CI Lead

About the role

We have a great opportunity for a CI Lead to join us, at our Dairy Consumer Foods site in Ossett.

Reporting to the Site Manager, the role of Continuous Improvement (CI) Lead is to be the CI champion for the plant. You will monitor and improve organisational processes with the aim of making them as efficient as possible.

This is a Monday – Friday role, with some occasional requirement to work outside these hours.

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.

What you'll be doing

• Work collaboratively with all departments and the Plant Leadership Team and our external partner in the diagnostics, future state design work and implementation of the Plant Programme.
• Assist in the diagnostic analysis
• Work collaboratively with the CI Manager, Plant Leadership Team and Teams to surface improvement opportunities
• Define the initiatives required to achieve the future state target across the Operating, Management & People Systems
• Create implementation plans to support on time delivery of these initiatives
• Key role in being an ambassador for Continuous Improvement - coaching, mentoring and influencing at all levels to affect the required continuous improvement culture.
• Support colleagues as they move through the change curve and align with the Plant Leadership Team on how best to support our people through the change
• Act as a key mentor, influencer and supporter to the Plant Leadership Team
• Facilitate the education of the team in the principles, philosophies and tools of continuous improvement
• Organize training programs that foster cross-functional deployment of continuous improvement and develop capability
• Collaborate with counterparts within and outside the regions to ensure consistency among processes and procedures.
• Ensure each team is using a standardised set of key performance indicators and that targets can be achieved through a rigorous performance management system.
• Support the implementation of creating a Continuous Improvement culture whereby our colleagues feel empowered and supported to deliver on the targets identified.
• Develop and implement an effective continuous improvement strategy for the plant through a sustainable delivery model
• Ensure the continuous improvement strategy is aligned to the overall business strategy with full alignment and support from the Plant Leadership Teams and key stakeholders.
• Support day-to-day prioritisation, decision making and escalation.
• Ensure new standards are confirmed, documented, trained and sustained as part of the continuous improvement governance
• Continually review and adjust the strategy in line with internal and external changes

What you can bring to the role

• Proven experience of championing continuous improvement within a manufacturing environment – experience within food manufacturing would be beneficial but not a necessity.
• The ability to work and communicate with all functions and levels within the business, conversing knowledgably to positively influence the
• Ability to see the ‘bigger picture’ and understand how to approach creating a continuous improvement strategy
• Can challenge the status quo asking challenging questions where appropriate.
• Have proven project management experience with practical knowledge of PM tools and techniques to support delivery.
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.

What we can offer

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)
• 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. 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.