RD&A Technologist I

Kerry Group plc; Newmarket; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Kerry Group plc is seeking an RDA Technologist to join their R&D team in Portadown. The role involves collaborating with various teams to drive new product introductions and process improvements, ensuring alignment with business strategies and customer care. Candidates should have a degree in Food Science or related field, along with strong project management and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science or related field, or relevant industry experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, experience with SAP and Optiva is an advantage.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate gate zero meetings for site approval and create feasibility studies.
• Manage product and packaging development and conduct trials.
• Document activities including nutritional information and shelf life data.

Skills

Project Management

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Organizational Skills

Attention to Detail

Education

Degree in Food Science

Tools

Microsoft Office

SAP

Optiva

Job description

Press Tab to Move to Skip to Content Link

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert: Create Alert

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Kerry Dairy Ireland is a vertically integrated farm-to-fork business with a substantial retail presence and a leading nutritional and dairy ingredients division, delivering high-quality dairy solutions focused on sustainability and innovation. From partnering with local family farms to producing world-class dairy products, we ensure every step of our value chain reflects our commitment to excellence.

With over 50 years of experience in milk processing, dairy and nutritional technology advancement, and product innovation, we are a key stakeholder in the global food industry with a strong portfolio of market-leading dairy brands including Cheestrings, Charleville, Coleraine Cheese, Dairygold, Golden Cow, and our new SMUG range. Our culture of food, for food, and deep-rooted connection to our 2,800 milk suppliers differentiates us and offers captivating opportunities for our customers and consumers.

Our dairy comes from some of the world’s richest grazing land, produced by Irish family farms with one of the lowest carbon footprints globally. Through expertise, innovation, and sustainability, Kerry Dairy Ireland is shaping the future of dairy while meeting the diverse needs of farmers, customers, and communities.

Headquartered in Tralee, Co. Kerry, we operate multiple manufacturing facilities in the southwest of Ireland, including Listowel, Charleville, Newmarket, and Farranfore. We also manage 29 Farm & Home stores throughout the region. Our presence extends to Northern Ireland and the UK in Portadown, Coleraine, and Ossett.

Globally, Kerry Dairy Ireland employs over 1,600 professionals across Ireland, Northern Ireland, the UK, USA, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and China. In 2024, we achieved a turnover of approximately €1.3 billion, reflecting our commitment to growth and excellence.

About the role

We are recruiting for an RDA Technologist to join our R&D team in Portadown. You will collaborate with the wider R&D and operations teams to drive projects through development in a timely manner.

This role involves supporting market success by providing a standardized approach to: New Product Introduction trials and launches; Process Improvements and Profit Improvement Projects (PIPs) that delight customers and deliver commercial value.

Success requires working cross-functionally to ensure concepts and recipes align with business strategy. The role also involves building relationships with Marketing, Operations, and Commercial teams, ensuring customer care, and adherence to Kerry’s Purpose, Vision, and Values. A key focus will be monitoring potential upgrades of existing products, considering operational efficiencies and PIP initiatives.

Key responsibilities

• Interpret project briefs and coordinate gate zero meetings for site approval.
• Create feasibility studies detailing project scope, timeline, and resource requirements, using proper project management systems.
• Develop and communicate master schedules with key stakeholders.
• Manage product and packaging development and validation processes.
• Conduct trials from benchtop to pilot plant and scale-up, ensuring documentation and adherence to site systems.
• Document activities including nutritional information and shelf life data.
• Complete costings with procurement and finance, and seek approval from brand or customer once processes are finalized.
• Maintain trial records digitally and physically, capturing outcomes accurately.
• Present new concepts to site senior leadership and stakeholders, ensuring costings align with factory capabilities.
• Conduct post-launch reviews of product quality via consistency panels.

Additional responsibilities

• Prepare product samples for customers.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and organization in NPD work areas.
• Coordinate commercialization activities with quality, technical, and sales teams post-approval.
• Support quality transfer during trials and post-launch until full handover.
• Support brand and customer agendas through project delivery.
• Collaborate with R&D Co-Ordinator/NPI team to prepare presentation materials.
• Stay informed about market, consumer, restaurant trends, and competitor activity, applying insights during development and understanding customer protocols and Kerry’s strategic plan.
• Handover technical documentation to relevant departments for customer specifications and artwork approval, based on development data.

Qualifications and skills

• Degree in Food Science or related field, or relevant industry experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Experience with SAP and Optiva systems is an advantage.
• Fluency in English.
• Ability to work accurately and efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to work independently.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.