Job Title: Quality Assurance Manager
Function: Technical
Reports to: Technical Manager
Location: Mitchelstown, Co Cork
Ornua is a leading dairy co‑operative which sells premium dairy products globally on behalf of its Member Co‑operatives, Ireland’s dairy processors and, in turn, Irish dairy farmers. Ornua has revenues of €3.4 billion and is supported by a global team of approximately 2,800 employees. The Group operates as a commercial organisation across 10 business units, including 12 production facilities located in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa. The commercial organisation is responsible for the marketing and sales of Ornua’s consumer brands including Ireland’s most successful food export: Kerrygold. Consumer markets are served by production facilities in Ireland, Germany and the UK and by in‑market Sales & Marketing Teams in Asia, Germany, Ireland, MEA, Poland, Spain, rest of Europe and North and Latin America. It also manages the procurement of Irish and non‑Irish dairy products, the sale of dairy ingredients to food manufacturing and foodservice customers globally, and the implementation of de‑risking and trading strategies to manage market volatility.
The Role
The QA Manager will have responsibility for the daily implementation and monitoring of the Kerrygold Park (KGP) Food Safety and Quality Management systems (FSQMS) in the factory. The role includes leading and developing the Quality Assurance team that operates 24/7 and requires an element of on‑call duties. This role demands a practical, hands‑on approach with a high degree of flexibility and adaptability to ensure success.
Key Areas of Responsibility
Lead QA team including resource management, coaching and succession planning.
Ensure compliance with relevant standards such as BRC, Kosher, Halal and legislative and other customer specific requirements.
Serve as site lead for site hygiene and GMP standards.
Drive a continuous improvement agenda to foster a culture of right‑first‑time and audit readiness.
Implement HACCP and prerequisite programs.
Resolve factory and supplier non‑conformance, embedding long‑term preventive measures and ensuring rapid inspection and resolution via risk assessment of affected stock/materials.
Develop and execute site GMP audits and schedules.
Commit to fostering a strong Health and Safety culture in all activities.
Manage floor specifications.
Maintain internal traceability systems and records.
Lead traceability exercises for third‑party audits.
Monitor receipt of key raw materials.
Support new product development projects and trials.
Lead change management for improvement projects across the site.
Handle internal stock management of Quality Hold items.
Lead quality projects as required.
Key Skills / Attributes
Desire to progress and develop a career in Quality Management.
Experience as a Quality lead in a food processing environment operating to GFSI standards, ideally BRC.
Third‑level qualification in Food Science / Quality disciplines.
3–4 years in a manufacturing environment.
Experience in leading, coaching and developing teams (desirable).
Strong communication, interpersonal, organisational and administrative skills.
Flexible to work outside office hours if required to manage a team on shift rotation.
Committed attitude, initiative, decision‑making ability.
Problem‑solving skills; disciplined in collecting information, ascertaining root cause and developing practical solutions.
Ability to work to deadlines under pressure with a can‑do attitude.
Good teamwork skills; integrates well with operations teams.
IT literate with strong Word, Excel and database skills.
HACCP, PCQI or similar trained (desirable).
Trained Auditor (desirable).
BRC (or Equivalent) and Retail Standards Experience (Essential).
Ornua Core Competencies
Expertise: Applies effective professional skill, analysis, decision making, planning and reviewing for projects that involve others.
Forward‑Looking: Helps others accept change, implements change, and looks ahead to anticipate change.
Communicative: Applies advanced communication skills, considering impact on the audience and desired outcomes.
Working Together: Ensures own team effectiveness; facilitates and leads cross‑functional working.
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