R&D Technologist - Cheese & Plant (Fixed Term Contract)

R&D Technologist - Cheese & Plant

Tirlán Innovation Centre, Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny

 12 Months Fixed Term Contract

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.

We nurture a talented team across Ireland, the US, MEA and China, delivering annual revenues of over €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

Located within the Tirlán Research & Innovation Centre in Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny, this role reports to the R&D Manager for Cheese and Plant and supports the delivery of innovation projects across our Ingredients and Consumer business. The successful candidate will contribute to a broad range of R&D activities, supporting the development of innovative food concepts, recipes and ingredient solutions while working closely with internal and external stakeholders. This position requires a technologist with dairy and/or plant ingredient knowledge, preferably with applications or new product development experience. Strong technical laboratory skills, stakeholder engagement, creativity and project management capabilities are highly desirable. The role suits an organised, enthusiastic and proactive individual with a passion for food, cooking and recipe development, who enjoys turning ideas into practical solutions and contributing as part of a collaborative and dynamic team.

Responsibilities

• Manage and deliver customer collaborative projects with support from the wider R&D team.
• Work as part of a cross-functional team with customer and Tirlán functions to complete projects on time and in scope
• Preparation & presentation of products, new ideas and concepts

• Create, conduct & document benchtop & pilot scale experiments to evaluate concepts such as changes in product formulations or manufacturing process in compliance with R&D procedures

• Organise and support factory-scale product and packaging trials, working with cross-functional teams to evaluate and implement product, process and/or packaging developments
• Development and modification of test methods
• Reporting & review of projects with R&D Manager and/or Key Stakeholders
• Keep technically abreast of relevant developments in the field
• To champion health & safety by working together to deliver safety first
• Travel to other Tirlán sites or external services, meetings, conferences as required.

This role will involve direct liaison with internal departments and relevant external organisations to co-ordinate and drive the completion of all activities in the development process from brief through to full production.

Requirements

• Science based qualification in Food Science/Nutrition, Food Technology, or Food Engineering to BSc level or similar
• Preferred 2+ year’s relevant technical experience in a value-added dairy/plant or food industry with customer facing experience

• Passionate about food, food ingredients and NPD
• Full clean driving licence and access to own car
• Attention to detail, concise report writing skills and ability to review projects with R&D team and commercial team

• Demonstrate excellence in project management and aptitude for planning and delivering projects to completion
• Cross-functional team player capable of liaising with several functions within the business
• Good communication (written and verbal) & influencing skills for interaction at all levels
• Problem solving and ability to deal with ambiguity
• Proactive and self-driven
• Customer focused
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Proficient user of Microsoft Office especially Excel and Word
• Full Clean Driving licence and access to own car

We offer

• Work/life balance and collaborative work culture
• Career progression opportunities
• Free parking

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