Production Stream Manager

The Production Stream Manager is responsible for leading a key manufacturing stream to deliver safe, efficient and reliable production. This role will also support with delivering the overall operational strategy for the site. This role also provides day to day leadership to Group Leaders to drive performance, compliance and continuous improvement across the production stream. This role will involve occasional travel to our UK and Ireland sites.

What will I be doing?

• Safety & Compliance
  • Ensure full compliance with site Health & Safety policies and legal standards
  • Maintain and promote a safety-first mindset
  • Ensure production activities comply with food safety standards (HACCP, BRC)
  • Support internal and external audits
• Operational Performance
  • Oversee daily operations of the manufacturing stream to deliver the production plan and achieve all KPI targets (OEE, yield, downtime, waste)
  • Lead daily performance reviews and drive actions from OEE and loss analysis meetings
  • Ensure effective use of labour, materials and equipment
  • Resolve issues quickly to minimise downtime and protect customer service levels
• Quality & Food Safety
  • Lead adherence to SOPs, CCPs and quality procedures, ensuring all documents are kept current, relevant and aligned with best practice
  • Support investigations into quality deviations and implement corrective actions
  • Ensure hygiene and sanitation routines are completed and verified
• People Leadership
  • Lead, coach and develop Group Leaders to build capability
  • Conduct performance reviews, training plans and succession planning
  • Promote positive team engagement
• Continuous Improvement
  • Lead CI initiatives using lean tools (5S, RCA, Kaizen, SMED)
  • Identify and deliver cost saving and efficiency improvement opportunities
  • Ensure all SOPs, training documents and records are accurate and current
• Cross Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with Planning, Engineering, Technical and NPI teams
  • Support new product innovations and process changes
  • Align daily production plans with Supply Chain

What do I need to be successful?

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.

These include

• Essential
  • Experience in a food or FMCG manufacturing environment
  • Proven leadership of teams in an operational setting
  • Strong understanding of OEE, lean tools and performance management
  • Knowledge of HACCP, food safety and GMP requirements
  • Effective communicator with strong problem-solving skills
• Desirable
  • IOSH Managing Safely (or equivalent)
  • Experience of leading CI or lean projects
  • IT literacy (ERP systems, Microsoft Office)

What will I get in return?

At Kerry Dairy Ireland, we believe in giving talented, curious people the opportunity to make a difference. We work as a team, searching for the best ways to inspire food and nourish life. We are a community of innovators, working across disciplines to solve global food challenges with a fresh approach. We want you to achieve whatever you put your mind to.

We also offer:

• 25 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays)
• Health Care
• Matched pension scheme
• Benefits platform offering discounts and cashback on major retailers.

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.

In Kerry Dairy Ireland we benefit from the knowledge of our colleagues who bring a diverse range of cultures, backgrounds, lifestyles and experiences. One team fostering an inclusive culture that, above all, inspires food and nourishes life. One culture where everyone brings their unique perspectives and experiences to help make us better, together. 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.

Beware of scams online or from individuals claiming to represent us. A Kerry Dairy Ireland (KDI) employee will not solicit candidates through a non-KDI email address or phone number. In addition, KDI 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). KDI 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 KDI will be from official firm accounts bearing the KDI name.

Please note we do not accept CVs or candidate profiles from recruitment agencies where Kerry Dairy Ireland 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 Dairy Ireland Hiring Managers.