WPI Technical Manager 

About Tirlán 

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

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

We nurture a talented team across Ireland, the US, MEA and China, delivering annual revenues of over €3 billion, and over 2,300 people to manage our network of 11 processing plants and 52 agri branches. Our purpose is to nourish the world, while safeguarding our environment for future generations.

Role Profile: 

This role is in based in Whey Plant Ballyragget and will report to the Whey Membranes Production Manager. The role of the WPI Technical Manager will be to oversee the introduction, optimisation, and continued control of 4 new value-add product streams associated with Tirlán’s investment in value-add whey processing & the diversification or our current WPI portfolio.

This role is critical to ensuring that new production capabilities are implemented efficiently, safely, and in line with quality, regulatory, and commercial requirements, while meeting increasing customer demand. This role will initially play a key part in delivering Operational Readiness Program strategy for Tirlan whey processing investment project.

Key Responsibilities

• Promote & implement Best Practice Health & Safety policies and procedures
• Adherence to product safety and legality standards, ensure 100% quality product
• Leading the technical implementation of new product processes
• Managing process scale-up from commissioning to full production via Operational Readiness program (ORP)
• Liaising with project management, engineering, and operations teams
• Ensuring compliance with regulatory and internal QA standards
• Defining process parameters, SOPs, and control strategies
• Supporting equipment selection and process validation
• Delivering process robustness and stability
• Driving continuous improvement and cost optimisation initiatives
• Acting as the primary technical authority for new product streams
• Identify and implement process improvements that can deliver maximum benefits to the business using lean manufacturing principles, in line with our Business Excellence approach. Actively identify and participate in activities/projects focusing on innovation and improvement in production methods/processes
• Manage projects as required
• Act as an effective communicator and implementer of change within the plant
• Management reporting and meetings 

Key Requirements:

• 2 – 3 years experience in a production environment within a processing industry
• Ability to work to tight deadlines with excellent planning/scheduling skills
• Aptitude for operational processes, working with cross- functional teams, Lean and continuous improvement
• Demonstrate high technical ability and attention to detail to do the job at a high level of accomplishment
• Computer literate (Microsoft Office suite & a working knowledge of SAP). Working knowledge of IQS/MES an advantage
• Strong communications with multi-functional  stakeholders
• Knowledge of Dairy products, processes and recipes an advantage
• Possesses motivational skills oriented towards encouraging people’s best performance possible
• Customer orientation and business awareness
• Information handling skills 

Other

• Motivated and self-driven
• Excellent Influencing skills
• Proactive and innovative problem-solving skills with good analytical and IT skills 

About us

Through our expertise in research and development, customer insights, food safety and state-of-the-art manufacturing we bring innovative food and nutrition solutions to a global market.  Our new and vibrant headquarters in Kilkenny City operates as a collaboration hub where multi-functional teams come together in a hybrid work environment.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
We believe in the value of difference. We know that different perspectives, life experience and backgrounds can drive innovation and deliver growth.

We welcome people from all walks of life without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, or disability status. 

Join our Talent Pool

Considering a new career in Tirlán but this isn’t the role for you? Join our talent community and sign up for job notifications at www.tirlan.com/careers

Tirlán is a Values Based Organisation