NPD Manager

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Date: 14 Jul 2026

Location: Dublin, IE, D02 H638

Company: Ornua Co-operative Limited

 

Job Description 

 

Job Title: Product Development Manager 

Function: R&D 

Reports to:  Head of NPD 

Location:  Dublin / Mitchelstown 

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Ornua is a leading dairy co-operative which sells premium dairy products globally on behalf of its Member Co-operatives, Ireland’s dairy processors and, in turn, Irish dairy farmers.  

 

Ornua has revenues of €3.4 billion and is supported by a global team of approximately 2,800 employees. The Group operates as a commercial organisation across 10 business units, including 12 production facilities located in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa.  

 

The commercial organisation is responsible for the marketing and sales of Ornua’s consumer brands including Ireland’s most successful food export: Kerrygold. Consumer markets are served by production facilities in Ireland, Germany and the UK and by in-market Sales & Marketing Teams in Asia, Germany, Ireland, MEA, Poland, Spain, rest of Europe and North and Latin America.  

 

It also manages the procurement of Irish and non-Irish dairy products, the sale of dairy ingredients to food manufacturing and foodservice customers globally, and the implementation of de-risking and trading strategies to manage market volatility. These activities are supported by production facilities and in-market teams in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa.  

 

 

The Role 

 

We are seeking a Product Development Manager who will be responsible for the delivery of new product development projects, ensuring that products meet all legal, functional and consumer requirements. You will work closely with key internal stakeholders, acting as a voice of technology in your area of functional expertise. 

 

  

Key Areas of Responsibility 

 

  • Lead the end-to-end product development of Kerrygold Standard products, translating consumer, customer, and market insights into commercially successful innovations and renovations that deliver against brand and growth ambitions.  

  • Collaborate to create the innovation pipeline, partnering with markets, insights and cross-functional stakeholders to identify, prioritise, and develop future growth opportunities using consumer-centric and design thinking methodologies.  

  • Drive delivery of complex NPD projects, overseeing projects from ideation through to development, ensuring alignment to strategic, technical, and financial objectives.  

  • Act as a technical and innovation authority, providing expert guidance and influencing decision-making across R&D, marketing, operations, and commercial teams.  

  • Own stakeholder engagement at senior levels, delivering clear, insight-led updates and recommendations to leadership forums and driving alignment on project direction. 

  • Lead regulatory and specification governance, ensuring robust, compliant product design and working closely with legal, regulatory, and quality teams to safeguard brand integrity and market readiness.  

  • Drive commercial impact and business performance, applying strong market and financial acumen to ensure innovation delivers against strategic growth targets and long-term value creation.  

  • Identify and leverage emerging trends, technologies, and capabilities, translating external insights into a competitive advantage and forward-looking innovation strategies for the Kerrygold portfolio.  

 

Key Skills / Attributes 

  • Bachelor’s degree in food science, Food Technology, or related discipline. 

  • Minimum 5 years’ experience in product development within the food industry, with a proven track record of delivering complex innovation projects.  

  • Advanced technical expertise in food processing, formulation, and sensory evaluation, with the ability to act as a subject matter expert. Experience in dairy is a distinct advantage. 

  • Deep understanding of food regulations, quality standards, and product governance frameworks, with accountability for compliant delivery. 

  • Strong leadership and influencing capability, with previous management or supervisory experience. 

  • Demonstrate strategic thinking and commercial acumen,  

  • Highly developed project management skills, capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. 

  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, impactful messaging for diverse audiences. 

  • Ability to travel as required with Driver’s licence. 

 

Ornua Core Competencies  

  • Customer Focus: Advocates for the customer, balances customer and business needs, and spots opportunities for growth. 

  • Forward-Looking: Helps others to accept change, implements change, and looks ahead to anticipate change. 

  • Curious: Open to asking questions and willing to learn and continuously improve. 

  • Working Together: Encourages co-operation in own team and supports cross-functional working.