Production Operations Manager

Tirlán; Kilkenny; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Tirlán Ballyragget is seeking an ambitious Production Operations Manager to lead our Cheese Plant as part of a developmental path to Plant Manager and then Production/Process Manager roles. You will report to the Site Manager and drive safety, quality, and performance across the plant.

The role offers exposure to senior leadership, responsibility for critical manufacturing operations, and opportunities to shape operational excellence across functions at Ballyragget.

Qualifications

• Third-level qualification in Engineering, Science, Food Science or a related discipline.
• 5+ years' leadership experience within food manufacturing, FMCG or a similar operational environment.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional teams across Operations, Quality, Health & Safety.
• Strong track record delivering operational performance and driving continuous improvement initiatives (Lean/operational excellence).
• Experience managing large teams and creating high-performance cultures.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Commercial awareness and a customer-focused mindset.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction across Cheese Plant operations, creating a high-performance culture focused on safety, quality and results.
• Lead and develop department managers and teams, fostering engagement, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Oversee plant-wide functions including manufacturing operations, quality assurance, engineering, health & safety, materials management and information systems.
• Contribute to strategic planning, develop annual business plans and manage operational costs in line with budget requirements.
• Deliver the highest quality products in line with customer expectations and product specifications.
• Drive achievement of key operational KPIs including throughput, yield, efficiency and service levels.
• Champion world-class EHS standards and ensure compliance with all regulatory and company requirements.
• Embed an operational excellence mindset through Lean, Business Excellence and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Develop and implement robust quality processes that strengthen customer satisfaction and business performance.
• Monitor and report on plant performance, providing clear insights and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Build strong collaborative relationships across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Technical, R&D, HR and other Tirlán sites.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional teamwork

Continuous improvement

Operational excellence

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Third-level qualification in Engineering/Science/Food Science

Job description

Production Operations Manager (Plant Manager development opportunity)

Tirlán Ballyragget | On-site

Tirlán

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

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

We nurture a talented team across Ireland, the US, MEA and China, delivering annual revenues of over €3 billion, and circa 2,000 people to manage our network of 11 processing plants and 52 agri branches. Our purpose is to nourish the world, while safeguarding our environment for future generations.

Role Profile

We're looking for an ambitious and experienced Production Operations Manager to join our Ballyragget site on a permanent basis.

This is a unique opportunity for a production leader to broaden their experience and take on a leadership role at the largest multi-purpose integrated dairy plant in Europe.

The successful candidate will initially step into the position of Plant Manager within our Cheese Plant for an 18-month period. Reporting directly to the Site Manager, you will lead all aspects of plant performance, driving operational excellence across production, quality, engineering, safety and people leadership. This assignment offers exceptional exposure and development at Plant Manager level, providing the opportunity to lead a critical manufacturing operation while making a tangible impact on business performance.

Following the completion of the 18-month assignment, you will transition into a permanent Production/Process Manager role within the Ballyragget site, where you will continue to play a key role in delivering operational excellence and supporting the growth of our business.

What You'll Do (Plant Manager Assignment)

• Provide leadership and direction across all aspects of Cheese Plant operations, creating a high-performance culture focused on safety, quality and results.
• Lead and develop department managers and teams, fostering engagement, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Oversee plant-wide functions including manufacturing operations, quality assurance, engineering, health & safety, materials management and information systems.
• Contribute to strategic planning, develop annual business plans and manage operational costs in line with budget requirements.
• Deliver the highest quality products in line with customer expectations and product specifications.
• Drive achievement of key operational KPIs including throughput, yield, efficiency and service levels.
• Champion world-class EHS standards and ensure compliance with all regulatory and company requirements.
• Embed an operational excellence mindset through the use of Lean, Business Excellence and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Develop and implement robust quality processes that strengthen customer satisfaction and business performance.
• Monitor and report on plant performance, providing clear insights and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Build strong collaborative relationships across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Technical, R&D, HR and other Tirlán sites.

What You'll Bring

• Qualification level -Third-level qualification in Engineering, Science, Food Science or a related discipline.
• 5+ years' leadership experience within food manufacturing, FMCG or a similar operational environment.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional teams across Operations, Quality, Health & Safety and Environmental programmes.
• Strong track record of delivering operational performance and driving continuous improvement initiatives (strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles and operational excellence practices)
• Experience managing large teams and creating high-performance cultures.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Commercial awareness and a customer-focused mindset.

What Success Looks Like

You’ll thrive in this role if you:

• Lead with integrity, accountability and respect.
• Create an inclusive and positive working environment where people can perform at their best.
• Coach and develop others, helping teams and individuals grow.
• Bring energy, resilience and a solutions-focused mindset.
• Build strong partnerships and collaborate effectively across functions.
• Embrace continuous improvement and challenge the status quo.
• Demonstrate flexibility, adaptability and a commitment to delivering results.
• Possess excellent planning, organisation and problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities

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.

Tirlán is a Values Based Organisation