Site Head of Quality

Site Head of Quality

Kilkenny Food Company

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

This role has responsibility for managing the all aspects of Quality Operations at our Tirlán site in Kilkenny City. The site produces Avonmore Soups and desserts and is part of Tirlán’s consumer category.  This includes leading the Quality team, on-going development of the plant’s Quality and Food Safety Management System, verification of the Food safety and quality control  programs and, together with the site management team leading the  Quality and food safety  culture onsite.  The role provides leadership to the plant Operations and Logistics and Engineering functions to ensure that our customer, Tirlán and Regulatory standards are maintained. Tirlán are committed to people development and this  role offers an opportunity for an experienced Quality professional  to join our Tirlán network of 9 production sites. The role reports to the  Head of Quality Operations

Responsibilities

• Participate and play an active role in Tirlán’s Quality Leadership team, engaging with other site quality leaders and the Tirlán central Quality team,  to continually develop Tirlán’s Quality system  & standards
• Lead the site’s Quality team in the management of the plant’s Food Safety, Quality control and Quality Assurance programs ensuring effective monitoring and verification procedures are in place
• Support and guide the Operations team  in the  implementation of relevant  Food Safety & Quality Programs including HACCP and GMP and participate/lead RCAs as required
• Ensure the timely testing of raw materials & assessment of finished products  for spec compliance as part of the Quality Control program
• Play a lead role among management peers in developing and sustaining a strong Quality and Food Safety culture for the site
• Lead the  Site Food Safety & Risk  Management activities, ensuring a strong culture of risk identification and effective CAPA implementation
• Manage and  respond to  complaints and implement effect actions on site
• Maintain required certifications and meet Tirlán’s Quality Standards program
• Evaluate, approve and sign off on process changes and validations;
• Maintain the sites in a state of inspection readiness, prepare and successfully host customer, regulatory and certification audits.  Run scheduled and unannounced audits. Track and report compliance to the output of those audits.
• Develop, train and  manage the Quality team
• Support training  of  key operations roles that impact food safety and Quality and develop an effective assessment  process.
• Co-ordinate food safety and Quality RCA process including oversight of effective related CAPA

Requirements

• A third level qualification in Dairy or Food Science, or equivalent;
• 5 years plus experience with strong leadership experience in quality and food safety management in the dairy, prepared meals, beverage, meat or wider food industries.
• Experienced in leading and developing Food Safety & Quality culture, FMCG plant experience desirable
• Demonstrate high technical ability and attention to detail to do the job at a high level of accomplishment.

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