Overview
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About the role: We have a great opportunity for a Quality Assurance Manager to join us at our site in Charleville. The QA Manager provides site leadership to lead and manage the quality assurance function, ensuring that all dairy products meet regulatory standards, customer requirements, and company quality objectives. Responsible for implementing and maintaining quality systems, food safety programs, and continuous improvement initiatives. This is a Monday – Friday role, with the requirement to work 1 in 6 weekends. Due to the location, applicants must be able to drive and have their own transport to site.
About Kerry Dairy Ireland: Kerry Dairy Ireland is a vertically integrated farm-to-fork business with a substantial consumer foods presence and a leading nutritional and dairy ingredients division, delivering high-quality dairy solutions with a focus on sustainability and innovation. Headquartered in Tralee, Co. Kerry, we operate multiple manufacturing facilities in the southwest of Ireland and manage 29 Farm & Home stores. Globally, Kerry Dairy Ireland employs over 1,600 professionals, with a turnover of approximately €1.3 billion in 2024.
Responsibilities
* Develop, implement, and maintain quality management systems (QMS) in line with ISO, HACCP, FSSC 22000, or other relevant standards.
* Ensure compliance with local and international food safety regulations and statutory requirements (FDA, FSSAI, EU, etc.).
* Conduct regular audits (internal, supplier, and third-party) and implement corrective actions.
* Oversee the implementation of GMP, GHP, and SSOP.
* Ensure effective monitoring of Critical Control Points (CCPs) in production processes.
* Lead food safety team meetings and coordinate annual reviews of HACCP plans.
* Establish and monitor specifications for raw materials, in-process, and finished products.
* Lead sensory evaluations, shelf-life studies, and product release decisions.
* Investigate and resolve customer complaints and implement preventive measures.
* Lead, train, and develop QA/QC teams to maintain high standards of food safety and product quality.
* Conduct regular training sessions on quality standards, hygiene, and food safety practices for production and warehouse teams.
* Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defects, wastage, and customer complaints.
* Analyze quality data, prepare reports for management, and propose action plans to meet quality KPIs.
* Collaborate with R&D, Production, and Supply Chain to ensure smooth new product development (NPD) and process validation.
* Maintain all quality-related documentation as per regulatory and certification body requirements.
* Ensure timely preparation and submission of reports, certificates of analysis (COAs), and compliance records.
What you can bring to the role
* A Masters degree or equivalent in food science, dairy or microbiology.
* Previous experience within a similar role, ideally within the dairy industry; experience in food manufacturing is beneficial.
* Strong knowledge of dairy processing, microbiology, and food safety regulations.
* Expertise in HACCP, ISO 22000/FSSC 22000, and other food safety standards.
* Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
* Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
* Ability to handle audits and inspections effectively.
* Experience with the Department of Agriculture.
* GMP requirements knowledge.
What We Can Offer
* 25 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays)
* Hybrid working
* Health Care
* Matched pension scheme
* Benefits platform offering discounts and cashback on major retailers
Get in touch today!
In Kerry Dairy Ireland we benefit from the knowledge of our colleagues who bring a diverse range of cultures, backgrounds, lifestyles and experiences. We are committed to nurturing an environment of positivity and inclusiveness, where everyone can be at their best, both personally and professionally.
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 Kerry 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.
Kerry is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We do not accept CVs or candidate profiles from recruitment agencies without signed terms. We will not consider or agree to payment of any recruiter fee under these circumstances.
Seniority level
* Not Applicable
Employment type
* Full-time
Job function
* Quality Assurance
* Industries: Food and Beverage Services, Food and Beverage Manufacturing, and Manufacturing
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