About Kerry
Kerry Dairy Ireland is not just a company; we are a vibrant, vertically integrated farm-to-fork business. With a strong retail presence and a leading nutritional and dairy ingredients division, we deliver high-quality dairy solutions that prioritize sustainability and innovation.
With over 50 years of experience in milk processing and product innovation, we are proud to be key players in the global food industry. Our portfolio includes beloved brands like Cheestrings, Charleville, Coleraine Cheese, Dairygold, and our exciting new SMUG range. Our commitment to excellence shines through every step of our value chain, from local family farms to world-class dairy products.
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, including Listowel, Charleville, Newmarket, and Farranfore. Our reach extends to Northern Ireland and the UK, with key locations in Portadown, Coleraine, and Ossett.
Globally, we employ over 1,600 dedicated professionals across various countries, including the USA, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and China. In 2024, we achieved a turnover of approximately €1.3 billion, reflecting our commitment to excellence and growth.
About the Role
We are on the lookout for 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 Introduction trials and launches
* Process Improvements
* Profit Improvement Projects (PIPs)
Success in this role requires cross-functional collaboration to ensure that all concepts and recipes align with our business strategy. You will build strong relationships with Marketing, Operations, and Commercial teams, ensuring customer care and adherence to 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 each project and communicate with key stakeholders.
* Oversee product and packaging development and validation.
* Conduct trials from benchtop to pilot plant, ensuring compliance with site processes.
* Maintain thorough documentation, including nutritional information and shelf life.
* Collaborate with procurement and finance on costings, communicating with brands for approval.
* Keep trial records organized for reference, capturing successes and learnings.
* Present new concepts to site SLT and stakeholders before final approvals.
* Conduct post-launch reviews of existing products via Consistency Panels.
Additional Responsibilities
* Prepare product samples for customers.
* Maintain NPD work areas to the highest standards of cleanliness.
* Follow the commercialization process post-approval with the quality/technical team.
* Support the transfer of quality into the factory during trials.