IT Security Specialist

IT Security Specialist 

Hybrid working 

Tirlán  

Tirlán, currently partnering with a 3rd party service provider for the provision of IT services, is about to embark on a significant IT transformation programme to stand up its own IT capability.  The initial focus will be on enabling projects and will involve close collaboration with our partner. This will require a number of new and exciting roles to join the Tirlán IT team, working in a dynamic & collaborative environment. 

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. 

We nurture a talented team across Ireland, the US, MEA and China, delivering annual revenues of circa €3 billion, and circa 2,000 people to manage our network of 11 processing plants and 52 agri branches. Our purpose is to nourish the world, while safeguarding our environment for future generations. 

Role Profile 

Reporting to the IT Security, Risk & Compliance Manager, the IT Security Specialist is a strategic role responsible for designing, maintaining and improving security governance and security operations, help safeguard Tirlán’s business by ensuring security threats, incidents, and vulnerabilities are effectively managed. 

The role will work in close partnership with the Information Technology team, Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP), Operations Technology (OT) functions and Network / IT Providers. Tirlán security function responsibilities consists of 80 locations including manufacturing facilities, offices, retail locations, data centres, cloud services and managed services. 

A successful candidate must demonstrate strong technical skills and business understanding combined with impersonal skills to work with IT, OT and business process specialists to visualise and implement future state IT landscapes. 
 

Responsibilities 

• Assess IT Security risks across enterprise systems through structured risk assessment processes, ensuring IT services are delivered in compliance with wider technology and privacy regulations and Information Security policies. 

• Provide security oversight for major IT changes and assess security risks (e.g., application systems,  access controls, infrastructure, perimeter security and network security configurations). 

• Manage approvals for controlled and security-sensitive processes ensuring alignment with Tirlán's security and risk policies.  

• Monitor security controls and frameworks (e.g., vulnerability management, application security, business continuity management and resilience, identity & access management, firewalls, endpoint protection, IDS / IPS).  

• Lead information security awareness campaigns and cyber-simulations. 

• Coordinate proactive threat hunting and manage threat intelligence operations to iteratively detect indicators of compromise (IoC) through Tirlán’s MSSP.   

• Work closely with Tirlán's MSSP services to monitor, detect, and respond to security incidents and threats across enterprise systems. 

• Coordinate vulnerability management processes by partner services to ensure timely patching and remediation of security gaps. 

• Contribute to development of security policies and standards for Tirlán’s IT and OT environments. 

• Serve as technical specialist in security problems and incidents.   

• Maintain up-to-date documentation of security services and controls. 

• Work collaboratively with other IT teams and business stakeholders to support new initiatives and projects. 

• Support the IT Security, Risk and Compliance manager in developing Tirlán’s IT Security Strategy, Architecture and Information Security Management System (ISMS). 
   

Requirements 

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field 

• 5+ years similar experience working in IT Security. 

• Experience with third-party risk management, including technology partner services to provide execution of security capabilities and ensure proper documentation (e.g., vulnerability management and penetration testing).  

• Experience leading proactive threat hunting and managing threat intelligence operations, particularly with partner teams / SOC. 

• Demonstrable experience conducting structured IT risk assessments for vendor engagements and IT projects. 

• Knowledge of IAM concepts (e.g., RBAC, PAM, MFA) and best practices.  

• Experience leveraging security tools, frameworks, and solutions (e.g., ISO 27001, NIST, SIEM platforms, EDR solutions). 

• Industry recognised certifications e.g. CISSP desirable.  

• Ability to effectively manage relationships with internal business customers.  

• Proven experience working with managed service providers in managing IT Security Services such as SIEM and XDR.   

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.  

• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills.  

• Strong team player with a growth mindset.  

We offer 

• Hybrid working (flex Fridays) 

• Free parking incl. EV charging – where applicable 

• On-site gym free to use for employees 

• Parenting room 

• Work/life balance and 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 Organisation