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.

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.

About Kerry Dairy Ireland

Kerry 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.

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, 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.

What you'll 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 utilization, 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 you can bring to the role

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 Kerry Dairy Ireland 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.

Shift Manager

Job Description