Senior Production Manager

Kerry; Carrigaline; On-site; EUR 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Kerry in Carrigaline is looking for a Senior Production Manager to oversee production operations, ensuring safety and quality standards are met while driving operational performance and team development.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record in managing large teams and experience in a fast-paced manufacturing setting, especially within food, chemical, or pharmaceutical fields. Key responsibilities include leading production efficiency initiatives and fostering a collaborative culture.

Kerry offers a dynamic workplace focusing on sustainable nutrition and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of leading large teams in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Experience of Biotechnology/Fermentation is highly desirable, with 5-10 years in industry.
• Strong operational excellence, with knowledge of Lean Processes, Continuous Improvement.

Responsibilities

• Instill a 'Safety First, Quality Always' culture.
• Deliver safety, quality, service, and cost targets.
• Develop operational strategies to achieve site goals.

Skills

Leadership

Team Motivation

Continuous Improvement

Problem Solving

Health & Safety Compliance

Job description

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

About the Role

We are currently recruiting for a Senior Production Manager to join the Senior Leadership Team at our production facility in Carrigaline. The successful candidate will assume responsibility for all of our production operations on site and will be accountable for all staff in the production unit e.g. Fermentation upstream, downstream, Powder blending/Spray drying and Liquid formulation, managing Toll producers. You will play a key role in taking the site to the next level with a focus on driving performance through key metrics associated with H&S, Quality, Cost control, process improvements and developing talent. We are looking for an accomplished and ambitious manufacturing professional who is keen to progress their career.

Key Responsibilities

• Instilling a ‘Safety First, Quality Always’ approach and creating a high-performance culture where continuous improvement is embraced.
• Delivery of safety, quality, service, cost and sustainability targets at site.
• Achieving site organisational health targets (leadership, simplification, career development).
• Ensuring site-level productivity, asset management, performance and efficiencies are in line with business terms.
• Developing and implementing a site operational strategy to meet the goals of the site and overall business strategy.
• Working with and through direct reports to promote a collaborative and positive working environment where all employees focus on achieving production, quality, and safety targets and standards.
• Applying robust people management processes to manage grievances, absence, poor performance, and non‑conformance within the manufacturing team.
• Managing and owning total cost of conversion on site, focusing on systems and operational activity standardisation and improvement.
• Analyzing production performance data to identify performance gaps, trends and improvement opportunities.
• Managing internal and external audits, and non-standard investigations (where applicable).
• Assisting and managing the delivery of key projects that impact operations as part of a wider project team.
• Identifying the root cause of non-conformances within the area and owning the issues raised until final resolution and effective close‑out.
• Leading and implementing cost‑saving improvement measures in line with the site and business strategy including optimised ways of working and staff optimisation.
• Leading and developing talent management and succession planning and implementing training development plans as required.
• Liaising with other production facilities across the Enzyme pillar to implement best practice and shared learning.

Qualifications and Skills

• Proven track record of leading and motivating large teams to succeed by utilising appropriate management styles, leading by example, setting objectives and defining responsibilities to give a clear sense of direction and purpose.
• Passionate about managing performance, leading and developing people.
• Similar experience as manufacturing or operations manager within a high-volume, high-pace manufacturing environment, preferably food, chemical or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Experience of Biotechnology/Fermentation is highly desirable. 5-10 years experience.
• Strong track record of operational excellence including Lean Processes, Continuous Improvement, 5S etc.
• Highly organised and analytical with a pragmatic approach to problem‑solving.
• Experience and knowledge of Health & Safety legislation and ideally, food safety standards.
• Excellent communication skills with a positive ‘can‑do’ attitude and the ability to positively champion change.
• Demonstrate a good Health and Safety ethos.
• Good team‑working and communication skills.
• Self‑motivator and good organisational skills.
• Must have a strong leadership background, and the ability to take initiative and make decisions in a timely manner.
• Strict attention to detail while completing daily tasks.