Requisition ID: 61530
Position Type: FT Permanent
Workplace Arrangement: #LI-Onsite
About the role
We are on the lookout for a Hygiene Lead to join our Dairy Consumer Foods site in Coleraine.
This role will be the dedicated hygiene resource for the factory, to generate cleaning schedules, providing gap analysis, putting cleaning systems in place and maintaining them.
You will support the factory with problem solving, project work and route cause analysis. There will be a few exciting projects throughout 2026 and will involve hygienic equipment design.
It is a great opportunity to make an impact and grow a career here at Kerry Dairy Ireland!
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.
Headquartered in Tralee, Co. Kerry, we operate multiple manufacturing facilities in the southwest of Ireland, including Listowel, Charleville, Newmarket, and Farranfore. Additionally, we manage 29 Farm & Home stores throughout the region, ensuring comprehensive coverage and service. In Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom, our presence extends to key locations in Portadown, Coleraine, and Ossett.
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.
What you'll be doing
Management of site hygiene and sanitation activities.
To ensure implementation of procedures and processes in accordance with Kerry Global, GFSI, Customer and regulatory standards and codes of practice
Management and control of all 3rd party hygiene service providers & agreement of service level agreements
Conduct facility sanitation audits as required; assist with risk based gap prioritisation and support corrective action to enable compliance to Kerry Central policy
Create and perform thorough and accurate risk assessments, inspections and cleaning schedules in line with HACCP, Allergen Management, Engineering and Maintenance
Provide expertise on suitable chemicals and equipment to deliver appropriate cleaning methods liaising with appropriate 3rd party partners (building a strong relationship to support site
Hygienic Design - Build awareness and capability of site teams on hygienic design and hygiene zoning requirements.
Create relationships with manufacturing business units and manufacturing sites to integrate robust hygiene practices into plant operations. Use these relationships to provide learning and transfer of industry best practices and innovation for wet and dry cleaning, microbiological and allergen control within all zones of the plant environment
Accountability of the site Integrated Pest Management programme & develop relationship with pest control provider to drive improvement
Provide subject matter expertise as part of the site HACCP team
Support Sanitation Continuous Improvements
Drive innovation and cost reduction activities when required
Accountability for the development and execution of Sanitation training for site staff where appropriate
Manage and review any deviations to the cleaning schedules
Deputise for the QAGL and Compliance Auditor where required
Any other reasonable requests for the business
What you can bring to the role
Education Diploma or higher in a Food Science related subject.
Food manufacturing experience
Understanding of Food Safety and Quality Management Systems
Experience of Cleaning and Sanitising controls
Knowledge of the BRC Global Food Standard and specific customer standards as they apply.
Experience in the monitoring and control of environmental pathogens and allergens
Experience of GMP and other regulatory requirements in a manufacturing role
Demonstrated knowledge of process appropriate hygienic design and sanitation systems design; ability to provide guidance at a regional level in large and small-scale CAPEX projects
Auditing and team corrective action process experience
Experience with development of prerequisite programs, HACCP, hazard analysis, risk assessments with team
Attention to detail
Good Planning & Analytical skills
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)
Hybrid working
Health Care
Matched pension scheme
Benefits platform offering discounts and cashback on major retailers.
Get in touch today!
In Kerry Dairy Ireland 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.
Kerry is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Consistent with our policy of providing equality of opportunity for all, we are required to seek particular information from applicants. As part of your application you will be asked to answer a short number of questions. This information will be held separate to your application and treated in the strictest of confidence.
Beware of scams online or from individuals claiming to represent us. A Kerry employee will not solicit candidates through a non-Kerry email address or phone number. In addition, Kerry does not currently utilise video chat rooms (e.g., Google Hangouts) to conduct interviews. Refuse any request that asks you to provide payment to participate in the hiring process (e.g., purchasing a “starter kit,” investing in training, or something similar). Kerry will not ask you to pay any money at any point in the hiring process with the exception of reimbursable travel expenses. In addition, any payments made by Kerry will be from official firm accounts bearing the Kerry name.
Recruiter: #LI-SD2
Posting Type: LI
Please note: We do not accept CVs or candidate profiles from recruitment agencies where Kerry terms of business have not been signed. Additionally, we will not consider or agree to payment of any recruiter fee under these circumstances. This also applies to CVs or candidate profiles sent directly to any Kerry Hiring Managers