Dungarvan Lab Manager

Laboratory Manager – Central Laboratory

Dungarvan, Co Waterford

(12 month FTC)

Tirlán

Tirlán, is a world-class food and nutrition co-operative, with a diverse portfolio of quality ingredients, leading consumer and agri brands.

Tirlán owns leading brands such as Avonmore, Kilmeaden Cheese, Millac, Solmiko, Truly Grass Fed, Premier Milk, Wexford, mymilkman.ie and GAIN Animal Nutrition.

A talented team across Ireland, the US, MEA and China, delivers annual revenues of over €3 billion. Our purpose is to nourish the world, while safeguarding our environment for future generations.

Role Profile

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Laboratory Manager to join the Central Laboratory team on a fixed-term maternity leave contract.

The Laboratory Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of laboratory operations and ensuring that all analytical activities are conducted in accordance with the laboratory Quality System, ISO 17025/CLAS requirements, and company policies. The role is responsible for maintaining high standards of quality, service delivery, safety, compliance, and staff performance while ensuring the laboratory continues to meet business and customer requirements.

The Laboratory Manager has direct access to the Head of Quality Operations to provide information on laboratory performance, quality system effectiveness, risks, and opportunities for improvement. The role is supported by the Laboratory Excellence Manager and works closely with Quality Operations, Milk Supply Team, Lab team, customers, and external stakeholders to ensure the efficient operation of the laboratory and continuous improvement of processes and systems. This includes confidently addressing queries, upholding quality standards, and ensuring effective collaboration across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & People Management

• Lead the Laboratory in delivering accurate and timely analysis on all samples.
• Performance manages the Laboratory team.
• Ensure employees are trained to the appropriate standard to carry out their full range of duties in Quality Operations.
• Play a lead role in developing and sustaining a strong quality culture for the Laboratory. Keep abreast of new developments in the milk analysis field.
• As part of the Tirlán Quality community contribute to on-going development of best-in-class standards across the wider Tirlán organisation.

Quality & Compliance

• Implement the Tirlán Quality Strategy in line with the Quality Management System.
• Maintain the site in a state of inspection readiness, prepare and successfully host customer, regulatory and certification audits. Run scheduled and unannounced audits.

Operational Performance

• Implement site wide KPIs relating to: Testing Efficiency; Throughput; Sustainability, Quality, Health and Safety, C.I., Employee Engagement and Financial ROI targets.
• Maintain and deliver accurate results in a timely manner for payment and grading purposes.

Stakeholder & Customer Support

• Support the Quality Management Team through the provision of milk results in a timely and accurate manner.
• Work collaboratively with the Milk Supply team to ensure timely and accurate data is available to facilitate the work of the Milk Supply Team.
• Play a leadership role in establishing and managing service level agreements with internal customers such as Milk Supply Team etc.

Technical & Laboratory Services

• Run and monitor the Contaminants monitoring program in line with the Contaminants Program Manager.
• Support the Ballyragget Quality team through the provision of pathogen environmental monitoring results in a timely manner including follow up support as required.
• Support the Belview Quality team through the provision of chlorate results in a timely manner including follow up support as required.
• Support the Portlaoise Mill Quality team through the provision of gluten results in a timely manner including follow up support as required.

Essential

• Degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry or a related scientific discipline.
• Experience within a laboratory, quality or food manufacturing environment, desirably experience in the dairy or food industry
• Previous people leadership or supervisory experience.
• Strong understanding of quality systems and compliance requirements.

• Knowledge of ISO 17025/ CLAS and accredited laboratory systems

• Audit and stakeholder management experience.
• Experience with SAP and laboratory information systems.

Key Competencies

• Leadership & People Management
• Communication, Influencing & Conflict Management
• Quality & Compliance Focus
• Planning & Organising
• Problem Solving & Decision Making
• Continuous Improvement
• Results Orientation
• Teamwork & Collaboration

We offer

• Onsite parking;
• Collaborative work culture;
• Career progression opportunities.

About us

Through our expertise in research and development, customer insights, food safety and state-of-the-art manufacturing we bring innovative food and nutrition solutions to a global market.  Our new and vibrant headquarters in Kilkenny City operates as a collaboration hub where multi-functional teams come together in a hybrid work environment.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
We believe in the value of difference. We know that different perspectives, life experience and backgrounds can drive innovation and deliver growth.

We welcome people from all walks of life without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, or disability status. 

Join our Talent Pool

Considering a new career in Tirlán but this isn’t the role for you? Join our talent community and sign up for job notifications at www.tirlan.com/careers

Tirlán is a Values Based Org