Own Brand Specification and Training Lead

Musgrave Group Plc; Cork; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Musgrave Group Plc in Cork is seeking an Own Brand Specification and Training Lead for a 24-month contract. You will lead the Own Brand specification system, oversee training for cross-functional teams, and provide expert guidance on product specifications, regulatory compliance and health strategy.

You will drive reformulation projects to improve fat, sugar, and salt profiles, manage audits, and collaborate with suppliers and external partners across EU, UK and Irish legislation, with some

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Technology/Science or related.
• Strong experience in food specification management.
• Regulatory compliance and supplier engagement in food retail.
• Expertise in food legislation, reformulation, health strategy, sustainability.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• 5 years FMCG/food manufacturing/retailer experience.
• Ability to work independently and in cross-functional teams.
• Outstanding attention to detail.
• Love of food and latest trends.
• Train the trainer qualification.

Responsibilities

• Lead Own Brand specification system and training program.
• Provide expert advice on specification writing, legislation and sustainability.
• Manage training for the Own Brand Team; lead health strategy.
• Lead reformulation projects reducing fat, sugar, salt; liaise with stakeholders.
• Improve specification system, processes and documentation.
• Audit Own Brand product specifications for compliance.
• Support internal policy documents with cross-functional input.
• Manage communications: surveys, campaigns; external comms.
• Oversee relationships with consultants, SLAs and KPIs.
• Collaborate with industry experts and government bodies.

Skills

Food specification management

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Communication

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Food industry knowledge

Train the trainer

Education

Bachelors in Food Technology or Food Science

Tools

Computerised specification systems

Job description

Own Brand Specification and Training Lead

Contract: 24 Months

Location: Cork

Join Musgrave – A Legacy of Innovation, Community, and Excellence

Musgrave is one of Europe’s most successful family‑owned businesses, with a rich 150‑year legacy in food and brand innovation. We're proud to serve communities across Ireland and Spain, feeding one in three people every day through 18 iconic brands like SuperValu, Centra, Mace, Frank and Honest, and Musgrave MarketPlace. By supporting thousands of retail and foodservice family businesses, we make a positive impact on the communities they serve. We're committed to becoming the most trusted and sustainable business in Ireland, and we're looking for dynamic, forward‑thinking individuals to join us on this journey.

We are inviting applications for a Specification and Training Lead. The successful candidate will join a vibrant Own Brand Team that develops and markets leading Retail Own Brand products, both food and non‑food, including SuperValu, Centra and Musgrave Excellence brands. To lead the management, development and continuous improvement of the Own Brand specification system, while providing expert guidance on product specifications, regulatory compliance, health strategy, reformulation and sustainability. This role supports suppliers and internal teams through training, cross‑functional project delivery and external stakeholder engagement to ensure accurate, compliant and commercially effective product information.

There will be a small amount of travel in the role.

What you'll be doing:

• Lead the Own Brand specification system and associated training program, ensuring effective system use across suppliers and internal teams.
• Provide expert advice on specification writing, food legislation and regulation, sustainability, horizon scanning and health‑related requirements.
• Manage and lead the training requirements for the Own Brand Team. This includes design and delivery where required.
• Health lead for the Own Brand team, advising health strategy, legislative developments and product reformulation.
• Lead reformulation projects focused on reducing fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt, including liaison with external industry stakeholders.
• Identify and implement improvements to the specification system, processes and supporting documentation.
• Manage internal audits of Own Brand product specifications to ensure compliance with EU, UK and Irish legislation and internal standards.
• Support the development of internal policy documents as part of cross‑functional working groups.
• Manage communications activity, including surveys, campaigns and external communications.
• Manage relationships with external consultants, including regulatory advisors and system providers, and oversee contracts, service level agreements, KPIs and development plans.
• Collaborate with industry experts, government bodies and academic partners to maintain awareness of legislation, best practice and training opportunities.

What we are looking for:

• Third level degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Food Business, or similar relevant course.
• Strong experience in food specification management
• Regulatory compliance and supplier engagement within a food retail environment.
• Expertise in food legislation, product reformulation, health strategy, and sustainability
• Excellent project management skills with a proven record of such.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills
• 5 years hands on experience in the FMCG sector/food manufacturing/retailer environment in a transferable role such as Development/Project Management/ Technical.
• The ability to work individually, as well as part of a large, cross functional team
• Outstanding attention to detail
• A love of food and the latest trends
• Train the trainer qualification

Functional hands‑on experience in:

• Project management and planning
• Legislation, legal labels, product specifications, horizon scanning, health insights
• Manage budgets, audits, external partners and cross‑functional stakeholders effectively
• Process oriented, required to demonstrate strong organisational, analytical, communication and negotiation skills
• Application of benchmarking and lean techniques
• Computerised specification systems

Why Musgrave:
Career Development: With a commitment to your personal and professional growth, Musgrave offers numerous opportunities for advancement and learning.
Collaborative Environment: Work alongside a passionate team, where your contributions will make a significant impact
Innovation Focus: Be part of a company that values forward‑thinking solutions
Community Focus: Be part of a company that truly values its communities and strives to make a positive impact.
Be Part of a Legacy: Join a company with a long‑standing commitment to community and innovation.

Ready to make an impact? Apply now and be part of a forward‑thinking company that values your expertise and vision.

Musgrave is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications from diverse candidates. If we can make any accommodations to enable you to be the best version of yourself during the interview, please let us know.

Musgrave operate a Work Smart hybrid working model where you can alternate your time between connecting and collaborating in the business and working remotely.