep-rooted connection to our 3,000 milk suppliers, right through to our portfolio of innovative and high-quality brands, the dairy business has a unique and compelling proposition for both consumers and our customers. 

Our dairy business has a diversified portfolio of dairy, nutritional ingredients and market leading dairy brands and its vertically integrated dairy processing ensures the highest quality, sustainably produced 1.2bn litres of milk for our dairy, nutritional ingredients, and consumer foods business – a key consideration among some of our largest customers across the globe.  

We have an unrivalled dairy consumer brands portfolio coupled with a track record in innovation underpinned by technology and science. We manufacture and market our own leading butter, dairy, and plant spreads brands: Dairygold, Low Low, Pure and Golden Cow. We are the largest supplier of Private Label dairy spreads, supplying all major retailers in Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe. Our cheese brands compete in children’s cheese snacks (Attack-a-Snak), natural cheese (block, slices and grated), and in processed cheese segments and our leading cheese brands include Strings & Things, Coleraine, and Charleville Cheese. Through our multi-geographical presence (UK, Ireland, and Western Europe) we have a deep consumer insight which is a key component of the business. 

About the role

We are currently looking for a Production Manager to join the senior leadership team at our milk processing production facility in Listowel and take responsibility for day-to-day production operations and KPI delivery.
 

This is a permanent full-time position.  Hours are 9.00 - 5.30 Monday to Friday with a requirement to cover 1 in 6 weekends with time back in lieu.

What will I be doing?

As Production Manager, you will:
 

• Lead, manage and motivate a team of 60+ people, through a team of 5 supervisors, promoting a collabrative and positive working environment.
• Instill a ‘Safety First, Quality Always’ approach and creating a high-performance culture where continuous improvement is embraced.
• Provide clear direction and undertaking all management responsibility for team members; 1-2-1’s, conducting appraisals, coaching, managing absence and poor performance / non-conformity.
• Ensure that Key Performance measures of safety, quality and auditory standards and are always monitored and achieved.
• Drive cost control measures in output, quality, yield, labour utilization, and waste
• Positively communicate and coordinate with other functions to progress issues concerning production planning, processes, procedures or equipment to ensure delivery of all customer orders to time, quality and cost specifications.
• Through the utilisation of lean manufacturing techniques, strive to exceed the company targets in productivity, efficiency and quality on a continuous basis
• Report and act upon plant or machinery breakdowns with maintenance technicians
• Ensure that internal delivery processes are adhered to support dispatch time windows
• Lead the follow-up and lessons learned process when customers raise concerns. Identify and eliminate root cause using robust countermeasures. Sustain the corrective actions to eliminate repeat issues

What skills, experience and qualifications will I need?

To be successful in this role we are looking for the positive can-do attitude as well as your skills and experience in a similar position. The ideal candidate will ideally have the following:
 

• Proven track record of leading and motivating large teams to succeed by utilising appropriate management styles, leading by example, setting objectives and defining responsibilities to give a clear sense of direction and purpose.
• Passionate about managing performance, leading, developing and ultimately empowering people,
• Significant experience within a high-volume, high pace GMP manufacturing environment, preferably dairy or food manufacturing.  Experience of drying processes is highly desirable.
• A degree in Food Science or related discipline is desirable but not essential.
• Strong IT Systems and methodology experience (SAP, MS Office packages, Lean Processes, Continuous Improvement etc.)
• Highly organised and analytical with a pragmatic approach to problem-solving
• Experience and knowledge of Health & Safety legislation and ideally, food safety standards.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation and communication skills.

In Kerry we know that sometimes the perfect candidate doesn’t exist, and people can be put off applying for a role if they don’t fit all the requirements. If you are excited about working for us and have the majority of the skills or experience, then please do apply as you could be exactly what we are looking for. 

What’s in it for you?

In return we can offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package as well as the opportunity to build your career within a global leader in food and ingredients manufacturing.

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.