R&D Pilot Plant Manager

R&D Pilot Plant Manager

About Tirlán

Tirlán, formerly known as Glanbia Ireland, is a world-class food and nutrition co-operative, with a diverse portfolio of quality ingredients, leading consumer and agri brands.

A talented team of over 2,100 people manage Tirlán’s network of 11 production facilities and 52 agri retail outlets serving its communities with annual revenues of over €3 billion expected in 2022. Tirlán’s state-of-the-art headquarters in Kilkenny city and innovation centre in Ballyragget promote innovation, creativity and collaboration. Tirlán is committed to sustainability throughout the organisation through its comprehensive Living Proof programme, and the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) contained within it. For more information visit www.tirlan.com

Role Profile

The Tirlán Pilot Plant is a state-of-the-art facility containing a full drying plant, UHT line, membrane plants and other smaller ancillary equipment for conducting R&D trials on dairy and plant-based consumer and ingredient products. Reporting to the Head of R&D Technical Operations, this position will suit an organised and energetic individual who is highly motivated. An individual with a technical background including process development, production, or maintenance would be suited. An in-depth knowledge of Spray Drying, Evaporation, UHT treatment, and food processing equipment will be required to manage day to day activities. This individual must have the ability to work across all levels of the business whilst maximising the pilot plant utilisation. Must be willing to conduct the trials on occasion and be hands on whist being on site daily supporting the pilot plant operations team.

Key Responsibilities

• Co-ordinate in-house expertise to provide technical advice, support, and guidance in areas such as process and technology, site utilities, service, and maintenance;
• Team development – build, manage and develop a small team of multi-skilled process technicians/technologists;
• Ensuring training requirements are met using LIMS;
• Maintaining H&S standards - ensure the site's compliance to BRG site H&S standards, quality, and regulatory procedures;
• Services/utilities/effluent management including entire building facilities are included in this role;
• Upkeep of R&D centre & facilities;
• R&D point of contact with the Ballyragget site and wider business;
• Pilot plant facilities and equipment cleaning & maintenance management, including service level agreement management with internal and external personnel;
• Warehouse management and stock control;
• Consumer durables management including sourcing packing for pilot trials;
• Manage Pilot Plant site capability project improvements, upgrades and maintenance schedules using Lean Principals;
• Awareness of visitors to the facility & co-ordination of Pilot Plant tours upon special request;
• Maximise pilot plant utilisation and efficiency and coordinate tasks and duties elsewhere during planned downtime;
• Adhere to Tirlán Values and Coaching Culture, creating positive collaborations with the wider R&D team.

Key Requirements

• A Science, Engineering or Process degree qualification with experience in the dairy or food sector essential;
• Practical exposure and usage of equipment essential;
• 3-5 years’ experience in a similar role or demonstrable experience in a technical, operational or maintenance position;
• Working knowledge of the dairy industry & equipment;
• Experience using Microsoft applications including office, teams, outlook etc.;
• Excellent all-round knowledge, verbal communication, and presentation skills;
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and prioritize work whilst working with your team daily and support pilot activities;
• Ability to make decisions and work independently;
• Strong stakeholder management, planning & organizational skills with attention to detail;
• Deep understanding of process engineering principles and process plant operation;
• Evidence of ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures;
• Strong work ethic.

If you are interested in this position, please apply with an up-to-date resume.

Join our Talent Pool

Considering a new career in Tirlán but this isn’t the role for you?! Then why not register your experience & sign up for career opportunities at www.tirlan.com/careers.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
Tirlán embraces diversity, equal opportunity and inclusion. We are committed to building diverse teams where different perspectives drive innovation and growth. We strive to create an inclusive workplace where people can bring their true self to work and achieve their full potential.

At Tirlán, we celebrate diversity, because we know that our individual strengths make us stronger together. We welcome and encourage interest from a wide variety of candidates, and we will give your application consideration, without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, or disability status. 

At Tirlán our culture will celebrate individuality, knowing that together we are more.

Tirlán owns leading consumer and agri brands such as Avonmore, Kilmeaden Cheese, Millac, Solmiko, Truly Grass Fed, Premier Milk, Wexford, mymilkman.ie and GAIN Animal Nutrition. 

About us:

The farmer-owned co-operative has a first-class track record of success in the global market. Rooted in a rich heritage of family farming and embedded in its communities, Tirlán has evolved to bring the passion of its farmers and their high-quality milk and grains to the international marketplace. Using modern-day technology and applying the best processes to its milk pool of three billion litres and its premium grains portfolio, Tirlán now exports to more than 80 countries.  Its award-winning brands are household names in Ireland, and include Ireland’s number one consumer dairy brand, Avonmore.

The organisation draws on a wealth of experience to deliver exceptional products and tailored nutritional solutions including Kilmeaden, Wexford, Truly Grass Fed, Solmiko, CheddMax and GAIN. Tirlán has a strong market presence in the UK, France, Germany, UAE, the US, North Africa, Japan and China.

Tirlán is a Values Based Organisation - www.tirlan.com