Head of Agribusiness at Kinisla

Kinisla; Tralee; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Health Care

Car allowance

Matched pension scheme

Discounts & cashback platform

Job summary

Kinisla is seeking a Head of Agribusiness at its Tralee Head Office to lead strategy, commercial performance and operations across the Feed, Fertiliser and Stores Trading businesses.

You will report to the CEO, own full P&L, drive growth, sustainability initiatives and milk supplier relations, while ensuring governance and risk management. This is a senior leadership role requiring deep sector knowledge and proven people leadership.

Qualifications

• Third-level degree in Business, Agricultural Science or an equivalent relevant discipline.
• At least five years’ experience in a senior management role within a dairy business, agribusiness or closely related sector.
• Strong knowledge of the Irish dairy and agricultural sectors.
• Proven experience managing a substantial business area with full P&L responsibility.
• Strong commercial, financial and strategic capability.
• Experience in milk supply, farmer relations, agricultural inputs or related supply‑chain activities.
• Proven ability to lead and develop senior managers and multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to operate effectively at Executive Team.
• Strong judgement, integrity and decision‑making capability.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of the Agribusiness strategy, ensuring alignment with the Group's objectives and growth ambitions.
• Hold full accountability for divisional P&L performance, including revenue, margin, budgeting, costs and working capital management.
• Drive the commercial success of the Feed, Fertiliser and Stores Trading businesses, identifying opportunities for growth, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Take overall responsibility for milk supplier stakeholder relations, ensuring effective engagement, clear communication and the development of strong, trusted, long-term relationships.
• Lead the implementation of on-farm sustainability initiatives and related assurance programmes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with farming communities, industry bodies, regulators, government departments and other key stakeholders.
• Provide strategic leadership across Agribusiness operations, driving operational excellence, customer service, safety and team performance.
• Ensure effective governance, risk management and reporting processes are in place to protect the business and support informed decision-making.

Skills

Leadership

P&L management

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Financial acumen

Milk supply relations

Team leadership

Communication skills

Executive presence

Integrity & judgment

Education

Business / Agricultural Science degree

Job description

This Full time on site position offers great opportunities for career growth.

About the Role

Due to internal progression, we have a unique and exciting new opportunity as Head of Agribusiness in our Tralee Head Office. The Head of Agribusiness will have overall responsibility for the strategic, commercial and operational performance of Kinisla Group Limited's Agribusiness division. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and serving as a member of the Executive Team, the role is responsible for the commercial Feed, Fertiliser and Stores Trading businesses, together with the implementation of on-farm sustainability programmes and managing milk supplier stakeholder relations. The Head of Agribusiness will have full P&L responsibility for the division and will lead its strategy, people and operations to deliver sustainable growth, strong commercial performance and trusted relationships with milk suppliers and other stakeholders.

What will I be doing?

• Lead the development and delivery of the Agribusiness strategy, ensuring alignment with the Group's objectives and growth ambitions.
• Hold full accountability for divisional P&L performance, including revenue, margin, budgeting, costs and working capital management.
• Drive the commercial success of the Feed, Fertiliser and Stores Trading businesses, identifying opportunities for growth, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Take overall responsibility for milk supplier stakeholder relations, ensuring effective engagement, clear communication and the development of strong, trusted, long-term relationships.
• Lead the implementation of on-farm sustainability initiatives and related assurance programmes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with farming communities, industry bodies, regulators, government departments and other key stakeholders.
• Provide strategic leadership across Agribusiness operations, driving operational excellence, customer service, safety and team performance.
• Ensure effective governance, risk management and reporting processes are in place to protect the business and support informed decision-making.

What do I need to be successful?

At Kinisla, we understand that people have very different career trajectories and experiences. In order to be successful in this role we would be looking for the right competencies and aptitudes as well as your proven track record of success in a similar role and environment.

• Third-level degree in Business, Agricultural Science or an equivalent relevant discipline is strongly desired.
• At least five years’ experience in a senior management role within a dairy business, agribusiness or closely related sector.
• Strong knowledge of the Irish dairy and agricultural sectors.
• Proven experience managing a substantial business area with full P&L responsibility.
• Strong commercial, financial and strategic capability.
• Experience in milk supply, farmer relations, agricultural inputs or related supply‑chain activities.
• Proven ability to lead and develop senior managers and multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Ability to operate effectively at Executive Team.
• Strong judgement, integrity and decision‑making capability.

What will I get in return?

At Kinisla, we believe in giving talented, curious people the opportunity to make a difference. We work as a team, searching for the best ways to inspire food and nourish life. We are a community of innovators, working across disciplines to solve global food challenges with a fresh approach. We want you to achieve whatever you put your mind to.

• 25 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays)
• Health Care
• Car allowance
• Matched pension scheme
• Benefits platform offering discounts and cashback on major retailers

About Kinisla

Kinisla 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, Kinisla 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, Kinisla employs over 1,700 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.

We are committed to nurturing an environment of positivity and inclusiveness, where everyone can be at their best, both personally and professionally.

Our recruitment, selection and assessment process are based on the skills and competencies of the specific roles and based entirely on merit. We are committed to and value Diversity and Inclusion in all recruitment processes within Kinisla and do not discriminate based on gender, race, class, economic status, ethnic background, sexual orientation, age, political beliefs, veteran status, marital status or any other protected characteristic.