Sampling Technician

Kerry; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Kerry is seeking a detail-oriented Sampling Technician to join their Technical Department. This permanent position focuses on coordinating sampling processes and ensuring compliance with food safety standards, allowing you to support quality efforts and engage in continuous improvement initiatives.

Benefits

25 days of annual leave

Comprehensive health coverage

Career development and training opportunities

Safe and friendly work environment

Matched pension scheme of up to 10%

Employee Assistance Program

Benefits platform with discounts

Qualifications

• Strong commitment to quality and safety.
• Confident in working independently.
• Good ability to prioritize tasks.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate stock release management and monitor quality.
• Maintain and execute comprehensive sampling schedules.
• Prepare trend analyses and KPI reports.

Skills

Detail oriented

Time management

Communication

Self-motivation

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Requisition ID: 59131
Position Type: FT Permanent
Workplace Arrangement:

About the role
We are looking for a detail-oriented and proactive Sampling Technician to join our Technical Department in Ossett. In this permanent, full-time position, you will play a key role in maintaining product quality and ensuring compliance with food safety standards by coordinating the sampling and stock release processes. You will support cross-functional teams and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

This is not a lab-based role. Instead, it focuses on the coordination of samples being sent to an external laboratory. While prior lab experience is not required, a basic understanding of microbiology or chemistry would be beneficial.

You will report directly to the Quality Manager.

About Kerry Dairy
Kerry Dairy Ireland is a vertically integrated farm-to-fork business with a very substantial consumer foods presence and a leading nutritional and dairy ingredients division, delivering high-quality dairy solutions with a focus 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' experience in milk processing, dairy and nutritional technology advancement, and product innovation, we are a key stakeholder in the global food industry and creators of a strong portfolio of market leading dairy brands including Cheestrings, Charleville and Coleraine Cheese, Dairygold, Golden Cow and our new SMUG range. Our from food, for food culture and deep-rooted connection to our 2,800 milk suppliers differentiates our business and offers captivating opportunities for our customers and consumers.

Our dairy comes from some of the world's richest grazing land and is produced by a network of Irish family farms that have one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world. Through a combination of expertise, innovation, and sustainability, Kerry Dairy Ireland is proud to shape the future of dairy while meeting the diverse needs of our 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. Additionally, we manage 29 Farm & Home stores throughout the region, ensuring comprehensive coverage and service. In Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom, our presence extends to key locations in Portadown, Coleraine, and Ossett.

Globally, Kerry Dairy Ireland employs over 1,600 dedicated 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 excellence and growth.

Key responsibilities
1. Stock Release Management

• Coordinate the placement of stock on quality hold based on production, testing, or compliance concerns
• Monitor and manage the timely release of stock once quality criteria are met, ensuring alignment with business needs and minimizing delays in the supply chain
• Liaise with relevant departments to communicate stock status and resolve any quality-related issues that may impact product availability

2. Sampling & Testing Coordination

• Maintain and execute a comprehensive sampling schedule covering:
  • Microbiological testing to assess product safety and shelf-life
  • Allergen testing to ensure compliance with allergen control plans
  • Chemical and nutritional analysis to verify product specifications and labelling accuracy
• Ensure samples are collected, labelled, and submitted to internal or external laboratories in accordance with standard operating procedures and regulatory requirements
• Track and follow up on test results, ensuring timely entry into the ERP system (SAP) and initiating appropriate actions based on outcomes
• Organize and participate in organoleptic (sensory) taste panels to assess product quality and consistency

3. Analysis & Reporting

• Prepare trend analyses and key performance indicator (KPI) reports to support continuous improvement and compliance monitoring
• Participate in internal and external quality audits, supporting audit readiness and corrective action implementation

4. Perform additional duties within the Technical Department as required, including ordering consumables and supporting food safety investigations

Qualifications and skills

• Detail oriented individual with a strong commitment to quality and safety
• Good time management and ability to prioritize tasks effectively
• Self-motivated and confident working independently
• Clear and effective communication skills
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Excel
• Practical experience in setting up sensory panel would be a plus.

What We Offer
At Kerry Dairy Ireland, we believe in the power of curious and talented individuals to make a real difference. As a Sampling Technician, you'll be part of a six-person team, with the opportunity to learn directly from your manager and experienced colleagues. Together, we work to inspire food and nourish life, bringing fresh ideas to food industry challenges.

If you're interested in the food sector and quality, this role is a great opportunity to gain practical technical skills in the agri-food industry.

We also offer:

• 25 days of annual leave (excluding public holidays)
• Comprehensive health coverage
• Career development and training opportunities
• A safe, friendly, and people-focused work environment
• A matched pension scheme of up to 10%
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program
• A benefits platform with discounts and cashback from major retailers

Beware of scams online or from individuals claiming to represent us. A Kerry employee will not solicit candidates through a non-Kerry email address or phone number. In addition, Kerry does not currently utilise video chat rooms (e.g., Google Hangouts) to conduct interviews. Refuse any request that asks you to provide payment to participate in the hiring process (e.g., purchasing a "starter kit," investing in training, or something similar). Kerry will not ask you to pay any money at any point in the hiring process with the exception of reimbursable travel expenses. In addition, any payments made by Kerry will be from official firm accounts bearing the Kerry name.

Recruiter:
Posting Type: LI

Please note also: We do not accept CVs or candidate profiles from recruitment agencies where terms of business have not been signed. Additionally, we will not consider or agree to payment of any recruiter fee under these circumstances. This also applies to CVs or candidate profiles sent directly to any Kerry Hiring Managers. In the event that speculative CVs or candidate profiles are submitted by recruitment agencies, we reserve the right to contact these candidates directly and consider them for current or future vacancies without any financial obligation to the recruitment agency.