About KerryKerry Dairy Ireland 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.Ready to make your application Please do read through the description at least once before clicking on Apply.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 worlds 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, Kerry Dairy Ireland 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, Kerry Dairy Ireland 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.About the roleAs the NPI Lead in Portadown for Kerry Dairy Ireland, you will be responsible for overseeing the introduction of new products and ensuring that these products meet the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and innovation.Your role will involve close collaboration with various departments, including marketing, operations, and commercial teams, as well as external suppliers and agencies. You will play a critical role in maintaining the company's reputation for excellence and driving forward its strategic goals.The successful candidate will carry out factory trials on cheese and cheese snacking products in the factory, establishing the process control parameters and validation of product standards to ensure that the operations team to manufacture products with consistent product designKey responsibilitiesManagement of the NPI Process, working cross functionally as part of the R&D team, ensuring a standardised approach to New Product IntroductionCommunicate the product quality standards as part of the NPI process and provide training to facilitate understanding and effective implementationOrganise and co-ordinate new packaging trials and ensure that outcome if effectively communicated to relevant stakeholders.Own activities related with introduction of new products into the factory using various systemsWork cross functionally with internal teams, supplier, customers, brand and marketingCollaborate with outside agencies and suppliers as appropriate, co-ordinate and ensure the completion of relevant activities required as part of the artwork approval processSupport the delivery of process and profit improvement projects at site level, ensuring changes are introduced in accordance with defined capabilities, ensuring product quality attributes are preserved and Food safety and legal requirements are metBuild relationships with marketing, operations and commercials and ensure customer care and adherence to our Purpose, Dairy Strategy, vison and ValueMaintain knowledge of market trends, restrictions, regulations, customer requirements and processesPresentation of samples and concepts to internal and external stakeholdersQualifications and skillsBSc in food Science or equivalentExperience in food IndustryExperience in artwork approval, packaging development desirableProject management and organisational skills: demonstrate flexibility and adaptabilityDriven to overcome challenges and develop timely solutionsNumerical ability to record and analyse key process dataHighly organised multi-tasker, able to interpret data from multiple sourcesAttention to detail with a structured approachDisplays tenacity. Goes that extra mile to achieve results and deliver excellent serviceAble to play a key role as a high performing teamExcellent communication skills
Job Title
NPI Lead