Shift Manager

Kinisla Group; Cork; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Health care

Matched pension scheme

Benefits platform with discounts

Job summary

Kinisla is seeking a Shift Production Manager for their Charleville facility in Ireland. You will lead the shift production operations, oversee a fast-paced, GMP environment, and drive continuous improvement across safety, quality and efficiency.

This 12-hour rotating shift role involves day and night coverage with responsibilities spanning team leadership, performance management, and cross-functional coordination to meet customer orders on time and at target costs.

Qualifications

• Experience leading large teams in a high-volume GMP manufacturing environment.
• Degree in Food Science or related discipline desirable.
• Strong IT skills including SAP and Lean methodologies.
• Knowledge of Health & Safety legislation and food safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate a large shift team and manage day-to-day production operations.
• Instil a Safety First, Quality Always approach and drive continuous improvement.
• Conduct 1-2-1s, appraisals, coaching, and manage absence and performance.
• Ensure safety, quality, and auditory standards are met and monitored.
• Drive cost control in output, quality, yield, labour, and waste.
• Coordinate with other functions to meet production planning and delivery targets.
• Apply lean techniques to exceed productivity, efficiency and quality goals.
• Report and address plant or machinery breakdowns with maintenance.
• Ensure internal delivery processes support dispatch windows.
• Lead follow-up and lessons learned after customer concerns.
• Identify root causes and implement robust countermeasures.

Skills

Team leadership

Safety culture

Continuous improvement

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Education

Food Science degree (desirable)

Tools

SAP

MS Office

Lean processes

Job description

About the role

We are looking for a Shift Production Manager to join the team at our Charleville Production facility and manage the shift production operations. At this strategically important site in we produce skimmed milk powder for the infant and nutritional sector, functional dairy ingredients for the confectionary industry and a range of cheese powders for the savoury snack market.

Description

We are looking for a Shift Production Manager to join the team at our Charleville Production facility and manage the shift production operations. At this strategically important site in we produce skimmed milk powder for the infant and nutritional sector, functional dairy ingredients for the confectionary industry and a range of cheese powders for the savoury snack market.

In addition, the factory produces a range of tailor-made cheese solution products for customers across Europe.

This is a fast-paced role which would be well suited to someone who enjoys day to day team management and are now looking to take on more responsibility and the opportunity to progress their career.

This is a shift-based role, covering a rotating pattern of 12-hour day and night shifts.

What will I be doing?

• Lead, manage and motivate a team of people, promoting a collaborative and positive working environment.
• Instil a ‘Safety First, Quality Always’ approach and creating a high-performance culture where continuous improvement is embraced.
• Provide clear direction and undertaking all management responsibility for team members; 1-2-1’s, conducting appraisals, coaching, managing absence and poor performance / non-conformity.
• Ensure that Key Performance measures of safety, quality and auditory standards and are always monitored and achieved.
• Drive cost control measures in output, quality, yield, labour utilisation, and waste.
• Positively communicate and coordinate with other functions to progress issues concerning production planning, processes, procedures or equipment to ensure delivery of all customer orders to time, quality and cost specifications.
• Through the utilisation of lean manufacturing techniques, strive to exceed the company targets in productivity, efficiency and quality on a continuous basis.
• Report and act upon plant or machinery breakdowns with maintenance technicians.
• Ensure that internal delivery processes are adhered to support dispatch time windows.
• Lead the follow-up and lessons learned process when customers raise concerns.
• Identify and eliminate root cause using robust countermeasures.
• Sustain the corrective actions to eliminate repeat issues.

What do I need to be successful?

• 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, developing and ultimately empowering people.
• Significant experience within a high-volume, high pace GMP manufacturing environment, preferably food manufacturing.
• A degree in Food Science or related discipline is desirable but not essential.
• Strong IT Systems and methodology experience (SAP, MS Office packages, Lean Processes, Continuous Improvement 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 interpersonal, presentation and communication skills.

In Kinisla we understand that people have very different career trajectories and experiences. In order to be successful in this role we would be looking for the right competencies and aptitudes as well as your proven track record of success in a similar role and environment.

What will I get in return?

At Kinisla, we believe in giving talented, curious people the opportunity to make a difference. We work as a team, searching for the best ways to inspire food and nourish life. We are a community of innovators, working across disciplines to solve global food challenges with a fresh approach. We want you to achieve whatever you put your mind to.

We Also Offer

• 25 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays)
• Health Care
• Matched pension scheme
• Benefits platform offering discounts and cashback on major retailers.

About Kinisla

Kinisla is a vertically integrated farm-to-fork business with a very substantial consumer foods presence and a leading nutritional and dairy ingredients division, delivering high-quality dairy solutions with a focus on sustainability and innovation. From partnering with local family farms to producing world-class dairy products, we ensure every step of our value chain reflects our commitment to excellence.

With over 50 years’ experience in milk processing, dairy and nutritional technology advancement, and product innovation, we are a key stakeholder in the global food industry and creators of a strong portfolio of market leading dairy brands including Cheestrings, Charleville and Coleraine Cheese, Dairygold, Golden Cow and our new SMUG range. Our from food, for food culture and deep-rooted connection to our 2,800 milk suppliers differentiates our business and offers captivating opportunities for our customers and consumers.

Our dairy comes from some of the world’s richest grazing land and is produced by a network of Irish family farms that have one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world. Through a combination of expertise, innovation, and sustainability, Kinisla is proud to shape the future of dairy while meeting the diverse needs of our farmers, customers, and communities.

Headquartered in Tralee, Co. Kerry, we operate multiple manufacturing facilities in the southwest of Ireland, including Listowel, Charleville, Newmarket, and Farranfore. Additionally, we manage 29 Farm & Home stores throughout the region, ensuring comprehensive coverage and service. In Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom, our presence extends to key locations in Portadown, Coleraine, and Ossett.

Globally, Kinisla employs over 1,600 dedicated professionals across Ireland, Northern Ireland, the UK, USA, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and China. In 2024, we achieved a turnover of approximately €1.3 billion, reflecting our commitment to excellence and growth.

Our recruitment, selection and assessment process are based on the skills and competencies of the specific roles and based entirely on merit. We are committed to and value Diversity and Inclusion in all recruitment processes within Kinisla and do not discriminate based on gender, race, class, economic status, ethnic background, sexual orientation, age, political beliefs, veteran status, marital status or any other protected characteristic.

In Kinisla we benefit from the knowledge of our colleagues who bring a diverse range of cultures, backgrounds, lifestyles and experiences. One team fostering an inclusive culture that, above all, inspires food and nourishes life. One culture where everyone brings their unique perspectives and experiences to help make us better, together. We are committed to nurturing an environment of positivity and inclusiveness, where everyone can be at their best, both personally and professionally.