Health & Safety Officer

Health and Safety Officer – Tirlan Ballyragget

About Tirlán

Tirlán, formerly known as Glanbia Ireland, is a world-class food and nutrition co-operative, with a diverse portfolio of quality ingredients, leading consumer and Agri brands.

A talented team of over 2,100 people manage Tirlán’s network of 11 production facilities and 52 Agri retail outlets serving its communities with annual revenues of over €3 billion expected in 2022. Tirlán’s state-of-the-art headquarters in Kilkenny city and innovation centre in Ballyragget promote innovation, creativity and collaboration. Tirlán is committed to sustainability throughout the organisation through its comprehensive Living Proof programme, and the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) contained within it. For more information visit www.tirlan.com

Role Profile:

This is a replacement role based at Tirlán Ballyragget, Europe’s largest integrated dairy site, comprising Butter, Casein, Cheese, and Whey operations. The Safety Officer is responsible for supporting the Health & Safety Manager in implementing and maintaining all aspects of site health and safety systems. The role has a key focus on risk assessment, incident prevention, training, and day-to-day coordination of safety activities to ensure a safe working environment for all personnel and compliance with legislative and corporate standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the management and ongoing improvement of the site’s Health & Safety Management System (HSMS) in line with Tirlán standards and Irish legislation.
• Conduct and regularly review risk assessments, job safety analyses, and safe systems of work; ensure control measures are implemented and communicated effectively.
• Develop and deliver site inductions, contractor management processes, and permit-to-work systems.
• Monitor daily compliance activities across departments, carrying out inspections, audits, and follow-ups on corrective actions.
• Support investigations of accidents, incidents, and near misses, ensuring root causes are identified and actions closed in a timely manner.
• Assist in planning and delivering health and safety training to employees and contractors.
• Contribute to site reviews such as HAZOPs, ATEX risk assessments, and process safety assessments as required.
• Maintain and update safety records, reports, and documentation in line with internal requirements and current legislation.
• Act as the site’s Radiation Protection Officer (or deputy) and ensure compliance with relevant statutory obligations.
• Support the implementation of emergency preparedness plans, safety drills, and response team training.
• Help drive employee engagement and positive safety culture through hands-on involvement in site departments.
• Liaise with external bodies (contractors, auditors, regulators) as required by the H&S Manager.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives, audits, and projects supporting the site Business Excellence Programme.
• Provide health and safety input into Capex or maintenance projects, ensuring safe design and implementation.

Key Requirements:

• Third-level qualification in Health & Safety, Environmental Science, Engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in a Health & Safety role within the food, dairy, or manufacturing sector.
• Practical knowledge of Irish H&S legislation, risk assessment, and incident investigation methods.
• Strong organisational and communication skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Experience supporting audits, inspections, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Results-driven and capable of working effectively in a fast-paced production environment.
• NEBOSH/IOSH certification or equivalent (essential or in progress).
• Familiarity with ATEX, COMAH, and radiation safety regulations is advantageous

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

Tirlán embraces diversity, equal opportunity and inclusion. We are committed to building diverse teams where different perspectives drive innovation and growth. We strive to create an inclusive workplace where people can bring their true self to work and achieve their full potential.

At Tirlán, we celebrate diversity, because we know that our individual strengths make us stronger together. We welcome and encourage interest from a wide variety of candidates, and we will give your application consideration, without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, or disability status. 

At Tirlán our culture will celebrate individuality, knowing that together we are more.

Join our Talent Pool

Considering a new career in Tirlán but this isn’t the role for you?! Then why not register your experience & sign up for career opportunities at www.tirlan.com/careers.

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

About us:

The farmer-owned co-operative has a first-class track record of success in the global market. Rooted in a rich heritage of family farming and embedded in its communities, Tirlán has evolved to bring the passion of its farmers and their high-quality milk and grains to the international marketplace. Using modern-day technology and applying the best processes to its milk pool of three billion litres and its premium grains portfolio, Tirlán now exports to more than 80 countries.  Its award-winning brands are household names in Ireland, and include Ireland’s number one consumer dairy brand, Avonmore.

The organisation draws on a wealth of experience to deliver exceptional products and tailored nutritional solutions including Kilmeaden, Wexford, Truly Grass Fed, Solmiko, CheddMax and GAIN. Tirlán has a strong market presence in the UK, France, Germany, UAE, the US, North Africa, Japan and China.

Tirlán is a Values Based Organisation - www.tirlan.com