Quality Assurance GL

About the role

Location: Charleville, Cork, Ireland 

Department: Production / Quality

Contract Type: Special‑purpose contract (12‑month cover)

Work Arrangement: Onsite, 5 days per week

Reports To: Quality Manager

Direct Reports: None 

In this role, you will play a key part in supporting the site’s quality operations within a regulated environment. You’ll contribute to maintaining accreditation requirements, implementing quality systems, and ensuring that products meet defined specifications and regulatory expectations. Your work will span document governance, batch review activities, audit participation, supplier engagement, and oversight of CAPA and NCR processes.

You will help drive continuous improvement by reviewing procedures, supporting change management, and contributing to validation activities. The position also involves involvement in internal quality audits, helping verify compliance with established standards and codes of practice.

You’ll work closely with the site laboratory, which operates seven days a week, helping maintain accurate documentation, up‑to‑date SOPs, and reliable calibration records. You’ll also guide and support colleagues in quality system practices and regulatory expectations, contributing to a strong culture of quality across the site.

This role is well‑suited to someone who brings technical capability, a solutions‑focused mindset, and the ability to manage tasks in a self‑directed way while contributing positively to team goals.

Key responsibilities

• Assist the Quality Manager with maintaining the site’s various accreditation requirements and implementing quality systems, special projects, reports, and training needs.
• Ensure product conformity with specifications and regulatory expectations by performing structured evaluations of quality and production documentation.
• Batch Release, microbiological data review, document governance, internal SOPs, specifications, training, internal and external audit assistance, supplier engagement, CAPA and NCR oversight, production and process controls, change management, validations, and procedural development and updates.
• Achieve quality standards and adherence to GMP by overseeing the Quality Compliance Auditing team and processes to deliver approved product specifications as defined in quality standards and policies.
• Verify that internal Quality audits are completed to confirm alignment with established standards and codes of practice.
• Accountable for directing the resolution and closure of issues or incidents identified during the audit cycle.
• Oversee the Laboratory for the site, which operates seven days per week.
• Guide, coach, and train personnel in quality system procedures and general regulatory compliance expectations.
• Maintain laboratory SOPs and product specification reference materials to ensure QA personnel are using current versions.
• Oversee the laboratory equipment calibration programme, ensuring accuracy and validity of records for laboratory and plant scales.

Qualifications and skills

• Experience in a regulated Food or Pharmaceutical environment will be advantageous.
• Working knowledge of GMP, hygiene controls, environmental monitoring, validation, and HACCP guidelines.
• Attention to detail.
• Problem‑solving mindset and curiosity.
• Technical aptitude.
• Strong people skills.
• Ability to work self‑directedly.
• Dedicated to driving improvement and raising standards.
• Effective team contributor.
• Previous SAP experience is an advantage.

What we offer:

• 25 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays)
• Matched pension scheme
• Access to our employee development platform and Udemy learning resources
• Benefits platform offering discounts and cashback at major retailers
• A collaborative and inclusive work environment with opportunities for career growth

About Kerry Dairy Ireland

Kerry Dairy Ireland is a vertically integrated farm-to-fork business with a very substantial consumer foods presence and a leading nutritional and dairy ingredients division, delivering high-quality dairy solutions with a focus on sustainability and innovation. From partnering with
local family farms to producing world-class dairy products, we ensure every step of our value chain reflects our commitment to excellence.
 
With over 50 years’ experience in milk processing, dairy and nutritional technology advancement, and product innovation, we are a key stakeholder in the global food industry and creators of a strong portfolio of market leading dairy brands including Cheestrings, Charleville and Coleraine Cheese, Dairygold, Golden Cow and our new SMUG range. Our from food, for food culture and deep-rooted connection to our 2,800 milk suppliers differentiates our business and offers captivating opportunities for our customers and consumers. 
 
Our dairy comes from some of the world’s richest grazing land and is produced by a network of Irish family farms that have one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world. Through a combination of expertise, innovation, and sustainability, Kerry Dairy Ireland is proud to shape the future of dairy while meeting the diverse needs of our farmers, customers, and communities.
 
Headquartered in Tralee, Co. Kerry, we operate multiple manufacturing facilities in the southwest of Ireland, including Listowel, Charleville, Newmarket, and Farranfore. Additionally, we manage 29 Farm & Home stores throughout the region, ensuring comprehensive coverage and service.
In Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom, our presence extends to key locations in Portadown, Coleraine, and Ossett.
 
Globally, Kerry Dairy Ireland employs over 1,600 dedicated professionals across Ireland, Northern Ireland, the UK, USA, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and China. In 2024, we achieved a turnover of approximately €1.3 billion, reflecting our commitment to excellence and growth.
 
Our Safety purpose: At Kerry, we work together in a caring culture where everybody goes home safe every day. We are committed to providing a safe working environment and ensuring that all safety protocols are strictly followed. Join us in creating a workplace where safety is everyone's responsibility.