Kepak is a leading food company with manufacturing sites across Ireland and the UK. The Group operates across three divisions: the Foods Division, Meat Division UK, and Meat Division Ireland. Guided by our values—Responsibility, Ambition, Passion for Food, and Teamwork. We are committed to operating as a successful, sustainable, future-ready business that is a great place to work. We supply fresh and value-added meat-based products to retail and foodservice through private label and our own brands, including Rustlers, Big Al's and John Stone.
We are excited to announce a great opportunity for a Technical Manager to lead our Primary operations at our Cork site. In this dynamic role, you will oversee a dedicated quality team and take charge of all food safety and quality processes, ensuring every product exceeds regulatory, customer, and internal standards with an unwavering commitment to food safety excellence. You will work closely with operational and cross-functional teams to foster a culture of compliance throughout the organization, safeguard our brand’s reputation, and consistently deliver top-quality products.
Key Responsibilities:
- Food Safety and Quality Management: Lead the implementation of site food safety and compliance programs to align with HACCP, TACCP, VACCP, BRCGS, and customer standards.
- Food Safety and Quality Compliance: Keep up to date with customer, regulatory, and third-party standards, always ensuring full compliance and readiness for audits
- Animal Welfare and Legal Compliance: Oversee and ensure compliance with animal welfare standards and ethical sourcing policies.
- Food Safety Excellence: Monitor site food safety performance and share insights and trends to identify areas for improvement
- Business Continuity and Risk Management: Proactively identify and mitigate food safety risks across the site, escalating serious issues in a timely manner
- Audits & Inspections: Ensure the site is always audit-ready from a food safety and quality perspective in terms of documentation and record management, and compliance with the standards. Lead preparation and response for customer, third-party, and regulatory audits
- Food Safety Training Compliance: Ensure all team members are trained and competent in food safety and quality procedures
- External Stakeholder Management: Lead engagement at the site on food safety and quality matters with key external stakeholders, including auditors, customers and regulatory bodies and maintain the highest level of professionalism
Requirements
- Qualification in Agri Science, Food Science, Food Technology, or related discipline
- Experience in a similar role and People Management experience required
- Strong knowledge of HACCP, BRCGS, GMP, TACCP, VACCP, and EU food safety regulations
- Experience in managing audits and liaising with external stakeholders
- Proven track record in food safety compliance and quality systems management
- Knowledge of animal welfare standards a distinct advantage
- Level 6 QQI Advanced HACCP certification an advantage
Benefits
- Company Pension
- Paid Maternity Leave
- Subsidized Canteen
- Further Education support - You’ll have clear pathways for advancement, supported by continuous professional development and a range of learning opportunities
- Employee Discount Platform - All Kepak employees are entitled to access to the WrkIt platform, which offers significant discounts and cashback with hundreds of brands.
- Refer a Friend Scheme - Get up to €500 for successfully referring a friend or family member to Kepak Group.
- Bike to Work Scheme - Purchase a bike and safety equipment through a salary sacrifice scheme which reduces your taxable income – meaning you pay less tax!
- Long Service Awards - We recognise, acknowledge and award the dedication and valuable contribution of long serving employees
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