Production Stream Manager

About the role

Reporting to the General Manager, you will lead a cross functional team to deliver the Production Stream specific goals using the Kerry Production system.

This is a full-time, permanent, on-site position based in Listowel, working Monday to Friday.

About Kerry Dairy Ireland

Kerry Dairy Ireland is a vertically integrated farm-to-fork business with a very substantial consumer foods presence and a leading nutritional and dairy ingredients division, delivering high-quality dairy solutions with a focus on sustainability and innovation. From partnering with local family farms to producing world-class dairy products, we ensure every step of our value chain reflects our commitment to excellence.

With over 50 years’ experience in milk processing, dairy and nutritional technology advancement, and product innovation, we are a key stakeholder in the global food industry and creators of a strong portfolio of market leading dairy brands including Cheestrings, Charleville and Coleraine Cheese, Dairygold, Golden Cow and our new SMUG range. Our from food, for food culture and deep-rooted connection to our 2,800 milk suppliers differentiates our business and offers captivating opportunities for our customers and consumers.

Our dairy comes from some of the world’s richest grazing land and is produced by a network of Irish family farms that have one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world. Through a combination of expertise, innovation, and sustainability, Kerry Dairy Ireland is proud to shape the future of dairy while meeting the diverse needs of our farmers, customers, and communities.

Globally, Kerry Dairy Ireland employs over 1,600 dedicated professionals across Ireland, Northern Ireland, the UK, USA, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and China. In 2024, we achieved a turnover of approximately €1.3 billion, reflecting our commitment to excellence and growth.

Key responsibilities

• Plan, organise and direct optimum day-to-day operations to consistently meet our customers’ expectations

• In conjunction with the General Manager ensure delivery of the Dairy Consumer Foods production plan

• Provide leadership to the production management team in the Dairy Consumer Foods business in areas including Safety, Quality, Cost & attainment to plan in delivering core plant KPI’s

• In tandem with the HR business partner and General Manager, drive the people agenda in the plant in relation to recruitment, training and development and performance management of the team

• Managing positive employee relations across the manufacturing facility with emphasis given to Our Voice in rating employee engagement and in line with relevant company union agreements

• Actively lead and promote a culture of safety and compliance within the department’s workforce

• Continuously improve operating performance through development and implementation of strategies for capacity enhancement, efficiency, and quality improvements. This includes identifying and managing cost improvement projects

• In conjunction with supply chain and commercial leads, manage department inventories to achieve the required business targets

• Ensure that all Kerry Dairy Ireland initiatives and policies are fully implemented and support by the team

• In conjunction with R&D manage the introduction of new products and customers to the site

• Together with the HR & General Manager manage department employee relations

• Ensure the department is fully compliant with all regulatory agencies including the Department of Agriculture, Food & Marine (DAFM) and the Health & Safety Authority (HSE), BRC and Customer Specific requirements.

Qualifications and skills

· Experience of managing a multifunctional team in a high-speed process environment

· Capacity to align the production stream strategy with that of the site, both in the short (1 year) and medium (5 years) term

· Robust understanding and ability to apply in live situations the principles and tools of lean manufacturing

· Proficient in the use of MS Office tools

· Ability to identify and actively plan improvements

· Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to be successful in a changing environment

· Effective communicator who facilitates bottom up and top-down communication channels.

What we can offer

At Kerry Dairy Ireland, we believe in giving talented, curious people the opportunity to make a difference. We work as a team, searching for the best ways to inspire food and nourish life.

We are a community of innovators, working across disciplines to solve global food challenges with a fresh approach. We want you to achieve whatever you put your mind to.

We also offer: 25 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays), health care, career development opportunities, safe and friendly work environment focused on people and continuous improvements, matched pension scheme up to 10% and employee Assistance Program.