Kepak is a leading food company with 16 manufacturing sites and over 4,500 employees across Ireland and the UK, with a turnover of €1.75 billion. The Group operates across three divisions: the Foods Division, Meat Division UK, and Meat Division Ireland. Guided by our values—Responsibility, Ambition, Passion for Food, and Teamwork—we are committed to operating as a successful, sustainable, future-ready business that is a great place to work. We supply fresh and value-added meat based products to retail and foodservice through private label and our own brands, including Rustlers, Big Al's and John Stone.
Kepak Meat Division UK operates across 3 manufacturing sites with 2,000 employees, producing a range of quality meat and protein-based food products for retail and foodservice customers. The division focuses on providing exceptional service and value to our stakeholders.
This position is Monday - Friday - 37.5 hours.
Requirements
· To lead the technical implementation and delivery of New and Existing Product Development (NPD & EPD) initiatives, ensuring seamless transition from concept to production while maintaining the highest standards of food safety, quality, and compliance.
· Act as the competent food safety and quality expert across product trials, customer food safety specifications, labelling and supplier product compliance and oversee food safety compliance across the NPD and EPD process
· Drives food safety excellence through continuous improvement across product development processes and positive cross functional collaboration
Health, Safety and Wellbeing
‘Health and Safety Starts with me’
· Understand and adhere to company health and safety policies and procedures.
· Contribute to health, safety and wellbeing at the site ensuring safe working practices and supporting a positive safety culture.
Retail product development and compliance
· Lead the technical delivery of New Product Development (NPD) and Existing Product Development (EPD) projects.
· Read and interpret customer product briefs from a food safety perspective and highlight areas for review with NPD team
· Collaborate with NPD and culinary teams to scale recipes from kitchen concepts to full-scale production.
· Plan, attend, and execute product trials, first productions, and factory validations—ensuring food safety, quality and compliance requirements are adhered to
· Develop and implement Line Quality Attribute Standards (QAS) aligned with NPD/EPD requirements.
· Prepare and deliver clear food safety and quality data reports, providing visibility of progress and outcomes across the business.
· Ensure projects are completed smoothly, accurately, and on time
Customer specification management and compliance
* Own and maintain all live customer specifications for the site, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with customer portals.
* Review and approve customer product specifications, labels and artwork designs.
* Manage specification trackers to provide visibility of project status, version control, and upcoming changes.
* Control packaging and labelling transitions, including run-down of old stock, removal of redundant items, and coordination with operations and supply chain to minimise disruption.
* Maintain an up-to-date packaging and label library for all customer product specifications
* Conduct formal annual reviews of finished product, ingredient, and packaging specifications.
* Update and maintain all specification information within business systems.
Supplier specification management and compliance
* Maintain and manage supplier specifications for retail raw material products, ingredients and packaging ensuring alignment with customer and internal product specifications
* Review and approve supplier specifications to ensure compliance with food safety legislation, internal standards, and customer requirements.
* Validate and verify product claims and liaise with suppliers on any relevant updates or non-conformances
Food Safety Excellence
* Analyse production processes to identify opportunities for cost reduction, yield improvement, waste minimisation, and efficiency gains.
* Troubleshoot processing issues, implementing corrective actions to minimise downtime and protect food safety and quality.
* Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance food safety and quality processes and embed best practice.
* Be proactive in identifying areas for improvement in terms of ensuring best in class product and process to deliver and exceed on customer expectations
* Keep up to date on digital technology to enhance and streamline processes and document management
Training and compliance
· Train and coach operations and quality control teams on new food safety and quality requirements and specification for new products or updates to existing products to ensure compliance
· Liaise with quality assurance teams on training requirements for new product launches
Role Qualifications
· Degree (or equivalent qualification) in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related discipline.
· Proven experience within food manufacturing, product development, or a related technical role.
· Hands-on experience with factory trials, scale-up processes, and process validation is highly desirable.
· Exposure to working with retailers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams would be advantageous.
· In-depth knowledge of food processing technologies, equipment, and manufacturing environments.
· Strong understanding of food safety regulations, compliance standards, and quality management systems (e.g., HACCP, BRC, retailer standards).
· Proficiency in data analysis, technical reporting, and process documentation to support decision-making and continuous improvement.
· Strong problem-solving and analytical mindset, with the ability to troubleshoot complex issues.
· High level of attention to detail, organisation, and accuracy
· Project management experience and understanding of lean principles
Benefits
Subsidised canteen serving multiple hot food options for breakfast and lunch
31 days annual leave per year (after probation)
Employee Discount Platform - All Kepak employees are entitled to access to the WrkIt platform, which offers significant discounts and cashback with hundreds of brands.
Hamper at Christmas for all employees.
Company Pension
Employee Discount Platform - All Kepak employees are entitled to access to the WrkIt platform, which offers significant discounts and cashback with hundreds of brands.
Refer a Friend Scheme - Earn up to Get up to €500 for successfully referring a friend or family member to Kepak Group.
GroceryAid Employee Assistance Program - help with a wide range of topics including mental health and wellbeing support, family and relationship advice, debt management, back to work support, and counselling for all Kepak colleagues and their families.
Long Service Awards - We recognise, acknowledge and award the dedication and valuable contribution of long serving employees
Bike to Work Scheme - You can buy a bike and safety equipment through a salary sacrifice scheme which reduces your taxable income – meaning you pay less tax!