Senior Food Safety & Quality Leader – Retail Manufacturing

Kepak Group; Watergrasshill; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus scheme

Company Pension

Subsidised canteen

Further Education support

Cycle to Work Scheme

Long Service Awards

Refer a Friend Scheme

Job summary

Kepak Group in Ireland seeks a Head of Food Safety and Quality to shape and lead the strategy across Meat Division Ireland’s Retail Packing operations, driving continuous improvement, and empowering site teams to deliver exceptional standards.

You will provide strategic and operational leadership across food safety, quality assurance and regulatory compliance, ensuring adherence to HACCP, BRC and GMP across multiple sites. Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration are essential.

Qualifications

• Advanced qualifications in Food Science or Food Technology.
• Lead auditor qualification (BRC, GFSI, ISO 22000) advantageous.
• Professional certifications in quality management (e.g., Six Sigma, ISO 9001) advantageous.
• Proven experience in senior-level food safety and quality management within food manufacturing.
• Understanding of HACCP, BRC standards, GMP and food safety regulations.
• Strong leadership and cross-functional team management.
• Experience with Irish/UK retailers preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across food safety, quality, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement.
• Foster a safety-first culture and ensure adherence to health and safety regulations.
• Lead audits and manage Food Safety and Quality Management Systems (QMS).
• Collaborate with operations, engineering and IT to enhance food safety processes.
• Engage with customers, suppliers, auditors and regulators to uphold Kepak’s reputation.
• Drive continuous improvement and risk management across retail manufacturing sites.
• Develop and communicate clear expectations and empower teams.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Regulatory compliance

Quality management

GMP/HACCP knowledge

People management

Education

Advanced qualifications in Food Science

Advanced qualifications in Food Technology

Job description

Kepak Group in Ireland seeks a Head of Food Safety and Quality to shape and lead the strategy across Meat Division Ireland’s Retail Packing operations, driving continuous improvement, and empowering site teams to deliver exceptional standards.

You will provide strategic and operational leadership across food safety, quality assurance and regulatory compliance, ensuring adherence to HACCP, BRC and GMP across multiple sites. Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration are essential.