Process Lead

Tirlán; Ireland; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Tirlán in Ballitore, Co. Kildare, seeks a Process Lead to drive continuous improvement across manufacturing. The role provides shift leadership and ensures safety, quality, and productivity in a dynamic site environment.

Reporting to the Production Manager, you will develop SOPs, analyse data, and collaborate with Production, Quality, Engineering and Maintenance teams. Standard hours are 8:00am–5:00pm with occasional shift cover.

Qualifications

• Must have experience driving continuous improvement in manufacturing.
• Excellent leadership and people-management skills.
• Experience with SAP or similar ERP systems is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvement projects to enhance manufacturing efficiency, quality, and performance.
• Analyze production data to identify opportunities to optimise processes and reduce waste.
• Collaborate with Production, Quality, Engineering, and Maintenance to deliver sustainable improvements.
• Develop and maintain SOPs and process documentation.
• Act as Shift Manager during planned and unplanned absences.
• Champion health, safety, quality, and food safety across operations.
• Coach, mentor and support colleague development.

Skills

Continuous improvement

Team leadership

Data analysis

Lean manufacturing

Leadership

Tools

SAP

Job description

PROCESS LEAD

12-Month Fixed-Term Contract

Location

Tirlán is a world-class food and nutrition co-operative with a diverse portfolio of high-quality ingredients, leading consumer brands, and agri-business solutions. A talented team of over 2,100 colleagues manages Tirlán's network of production facilities and Agri retail outlets. Sustainability is embedded throughout the organisation through its Living Proof programme and Science Based Targets initiative commitments. For more information visit www.tirlan.com

Role Profile

Based at our Ballitore site in Co. Kildare and reporting to the Production Manager, the Process Lead is responsible for driving continuous improvement initiatives across the manufacturing operation while also providing operational leadership through shift cover when required. This role focuses on enhancing safety, quality, productivity, and cost performance while ensuring effective supervision of production operations during shift cover periods.

This is not a continuous shift position. The role is expected to provide approximately 80 to 100 shifts of cover annually. Remaining working days will follow a standard schedule of 8:00am to 5:00pm.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvement projects to enhance manufacturing efficiency, product quality, and operational performance.
• Analyse production data to identify opportunities to optimise processes, reduce waste, improve yields, and increase overall effectiveness.
• Collaborate with Production, Quality, Engineering, and Maintenance teams to deliver sustainable operational improvements.
• Develop and maintain SOPs and process documentation.
• Act as Shift Manager during planned and unplanned absences.
• Champion a strong culture of health, safety, quality, and food safety.
• Support colleague development through coaching, mentoring, and feedback.

Key Requirements

• Experience within a manufacturing environment, ideally food, beverage, dairy or related sectors.
• Previous team leadership or supervisory experience is advantageous.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with SAP or similar ERP systems would be beneficial.
• Knowledge of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies is desirable.

Our Culture

At Tirlán, our values guide how we work together, support our customers, and serve our communities. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can contribute, grow, and succeed.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

We believe in the value of difference. We know that different perspectives, life experience and backgrounds can drive innovation and deliver growth.

We welcome people from all walks of life without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, or disability status.