About Kerry
Kerry Dairy Ireland is not just a company; it's a passion-driven farm-to-fork business that stands at the forefront of the dairy industry. With a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation, we deliver high-quality dairy solutions that resonate with our values.
With over 50 years of experience in milk processing and product innovation, we proudly offer a portfolio of market-leading dairy brands, including Cheestrings, Dairygold, and our exciting new SMUG range. Our deep-rooted connections with local family farms ensure that every product reflects our commitment to excellence.
Our dairy comes from some of the world's richest grazing lands, produced by a network of 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
As the NPI Lead in Portadown for Kerry Dairy Ireland, you will be at the helm of introducing new products that meet the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and innovation. This is a 12-month maternity cover position.
Your role will involve close collaboration with various departments, including marketing, operations, and commercial teams, as well as external suppliers and agencies. You will play a critical role in maintaining our reputation for excellence and driving forward our strategic goals.
The successful candidate will conduct factory trials on cheese and cheese snacking products, establishing process control parameters and validating product standards to ensure consistent product design.
Key Responsibilities
* Manage the NPI Process, working cross-functionally as part of the R&D team to ensure a standardized approach to New Product Introduction.
* Communicate product quality standards as part of the NPI process and provide training for effective implementation.
* Organize and coordinate new packaging trials, ensuring outcomes are effectively communicated to relevant stakeholders.
* Oversee activities related to the introduction of new products into the factory using various systems.
* Collaborate with internal teams, suppliers, customers, and marketing to ensure seamless product launches.
* Coordinate with outside agencies and suppliers to complete relevant activities for the artwork approval process.
* Support the delivery of process and profit improvement projects, ensuring product quality attributes are preserved and compliance with food safety and legal requirements.
* Build strong relationships with marketing, operations, and commercial teams to ensure adherence to our Purpose, Dairy Strategy, vision, and values.
* Stay updated on market trends, restrictions, regulations, and customer requirements.
* Present samples and concepts to internal and external stakeholders.
Qualifications and Skills
* BSc in Food Science or equivalent.
* Experience in the food industry.
* Experience in artwork approval and packaging development is desirable.
* Strong project management and organizational skills, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability.
* Driven to overcome challenges and develop timely solutions.
* Numerical ability to record and analyze key process data.
* Highly organized multi-tasker, able to interpret data from multiple sources.
* Attention to detail with a structured approach.
* Displays tenacity and goes the extra mile to achieve results and deliver excellent service.
* Able to play a key role as a high-performing team member.