Are you our missing ingredient?

TECHNIAL MANAGER

Leeds, West Yorkshire, salary (competitive)

39 hours Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm

Dairygold is Ireland’s largest farmer-owned co-operative. Our unique location, referenced as the Golden Vale, is home to nutrient rich pasture lands that stretch across the valleys of Munster, where our farmer shareholders produce quality-assured, naturally sourced raw materials. Combining our deep-rooted farming tradition with our nutritional expertise and technology, we have grown to be a global player that supplies the global market with the highest quality premium cheese and dairy ingredients.

Dairygold processes 1.48 billion litres of milk a year, with an annual turnover of €1.65 billion. The society is structured across three imperative divisions; food ingredients, agri business and retail, that drive and support our farmers and business.

Dairygold Food Ingredients UK is the Number 1 cheese ingredient solutions supplier to the UK’s major food manufacturers, retailers and food service customers. We have achieved rapid growth over the last five years and have ambitious plans for this to continue. ‘AA’ Grade BRC accredited, we’ve invested heavily in our people and recognise that recruiting, retaining and developing talent are critical to our future success.

Our site in Leeds manufactures high quality, functional soft and liquid cheese and our customer base and range of end product applications is growing rapidly.  Our highly automated site has benefited from a multi-million-pound investment programme to support our growth agenda, and to remain at the forefront of a highly competitive and fast-moving market.

Based at Leeds site, the Technical Manager will lead the Technical function within DFI Leeds.  They will facilitate key business decisions at site level and their role will be a core part of both the Technical and site management team.

Key Responsibilities will include:

• Ensure that a documented Quality Management System is in place which reflects the site commitment to Food Safety, Legality and Quality and meets customer and BRC standards. Liaise with regulatory bodies and other outside organisations as required. Maintain a HACCP team and documented HACCP system. Ensure that an internal audit schedule is in place. React to any trends identified through the non-conformance system and ensure rectified. Manage the site laboratory contracts to ensure that the contract meets requirements. Manage expectation of internal and external customers in relation to complaint investigation. Main point of contact for site audits/ visits. Lead site audits/visits from customers and accreditation bodies including site tour and QMS review. Ensure any non-conformances raised are closed out within the required timescales. Build strong relationships with customers including buyers, developers and technical colleagues. Champion and identify opportunities to develop business capability in relation to continuous improvement initiatives. Support Head of Technical to development the strategy for a Quality Culture across site. Manage the Technical team effectively - set objectives and identify training needs

Who Are We Looking For?

Educated to degree level or equivalent in a related discipline such as Food Science, Microbiology or Food Technology and with at least 3 years Technical Management experience in the food industry you will demonstrate a solid understanding of food manufacturing processes and ‘live’ ingredients.  An understanding of dairy science would be ideal with an appreciation of the effects of pasteurisation, homogenisation, incubation & cooling processes on raw materials to assist with the consistent delivery of a 1st class finished product.

The position offers a very competitive basic salary, performance bonus and contributory pension scheme.  Are you a customer and quality focused team player looking for an opportunity to lead a team of like-minded people in a BRC AA Grade, market leading business?  To find out more visit www.dairygoldfoodingredients.com and our Careers page.