Lean & Sustainability Graduate

Dawn Farms; Naas; On-site; EUR 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

22 Days Annual Leave

Health Insurance Contribution

Pension Plan

Subsided Canteen

Training and Development Opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme

Bike to Work Scheme

Christmas savings scheme

Job summary

Dawn Farms in Naas, Co. Kildare, is seeking a Lean & Sustainability Graduate to join its Sustainability Department. The role focuses on eliminating waste, improving flow and efficiency, and supporting environmental performance in a regulated food manufacturing environment.

Working with cross-functional teams, you will apply lean tools, analyze data, and contribute to building a culture of continuous improvement while upholding food safety, quality, and health & safety standards.

Qualifications

• Understanding of Lean principles and continuous improvement approaches.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capability.
• Awareness of sustainability principles and their application in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to work with data to support improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Support and participate in Lean improvement activities across operations, focusing on waste reduction, environmental improvements, process stability and efficiency.
• Apply Lean tools and techniques such as process mapping, root cause analysis, standard work, visual management, and continuous improvement workshops.
• Assist in identifying improvement opportunities that enhance sustainability, efficiency, quality and safety.
• Support delivery of sustainability objectives, including energy efficiency, waste reduction, and responsible resource use.
• Collect and analyse operational data to track performance and support evidence‑based decision making.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to embed Lean ways of working into daily operations.
• Actively promote a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and problem ownership at all levels of the organisation.
• Carry out all activities in line with food safety, quality, and health & safety standards, ensuring compliance with company policies, procedures, and good manufacturing practices.

Skills

Lean principles

Analytical thinking

Sustainability awareness

Data analysis

Proactive

Curious

Continuous learning

Communication

Teamwork

Resilience

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental & Sustainability Studies or relevant

Tools

Excel

Data analysis tools

Process improvement tools

Job description

Your recipe for a rewarding career starts here!

About Us

Established in 1985, Dawn Farms is a family-owned company and the largest dedicated supplier of cooked meat and plant-based ingredients and fermented and dried sausage products outside of the US. The company currently supplies world-leading food brands across more than 44 markets, including the UK, Europe, Asia and Africa. With over 1,000 employees we are committed to meeting the needs of our customers in a safe, innovative and sustainable way, all while strengthening the communities where they live and work.

Job Purpose

Dawn Farms is currently seeking an Lean & Sustainability Graduate to join our Sustainability Department to be based in our state of the art production facilities in Naas, Co. Kildare. The Lean & Sustainability Graduate will support the delivery of continuous improvement and sustainability initiatives across the business, using lean business tools and theories. The role will focus on eliminating waste, improving flow and efficiency, strengthening standard work, and supporting environmental performance within a regulated food manufacturing environment. Working closely with cross-functional teams, the graduate will contribute to building a strong culture of continuous improvement while ensuring that food safety, quality, and health & safety requirements are consistently upheld.

Positions:

Full-Time, Fixed Term 2 years.

Location:

Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

Salary:

DOE

Working Hours:

39 hours per week, Mon. - Fri. (some flexibility required)

Role Responsibilities & Duties:

• Support and participate in Lean improvement activities across operations, focusing on waste reduction, environmental improvements, process stability and efficiency.
• Apply Lean tools and techniques such as process mapping, root cause analysis, standard work, visual management, and continuous improvement workshops.
• Assist in identifying improvement opportunities that enhance sustainability, efficiency, quality and safety.
• Support delivery of sustainability objectives, including energy efficiency, waste reduction, and responsible resource use.
• Collect and analyse operational data to track performance and support evidence‑based decision making.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to embed Lean ways of working into daily operations.
• Actively promote a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and problem ownership at all levels of the organisation.
• Carry out all activities in line with food safety, quality, and health & safety standards, ensuring compliance with company policies, procedures, and good manufacturing practices.

Knowledge and Experience to Be Demonstrated:

• Understanding of Lean principles and continuous improvement approaches.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capability.
• Awareness of sustainability principles and their application in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to work with data to support improvement initiatives.

Key Skills & Competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree (minimum) in Environmental & Sustainability Studies or another relevant discipline.
• Exposure to Lean or continuous improvement methodologies (certification desirable but not essential).
• Strong IT skills, particularly in data analysis and process improvement tools.
• Proactive: Seeks out improvement opportunities and takes ownership of actions.
• Curious: Questions existing ways of working and looks for better, simpler solutions.
• Continuous Learner: Open to feedback and committed to developing Lean capability.
• Communicative: Communicates clearly and works effectively with teams at all levels.
• Team‑Oriented: Collaborates openly and supports shared improvement goals.
• Resilient: Maintains focus and momentum in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Adaptable: Responds positively to change and supports continuous improvement culture.

Why Dawn Farms?

We can offer an excellent opportunity to be part of a world‑class team, equipping our teams with the knowledge and the necessary skills to achieve their full potential. Innovation is a key ingredient of our success in protecting our market position and keeping our competitive edge. To be truly innovative, we invest in recruiting and developing a highly skilled, ambitious and talented team.

What we can offer you?

• 22 Days Annual Leave.
• Health Insurance Contribution.
• Pension Plan.
• Subsided Canteen.
• Training and Development Opportunities for further career progression.
• Employee Assistance Programme (Free access/support to Life Coach's, Dietitians, Work Relocation advice etc.)
• Bike to Work Scheme.
• Christmas savings scheme.

'Dawn Farm Foods Ltd. is an equal opprtunities employer'