Quality Manager

Kepak Group; Athleague; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Pension

Paid Maternity Leave

Further Education support

Subsidized Canteen

Refer a Friend Scheme

Bike to Work Scheme

Long Service Awards

Job summary

Kepak Group in Athleague is seeking a Quality Manager to lead regulatory compliance, food safety and quality across the site. You will drive HACCP, BRCGS, GMP, TACCP, VACCP adherence and manage customer specifications and audits.

This role also emphasizes people management, mentoring the technical and QC team, and collaborating with production and commercial teams to ensure audit-ready operations and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Qualification in Agri Science, Food Science, Food Technology, or related discipline.
• Experience in a similar role and People Management experience.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, BRCGS, GMP, TACCP, VACCP, and EU food safety regulations.
• Experience in managing audits and liaising with external stakeholders.
• Proven track record in food safety compliance and quality systems management.
• Knowledge of animal welfare standards a distinct advantage.

Responsibilities

• Champion and maintain compliance with regulatory, BRC, TFMS, MPQAS, and customer standards
• Support and enhance the Food Safety Management System, ensuring its ongoing effectiveness
• Manage and maintain customer product specifications, including via Kepak’s specification system
• Collaborate with commercial, sales, and production teams in the development of new product specifications (NLAF)
• Lead and support investigations into customer complaints, ensuring robust root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective actions (CAPA)
• Drive excellence in handling non‑conformances, both internal and external
• Prepare for and support customer, regulatory, and accreditation audits—ensuring the site is always audit‑ready
• Work closely with DAFM representatives, attending weekly meetings and resolving any issues promptly
• Support the traceability programme, ensuring timely and accurate responses to customer requests
• Monitor and report on customer KPIs, driving corrective actions where needed
• Contribute to continuous improvement projects across the site
• Support, guide, and mentor members of the Technical and QC team

Skills

HACCP

BRCGS

GMP

TACCP

VACCP

EU food regs

Education

Level 6 QQI Advanced HACCP certification

Job description

Kepak is a leading food company with 14 manufacturing sites and over 4,500 employees across Ireland and the UK, with a turnover of €1.75 billion.

The Group operates across three divisions: Meat Division Ireland, Foods Division and Meat Division UK. Guided by our values - Responsibility, Ambition, Passion for Food, and Teamwork. We are committed to operating as a successful, sustainable, future‑ready business that is a great place to work. We supply fresh and value‑added meat based products to retail and foodservice through private label and our own brands, including Rustlers, Big Al's and John Stone.

Are you a passionate quality professional looking to make a real impact in a fast‑paced food production environment? We have an exciting opportunity for a Quality Manager to join our dynamic technical team in Athleague, where you’ll play a key role in ensuring our products meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Champion and maintain compliance with regulatory, BRC, TFMS, MPQAS, and customer standards
• Support and enhance the Food Safety Management System, ensuring its ongoing effectiveness
• Manage and maintain customer product specifications, including via Kepak’s specification system
• Collaborate with commercial, sales, and production teams in the development of new product specifications (NLAF)
• Lead and support investigations into customer complaints, ensuring robust root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective actions (CAPA)
• Drive excellence in handling non‑conformances, both internal and external
• Prepare for and support customer, regulatory, and accreditation audits—ensuring the site is always audit‑ready
• Work closely with DAFM representatives, attending weekly meetings and resolving any issues promptly
• Support the traceability programme, ensuring timely and accurate responses to customer requests
• Monitor and report on customer KPIs, driving corrective actions where needed
• Contribute to continuous improvement projects across the site
• Support, guide, and mentor members of the Technical and QC team

What we need from you?

• Qualification in Agri Science, Food Science, Food Technology, or related discipline
• Experience in a similar role and People Management experience required
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, BRCGS, GMP, TACCP, VACCP, and EU food safety regulations
• Experience in managing audits and liaising with external stakeholders
• Proven track record in food safety compliance and quality systems management
• Knowledge of animal welfare standards a distinct advantage
• Level 6 QQI Advanced HACCP certification an advantage

What can we offer you?

• Company Pension
• Paid Maternity Leave
• Further Education support - You’ll have clear pathways for advancement, supported by continuous professional development and a range of learning opportunities
• Subsidized Canteen
• Refer a Friend Scheme - Earn up to Get up to €500 for successfully referring a friend or family member to Kepak Group.
• Bike to Work Scheme - Purchase a bike and safety equipment through a salary sacrifice scheme which reduces your taxable income – meaning you pay less tax!
• Long Service Awards - We recognise, acknowledge and award the dedication and valuable contribution of long serving employees

#IND