Production Manager Whey

Tirlán; Kilkenny; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Tirlán is seeking a Production Manager for the Whey Plant at Ballyragget, Co Kilkenny. The role reports to the Whey Plant Manager and leads a 24/7 shift roster to deliver high-quality whey products.

Responsibilities include implementing Zero Harm safety procedures, maintaining product quality, and collaborating with Commercial, Planning, Engineering and Despatch to meet KPIs. Strong leadership and dairy know-how are valued.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years of management experience in Food/Beverage manufacturing.
• Proven ability to lead teams to meet tight deadlines and maintain operations.
• Lean manufacturing experience and continuous improvement mindset.
• Strong technical aptitude and attention to detail.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office; SAP knowledge; IQS/MES beneficial.
• Excellent communication with multi-functional stakeholders.
• Knowledge of dairy processes and recipes advantageous.
• Motivated self-starter with customer orientation.

Responsibilities

• Promote and implement Health & Safety procedures per Zero Harm.
• Ensure product safety and quality per Management System.
• Lead a 24/7 shift roster and production targets.
• Collaborate with Commercial team to align with plant KPIs.
• Drive process improvements using lean methods.
• Coach on-site culture and effective change management.
• Support HR policies and staff development.

Skills

Management experience

Lean manufacturing

Cross-functional collaboration

SAP experience

IQS/MES knowledge

Strong communication

Dairy industry knowledge

Problem solving

Microsoft Office

Tools

SAP

IQS/MES

Job description

Production Manager Whey Plant

Spray Dryers

Ballyragget, Co Kilkenny

About Tirlán

Tirlán,is a world-class food and nutrition co-operative, with a diverse portfolio of quality ingredients, leading consumer and agri brands.

A talented team of over 2,100 people manage Tirlán’s network of 11 production facilities and 52 agri retail outlets serving its communities. Tirlán’s state-of-the-art headquarters in Kilkenny city and innovation centre in Ballyragget promote innovation, creativity and collaboration. Tirlán is committed to sustainability throughout the organisation through its comprehensive Living Proof programme, and the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) contained within it. For more information visit www.tirlan.com

Role Profile:

This role is in based in the Whey Plant in Ballyragget and will report to the Whey Plant Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Promote & implement best practice Health & Safety procedures, in line with Tirlán’s Zero Harm policies
• Adherence to product safety and legality standards, in line with our Quality Management System
• Produce highest quality product to meet agreed customer and product specifications.
• Lead a team of Shift Managers, working a 24/7 shift roster system

• Collaborate with the Tirlán’s Commercial team in the planning and implementation of Customer requirements in line with overall plant KPIs

• Bring resolution to deviations in Whey plant Metrics with robust CAPA

• Working closely with other Area Managers and departments such as Planning, Process, Engineering and Despatch, you will ensure production plans are achieved in the most timely and efficient manner
• Ensure production targets (throughput, yields, recoveries) are met.
• Champion a coaching culture that delivers cross-shift consistency, to ensure customer requirements are met at any time in a 24/7 plant.

• Identify and implement process improvements that can deliver maximum benefits to the business using lean manufacturing principles, in line with our Business Excellence approach. Actively seek and participate in activities/projects focusing on innovation and improvement in production methods/processes.

• Promote and drive a culture on site which maximises employee engagement levels through our ways of working.

• Act as an effective communicator and implementer of change within the plant
• Champion all HR policies and procedures in dealing with staff issues

Key Requirements:

• 2 – 3 years management experience in the Food, Pharmaceutical or Beverage manufacturing sector with experience in manufacture of products used in sensitive or specialist customer applications an advantage
• Proven ability to manage teams to reach tight deadlines & ensure continuity of operations
• Aptitude for operational processes, working with cross- functional teams, Lean and continuous improvement
• Demonstrate high technical ability and attention to detail to do the job at a high level of accomplishment
• Computer literate (Microsoft Office suite & a working knowledge of SAP). Working knowledge of IQS/MES an advantage
• Strong communications with multi-functional stakeholders
• Knowledge of Dairy products, processes and recipes an advantage
• Possesses motivational skills oriented towards encouraging people’s best performance possible
• Customer orientation and business awareness
• Information handling skills

Other

• Motivated and self-driven
• Excellent Influencing skills
• Proactive and innovative problem-solving skills with good analytical and IT skills

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

Tirlán embraces diversity, equal opportunity and inclusion. We are committed to building diverse teams where different perspectives drive innovation and growth. We strive to create an inclusive workplace where people can bring their true self to work and achieve their full potential.

At Tirlán, we celebrate diversity, because we know that our individual strengths make us stronger together. We welcome and encourage interest from a wide variety of candidates, and we will give your application consideration, without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, or disability status.

At Tirlán our culture will celebrate individuality, knowing that together we are more.

Tirlán owns leading consumer and agri brands such as Avonmore, Kilmeaden Cheese, Millac, Solmiko, Truly Grass Fed, Premier Milk, Wexford, mymilkman.ie and GAIN Animal Nutrition.

About us:

The farmer-owned co-operative has a first-class track record of success in the global market. Rooted in a rich heritage of family farming and embedded in its communities, Tirlán has evolved to bring the passion of its farmers and their high-quality milk and grains to the international marketplace. Using modern-day technology and applying the best processes to its milk pool of three billion litres and its premium grains portfolio, Tirlán now exports to more than 80 countries. Its award-winning brands are household names in Ireland, and include Ireland’s number one consumer dairy brand, Avonmore.

The organisation draws on a wealth of experience to deliver exceptional products and tailored nutritional solutions including Kilmeaden, Wexford, Truly Grass Fed, Solmiko, CheddMax and GAIN. Tirlán has a strong market presence in the UK, France, Germany, UAE, the US, North Africa, Japan and China.

Tirlán is a Values Based Organisation - www.tirlan.com