About Kerry
Kerry Dairy Ireland is not just a company; it's a vibrant community dedicated to delivering high-quality dairy solutions with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation. We pride ourselves on being a vertically integrated farm-to-fork business, partnering with local family farms to produce world-class dairy products.
With over 50 years of experience in milk processing and product innovation, we are a key player in the global food industry. Our portfolio includes beloved brands like Cheestrings, Dairygold, and our new SMUG range. Our commitment to excellence and our deep-rooted connections with our 2,800 milk suppliers set us apart.
Our dairy comes from some of the world’s richest grazing lands, produced by Irish family farms with one of the lowest carbon footprints globally. At Kerry Dairy Ireland, we are shaping 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 across the southwest of Ireland and have a strong presence in Northern Ireland and the UK. With over 1,600 dedicated professionals globally, we achieved a turnover of approximately €1.3 billion in 2024, reflecting our commitment to growth and excellence.
About the Role
We are excited to invite an RDA Technologist to join our RD&A team in Portadown! In this dynamic role, you will collaborate with our R&D and operations teams to drive projects through the development process efficiently.
Your mission? To help us win in the market by standardizing approaches to New Product Introductions, Process Improvements, and Profit Improvement Projects (PIPs) that resonate with our customers and deliver commercial success.
Success in this role hinges on your ability to work cross-functionally, ensuring that all concepts and recipes align with our business strategy. You'll build relationships with Marketing, Operations, and Commercial teams while upholding the Kerry Purpose, Vision, and Values.
Key Responsibilities
* Interpret project briefs and coordinate gate zero meetings for site approval.
* Create feasibility studies outlining project timelines and resource requirements.
* Develop master schedules for projects and communicate with key stakeholders.
* Oversee product and packaging development and validation.
* Conduct trials from benchtop to pilot plant, ensuring compliance with site processes.
* Document nutritional information and shelf life for all products.
* Collaborate with procurement and finance for costings and communicate with brands for approval.
* Maintain thorough records of trial outcomes for future reference.
* Present new concepts to site SLT and stakeholders before final approval.
* Conduct post-launch reviews of product quality through Consistency Panels.
Qualifications and Skills
* Degree in Food Science or relevant experience in the Food/Manufacturing Industry.
* Proficient in Microsoft Office; experience with SAP and Optiva is a plus.
* Fluency in English with strong communication skills.
* Ability to work accurately and efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
* Self-motivated with excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
* Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well within a team.