Shift Manager, Butter Plant
Ballyragget, Kilkenny

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

Following the recent successful tender to produce packet butter for Costco, we wish to appoint a Shift Manager within the Butter Plant Team. This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast‑paced, growing department and play a key role in delivering high‑quality production performance.
Reporting to the Butter Plant Manager, the successful candidate will lead the shift team to ensure safe, efficient, and consistent production.

Successful candidate will be required to work shift patterns aligned to the relevant plant which may be days, evenings and nights.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of 5–10 operators on shift, ensuring strong performance and engagement.
• Plan and schedule plant activities to maximise efficiency and meet production targets.
• Ensure hygiene and cleaning standards are maintained in line with company and customer requirements.
• Work closely with the butter management team to identify and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency, quality, and throughput.
• Manage all aspects of health and safety, ensuring compliance with Tirlán standards and promoting a safe working culture.
• Communicate effectively with operators through daily interactions and the 3M process, ensuring clear and timely two‑way information flow.
• Use the business excellence tools to build efficiencies and root cause performance issues.
• Manage the shift roster by reviewing production requirements, holidays, and absenteeism to ensure appropriate staffing levels.
• Identify performance, training, and development needs to support operator capability and overall team performance.
• Address and resolve operational or personnel issues, escalating as appropriate.
• Provide regular feedback on KPI performance and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Carry out any additional duties as required to meet production, quality and customer requirements.
  
  

Experience & Personal Attributes

• Third‑level qualification in a relevant discipline (preferred).
• Previous management or supervisory experience in a production environment is desirable.
• Strong communication, planning, and scheduling skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and support a high‑performing team.
• Energetic, enthusiastic, and highly attentive to detail.
• Ability to perform under pressure in a busy production environment.

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