Process Operator

Thornton Tomasetti; Cootehill, Dromore West; On-site; EUR 19,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott Ireland Nutrition is seeking a Process Operator for a continental shift at the Cootehill site. The role covers milk/oil intake, ingredient preparation, processing, evaporation, and drying to produce Abbott Nutrition products in full compliance with cGMP and quality standards.

The successful candidate will operate and troubleshoot plant equipment, maintain accurate records in MCS/Teamcenter, and support QA with process documentation, while adhering to safety and hygiene requirements.

Qualifications

• Leaving Certificate or equivalent required.
• Experience in process manufacturing is advantageous.
• Ability to follow manufacturing directions, SOPs and QA requirements.

Responsibilities

• Operate process equipment across intake to drying.
• Monitor and respond to alarms, maintain records in MCS/Teamcenter.
• Support QA with documentation and sampling as required.
• Ensure hygiene and safety standards are followed.

Skills

Interpreting data

Problem solving

Independent work

Good communication

cGMP awareness

Education

Leaving Certificate

Tools

Teamcenter

MCS

Forklifts

Barcoding

Job description

About Abbott & Abbott Ireland Nutrition

Abbott has maintained a strong presence in Ireland since 1946 and celebrates its 80th anniversary in the country in 2026. The company supports the Irish healthcare sector with a broad portfolio spanning diagnostics, diabetes care, medical devices and nutritional products. Today, Abbott employs more than 6,200 people across ten sites located in Dublin, Donegal, Clonmel, Cootehill, Galway, Kilkenny, Longford and Sligo. Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Its portfolio of life‑changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Its 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Abbott Ireland Nutrition Division Cootehill Cavan produces a range of infant formulae in all pack sizes under the brand name "Similac". To complement the range of "Similac" infant formulae, the facility also manufactures a range of follow‑on formulae under the brand name of "Gain". The essential ingredient is liquid skim‑milk and this is combined with carbohydrate, vegetable oils, vitamins and minerals. The product is blended, pasteurised, dried and packaged at the site and once packaged, is distributed to Europe, South East Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Canada. Established in 1975, Abbott Nutrition in Ireland is the largest powder manufacturing facility for the production of infant formulae within the Abbott Corporation worldwide. Approximately 1,000 dairy farms in Ireland and Northern Ireland supply quality milk to the Cootehill facility which processes 500,000 litres per day. This secure supply together with Ireland’s reputation as a green, clean environment is of significant strategic importance to Abbott Nutrition.

*Please note any offer of employment for this position isconditional upon the successful completionof a pre‑employment medical examination, including drug and alcohol screening, conducted by a medical practitioner designated by the Company.

Job Summary

We currently have a position of Process Operator on our continental shift, and this role will involve the following:

Primary Purpose

The Process Operator plays a key role in the safe, efficient, and compliant manufacture of Abbott Nutrition products. This role covers operations across milk/oil intake, ingredient preparation, processing, evaporation, and drying, ensuring all products meet Abbott and customer quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Duties (General)
  • Perform routine preventative maintenance per schedule.
  • Monitor environmental and process conditions and respond to spills, alarms, and system faults.
  • Collaborate effectively with QA and cross‑functional teams.
  • Assist with non‑routine tasks and provide knowledge transfer to new operators.
  • Use systems such as Teamcenter and MCS for documentation and stock updates.
• Milk/Oil Intake
  • Verify milk certificates of analysis and QA release for oils.
  • Pump deliveries, monitor tanker conditions, and carry out CIP of tankers.
  • Conduct manual cleaning, sampling, and updating MCS records.
  • Ensure accurate placement of milk/oil according to schedule.
• Process
  • Set up plant per manufacturing directions and pick lists.
  • Process batches, weigh and add ingredients, and verify additions.
  • Perform CIP of processing equipment and complete related records.
  • Troubleshoot alarms/valves and inspect silo contents.
• Ingredient Preparation
  • Prepare and weigh ingredients per pick lists.
  • Operate forklifts and manage stock movements using MCS and barcoding.
  • Support bag‑off operations, conduct cleaning and stock checks, and comply with ATEX regulations.
• Evaporator
  • Ensure QA release and correct evaporator setup.
  • Monitor CCP1 and report deviations immediately.
  • Complete CIP logs, walkdowns, and maintain cGMP in high‑care areas.
  • Adjust system faults and maintain filtration stock levels.
• Dryer Operations
  • Follow Change Over Matrix and hopper schedule for product changeovers.
  • Conduct Dryer CIP, feed line cleaning, and record CIP details.
  • Assist QA with swabbing, monitor drying operations, and sample product.
  • Monitor area hygiene compliance and maintain inventory accuracy.

Major Responsibilities

• Safely and effectively operate all process equipment from intake to drying.
• Produce product in full compliance with Abbott specifications and customer requirements.
• Follow all Abbott policies, local rules, cGMP, hygiene standards, and documentation procedures.
• Maintain attention to detail across all operations.

Education & Experience

• Leaving Certificate (or equivalent).
• Experience working in the Process Team would be an advantage.

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

• Ability to interpret technical data (charts, graphs, flow rates, temperature readings).
• Strong problem‑solving and troubleshooting ability.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Good communication skills and accountability at shift handover.
• Understanding manufacturing directions, cGMP, hygiene standards, and key plant equipment.
• Good computer literacy.

Hours of Work

Continental Shift (4 week rotation 12hrs shifts – alternating between days and nights) 7.30am – 7.30pm and 7.30pm – 7.30am (Monday – Sunday)

Compensation

The base pay for this position is N/A/hour In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

Job Information

Job Family: Manufacturing

DIVISION: ANSC Nutrition Supply Chain

LOCATION: Ireland > Cootehill : Dromore West

ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:

WORK SHIFT: Ie - Chprw8Pm (Ireland)

TRAVEL: Not specified

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: Yes

SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Not Applicable

Abbott is about the power of health.

An equal opportunity employer, Abbott welcomes and encourages diversity in our workforce.