Requisition ID: 63914
Position Type: FT Permanent
Workplace Arrangement:

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.

Our Safety purpose: “we work together in a caring culture where everybody goes home safe every day”. We are committed to providing a safe working environment and ensuring that all safety protocols are strictly followed. Join us in creating a workplace where safety is everyone's responsibility.

About the role

We are currently recruiting an Upstream Process Specialist to join the Process Technology team at our enzyme production facility in Carrigaline. The site is part of Kerry’s Enzyme Pillar, which delivers innovative enzymatic solutions across a wide range of end‑user applications and markets. Aligned with key industry trends such as nutrition, clean label, sustainability, and food safety, the Enzyme Pillar leverages a strong portfolio of advanced technologies serving the food, animal nutrition, biotechnology, fermentation, and pharmaceutical sectors. Our customers partner with Kerry for our innovation, technical expertise, and integrated solutions.

Within this context, the Process Technology team plays a critical role in driving operational performance and efficiency. The team supports manufacturing through technical investigations, process evaluations, and pilot‑scale upstream and downstream development studies to assess and enhance process quality and performance. Reporting to the Process Technology Manager, the successful candidate will contribute to the delivery of projects within agreed timelines, scope, and budget, while working closely with cross‑functional stakeholders.

This is a permanent, onsite and full-time position.

Key responsibilities

Supporting scientific investigations related to upstream unit operations of enzyme manufacturing processes, specifically microbial fermentation.
Managing and developing a small team consisting of 1 Analyst and 1 Process Technology Intern, providing technical guidance, objective setting, and ongoing performance support.
Working closely with technologists and production staff to ensure scientific investigations are planned, coordinated cross‑functionally, and executed effectively.
Coordinating with project leads and the R&D department to ensure new fermentation processes are successfully scaled up at the Carrigaline site.
Improving upstream process efficiency through the application of scientific and data‑driven tools.
Reporting feedback and generating monthly and annual yield reports for fermentation, liquids, and powders.Liaising with site functions — Logistics, Planning, QA, QC, Operations, and Regulatory Affairs — to support process transfer and ongoing operations at the Carrigaline site.
Leading major process investigations as required and supporting the implementation of CAPAs, including providing technical training on process and technology areas as needed.
Leading optimization initiatives for key upstream parameters such as media and feed strategies, microbial culture scale‑up, and primary recovery processes.
Interacting with external Contract Manufacturing Organization (CMO)/Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMOs), vendors, and partners to support technology transfer activities.
Presenting experimental results and new projects at department and cross‑functional meetings.
Serve as Biosafety Officer for Genetically Modified Organisme (GMO) activities, ensuring biosafety compliance and documentation. Full training will be provided; prior knowledge of GM strains would be an advantage
Acting as part of the Laboratory Service team and taking the lead in HACCP review meetings.

Qualifications and skills

Degree in Biosciences, Chemical Engineering or equivalent; equivalent defined as a Biotechnology or Industrial Chemistry Degree with a large element of biotechnology in the curriculum. PhD in related field will be an advantage.
Previous industry experience, ideally gained within Biotechnology/ Food /Pharma manufacturing
Strong background and experience in microbial fermentation process and equipment (Bioreactors, aseptic work practices, and sterilisation)
Interpersonal and facilitation skills necessary to interface with and influence all levels of the organisation with the ability to lead people and multi-disciplinary teams.
Proven problem-solving ability, project management skills, including leading cross functional teams and balancing multiple project assignments.
GMP (Good Manufacturing Practise) work experience and Lean Six Sigma certification would be an advantage.

Beware of scams online or from individuals claiming to represent us. A Kerry employee will not solicit candidates through a non-Kerry email address or phone number. In addition, Kerry does not currently utilise video chat rooms (e.g., Google Hangouts) to conduct interviews. Refuse any request that asks you to provide payment to participate in the hiring process (e.g., purchasing a “starter kit,” investing in training, or something similar). Kerry will not ask you to pay any money at any point in the hiring process with the exception of reimbursable travel expenses. In addition, any payments made by Kerry will be from official firm accounts bearing the Kerry name.

Recruiter: #LI-SR1
Posting Type: LI

Please note: We do not accept CVs or candidate profiles from recruitment agencies where terms of business have not been signed. Additionally, we will not consider or agree to payment of any recruiter fee under these circumstances. This also applies to CVs or candidate profiles sent directly to any Kerry Hiring Managers. In the event that speculative CVs or candidate profiles are submitted by recruitment agencies, we reserve the right to contact these candidates directly and consider them for current or future vacancies without any financial obligation to the recruitment agency.

Upstream Process Specialist

Job Description