2026 UK Operations Graduate Programme - Kerry Dairy Ireland

Kerry Group plc; Portadown, Ossett; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading dairy solutions provider is seeking ambitious graduates for their UK Operations Graduate Programme. This full-time role begins with a two-year programme combining learning and hands-on experience in plant operations. Candidates should hold a relevant degree and be eager to contribute to real projects while rotating across functions. The company values curiosity, accountability, and strong relationship-building skills.

Qualifications

• You’re on track or recently completed a degree with at least a 2:1 classification.
• Flexibility to work across different sites and functions.
• Curious and open to learn; ask great questions and seek feedback.

Responsibilities

• Support plant operations and contribute to production targets.
• Lead or assist with new product introductions and process optimization.
• Collaborate with teams across supply chain and finance.

Skills

Self-starter

Curiosity

Relationship building

Flexibility

Accountability

Education

Degree with at least a 2:1 classification

Job description

2026 UK Operations Graduate Programme - Kerry Dairy Ireland

Operations Graduate

Start Date: September 2026

Contract: full time; permanent

At Kerry Dairy Ireland, we’re proud of our heritage and passionate about our future. As a leading provider of dairy solutions across Ireland and Europe, we’re committed to nourishing lives through quality, sustainability, and innovation. We’re looking for ambitious graduates who want to make a real impact in a business that blends tradition with transformation.

This is a permanent, full-time role that begins with a two-year graduate programme combining structured off-the-job learning with hands-on experience. From day one, you’ll contribute to real projects in one of our core business areas. Throughout the programme, you’ll build deep functional expertise in your chosen field, supported by experienced mentors and a close-knit graduate community.

If you’re curious, collaborative, and ready to grow your career in a purpose-driven environment, Kerry Dairy Ireland is the place to start.

Our Operations Programme

Operations is the engine room of Kerry Dairy Ireland. From the arrival of materials and ingredients on site to final product dispatch, our operations teams ensure that our processes run safely, efficiently and sustainably - delivering high-quality dairy products to customers and consumers across Ireland, Europe and the USA. With over 50 years of dairy expertise and a portfolio of leading brands, our operations graduates play a key role in shaping the future of dairy.

What You Might Be Doing

On our 2 year Programme, you’ll rotate through two distinct rotations across location and/or function, and your responsibilities might include:

• Supporting plant operations and contributing to the delivery of production targets.
• Leading or assisting with projects related to new product introductions, process optimisation, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborating with teams across supply chain, quality, finance, health & safety, and commercial to deliver cross-functional solutions.
• Participating in Lean Manufacturing and HACCP training to build your technical and compliance capabilities.
• Taking ownership of your learning journey—asking questions, seeking feedback, and connecting with colleagues across functions.
• Building a strong understanding of Kerry Dairy Ireland’s product portfolio and its application across retail and foodservice channels.

Do you have what it takes?

• You’re on track or recently completed a degree, holding at least a 2:1 classification
• Flexibility to work across different sites and functions
• Whilst an operation related (food science, supply chain or related discipline) degree would be helpful, it is not essential - we are also interested to see evidence of your interest in a career in FMCG and/or food manufacturing
• You will be curious & open to learn— you ask great questions, seek feedback and turn insight into better decisions
• Making it happen – you will need to be a self-starter & take ownership of your workload — you take accountability, prioritize well, whilst being agile to changing priorities
• You will be strong in building relationships – for us this means you can influence, listen and build trust with internal and external stakeholders
• You will be ambitious for yourself and your team, think bigger and challenge the status quo— you test ideas, propose improvements and look for scalable ways of improving the business area you work in
• Eligible to permanently work in the United Kingdom

Kerry Dairy Ireland is a vertically integrated farm-to-fork business with a very substantial retail presence and a leading nutritional and dairy ingredients division, delivering high-quality dairy solutions with a focus on sustainability and innovation.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates.