Senior Quality Assurance Officer

<h2><b>About Kerry</b></h2> <p> </p> <p>Kerry Group’s UK &amp; Ireland dairy related business includes Dairy Ingredients, Dairy Nutritional Ingredients, Dairy Consumer Foods, and Agribusiness. With a revenue in excess of €1bn per year, it is one of the world’s leading dairy businesses. With our strong dairy heritage and deep-rooted connection to our 3,000 milk suppliers, right through to our portfolio of innovative and high-quality brands, the dairy business has a unique and compelling proposition for both consumers and our customers. <br/>  <br/> Our dairy business has a diversified portfolio of dairy, nutritional ingredients and market leading dairy brands and its vertically integrated dairy processing ensures the highest quality, sustainably produced 1.2bn litres of milk for our dairy, nutritional ingredients, and consumer foods business – a key consideration among some of our largest customers across the globe.  <br/>  <br/> We have an unrivalled dairy consumer brands portfolio coupled with a track record in innovation underpinned by technology and science. We manufacture and market our own leading butter, dairy, and plant spreads brands: Dairygold, Low Low, Pure and Golden Cow. We are the largest supplier of Private Label dairy spreads, supplying all major retailers in Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe. Our cheese brands compete in children’s cheese snacks (Attack-a-Snak), natural cheese (block, slices and grated), and in processed cheese segments and our leading cheese brands include Strings &amp; Things, Coleraine, and Charleville Cheese. Through our multi-geographical presence (UK, Ireland, and Western Europe) we have a deep consumer insight which is a key component of the business. <br/>  </p> <h2><b>About the role</b></h2> <p> </p> <p>Here at Kerry, we are currently recruiting for a full time, permanent Senior role as Quality Assurance Officer based onsite in Listowel, Co. Kerry. Our Listowel site produces Primary Dairy and nutritional ingredients such as Butter, Casein, Whey, Hydrolysed Milk proteins etc.</p> <p> </p> <p>This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced QA to join a Global, multifaceted business, at the forefront of our 'Safety First, Quality Always' ethos. </p> <p><br/> To be successful you will have solid knowledge of Quality and Compliance through previous employment and / or education, a strong communicator and be able to work in a fast paced environment. </p> <h2><b>Key responsibilities</b></h2> <p> </p> <ul> <li>Leading the Compliance Audit team to ensure they are engaged and high performing with a focus on problem solving and team work.</li> <li>The successful individual will build trust through effective leadership and the skilled application of people management processes and open 2-way communications.</li> <li>Responsible for measuring compliance to defined quality standards.</li> <li>Ensure the continuous improvement (CI) of standards set by facilitating and participating in all relevant CI initiatives.</li> <li>Achieve quality standards and adherence to GMP through management of the Quality Compliance Auditing team and process to deliver agreed product specifications as defined in quality standards and policies.</li> <li>Facilitate the implementation of Quality Standards by ensuring the necessary training and support is made available to the value stream and other functional areas.</li> <li>Empower value stream to undertake quality training activities by providing technical training to Value Steam training personnel.</li> <li>Management of the Factory Audits including Customer and 3rd Party audits.</li> <li>Ensure that the internal Quality audits are carried out to verify compliance against defined standards and codes of practice.</li> <li>Accountable for managing the resolution and close out of issues, incidents which have been identified as part of the audit process.</li> </ul> <h2><b>Qualifications and skills</b></h2> <p> </p> <ul> <li>Completion of a 3rd Level qualification in Science, Food Science, Biochemistry or equivalent.</li> <li>Solid experience in Quality role preferably Food </li> <li>Proficient in the use of MS Office tools.</li> <li>Excellent written, numerical and verbal skills.</li> <li>A demonstrated numerical ability to record, interpret and analyse key process data.</li> <li>Ability to drive continuous improvement and change management initiatives.</li> <li>Excellent interpersonal, communication, coaching and conflict management skills.<br/>  </li> </ul> <h2>What's in it for me?</h2> <p> </p> <ul> <li>Opportunity for career development</li> <li>Matched pension scheme to up to 10%</li> <li>Access to an employee assistance program and employee benefit platform</li> <li>25 days annual leave, plus relevant Irish public holidays</li> <li>Healthcare and Life Assurance policy</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p>In Kerry we benefit from the knowledge of our colleagues who bring a diverse range of cultures, backgrounds, lifestyles and experiences.</p> <p>One team fo