Site General Manager (Food Manufacturing)

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 Kerry Dairy 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. 

The Opportunity

We are currently recruiting for Site Manager to join the team at our Newmarket Cheese Production facility, which has been present in Newmarket since the 1940's.  We are looking to recruit a people orientated Site Manager to assume responsibility for the Newmarket site who is passionate about achieving targets, team development, continuous improvement and dedicated to maintaining a 'safety first, quality always' culture.  

This is a permanent, full-time position where you'll cover the site as Duty Manager 1 in 5 weekends.

Key responsibilities

As Site Manager you will:
 

• Lead with a 'safety first, quality always' mindset.
• Provide clear direction, leadership and support to departmental managers, including Production, Engineering, QHSE, Supply Chain
• Utilise the already engaged and dedicated work force to drive and maintain a high performing team culture through
• Formulate and establish plans, policies and objectives which will deliver the site manufacturing plans and required operational performance around safety, quality, human resource, output, inventory and financial performance.
• Facilitate plant compliance with customer, division, corporate, and regulatory requirements and policies.
• Identify process improvements to lower production costs and reduce operational variation and enhance finished product consistency.
• Ensure that Kerry continues to deliver operational excellence through uncompromising commitment to continuous improvement in the areas of quality, cost, service, and employee leadership and safety.
• Provide clear and consistent communication and leadership around objectives and expectations to all internal teams and external suppliers to ensure site objectives and customer requirements are met or exceeded.

What qualifications, skills and experience will I need?

To be successful in this role we are looking for the right behaviours and competencies as well as a proven track record of success in a manufacturing leadership position. The ideal candidate will ideally have the following:
 

• Ideally you’ll be qualified to degree level in Operations Management, Business Management, Engineering or related field.  An MBA is highly desirable.
• Several years of progressive management experience, preferably within the food manufacturing industry with at least 3 years at Senior Leadership / Plant Manager level.
• This role requires a strong leader with exceptional team building, communication skills and the ability to motivate others and drive results / positive outcomes.
• Safety first mindset – Health & Safety qualification such as NEBOSH is highly desirable
• Formal CI Training e.g. Kaizan, 5S, GMP, SMED, OEE is desirable.
• HACCP and food safety experience.
• Able to influence and persuade, apply logical thinking and a pragmatic approach.
• Ability to accurately prepare and articulate operational budgets, forecasts and reports.
• Customer orientation – realisation of who the customer is, strives to over deliver in all areas.

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 me?

As well as this incredible opportunity, you will also benefit from ongoing personal development and the ability to further grow your career within our business.  Also on offer is senior level salary and comprehensive benefits package.
 

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.