Production Manager

Requisition ID: 57483 Position Type: FT Permanent Workplace Arrangement: We are currently on the lookout for a Production Manager to join us, at our Spray Drying manufacturing facility in Charleville. This role has responsibility for the efficient operation of the site. The Production Manager is the champion of Kerry’s commitment to Safety First and Quality Always in the Spray Drying Facility and consistently making it easier and more valuable for our customers to do business with us.

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

• Plan, organise and direct optimum day-to-day operations to consistently meet our customers’ expectations.
• In conjunction with the Factory Manager ensure delivery of the Daily milk processing & Ingredient production plan.
• Provide leadership to the production management team in the Spray Drying facility in the areas including Safety, Quality, Cost & attainment to plant in delivering core plant KPI’s.
• In tandem with the HR business partner and Factory Manager, drive the people agenda in the plant in relation to recruitment, training and development and performance management of the team.
• Managing positive employee relations across the manufacturing facility with emphasis given to OurVoice in rating employee engagement and in line with relevant company union agreements.
• Actively lead and promote a culture of safety and compliance within the department’s workforce.
• Continuously improve operating performance through development and implementation of strategies for capacity enhancement, efficiency, and quality improvements. This includes identifying and managing cost improvement projects through Kerry’s Accelerate platform.
• In conjunction with supply chain and commercial leads, manage department inventories to achieve required business targets.
• Ensure that all Kerry Group initiatives and policies are fully implemented and supported by the team.
• In conjunction with R&D manage the introduction of new products and customers to the site.
• Together with the HR & Factory Manager manage department employee relations.
• Ensure the department is fully compliant with all regulatory agencies including the Department of Agriculture, Food & Marine (DAFM) and the Health & Safety Authority (HSE).

What you can bring to the role

• Ideally, you’ll be qualified to degree level in Production Management, Business management, Engineering, or related field.
• Progressive management experience, preferably within the food manufacturing industry with significant time spent at Production Supervisory / Production Manager level.
• This role requires a strong leader with exceptional team building, communication skills and the ability to motivate others and drive results / positive outcomes.
• Safety first mindset.
• HACCP and food safety experience.
• Able to influence and persuade, apply logical thinking and a pragmatic approach.
• Customer orientation – realisation of who the customer is, strives to over deliver in all areas.

In Kerry Dairy Ireland we understand that people have very different career trajectories and experiences. In order to be successful in this role we would be looking for the right competencies and aptitudes as well as your proven track record of success in a similar role and environment.

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)
• Health Care
• 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. Please note: We do not accept CVs or candidate profiles from recruitment agencies where Kerry Dairy Ireland 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 Dairy Ireland Hiring Managers. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr