Process Technologist

Process Technologist

Job title:       Process Technologist.            

Reports to:  Technical Controller.

Location:      Ornua Foods, Sunnyhills road, Leek.                   

Salary:           Generous Salary based on experience.

Hours:           Monday to Friday 36.25 hours per week.    

Benefits:       Matched pension scheme up to 8%, Generous holiday allowance increasing with length of service, Subsidised staff canteen, Company shop offering discounts on Ornua products, Sports & Social Club, Staff Lottery, Discount on Bikes & Tech Scheme, Confidential Employee Assist Programme, Free onsite parking                    

Ornua (meaning “new gold”) is Ireland’s largest exporter of Irish dairy products, proudly bringing the unique taste of Irish dairy to the world for over 55 years.

Are you a Process Technologist looking for the challenge of taking a mission driven organisation to its next level of success?

Ornua is actively seeking a process technologist to join our technical department as we continue our growth trajectory.

Why Ornua?

• Ornua operates from 10 business units worldwide, including 16 production facilities, and has sales and marketing teams working in-market across all four corners of the globe.
• The Group is structured across two divisions: Ornua Foods and Ornua Ingredients.
• Ornua Foods is responsible for the marketing and sales of Ornua’s consumer brands including Kerrygold, Pilgrims Choice.
• Our co-operative ethos lies at the heart of how we do business as a purpose and values-led organisation, creating value for Irish dairy farming families.
• Our Values lie at the core of everything we do. Our five values encourage us to Seek and Embrace New Ideas, Make It Happen, Be Our True Selves, Show You Care, and Achieve Great Things Together.
• Dynamic Working policy in place which facilitates flexible hours and hybrid working
• We invest in our people and foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Career Progression including Global Mobility opportunities.
• Comprehensive Benefits with regional specific offerings.

Why This Role Is Valuable:

The business is entering an exciting period of expansion & change which will generate a requirement for new products. It is key that the Process Technologist takes ownership of all new products / product improvements for their relevant customer groups. Taking a product from concept through to launch adhering to the relevant procedures within the Quality Management System. Multi shift based role providing a sample & trial service to the Leek facility. This role will require flexibility in working hours due to the need to attend planned factory trials.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

• Proposed new products are analysed to determine feasibility of manufacture. All accepted new products are capable of being manufactured satisfactorily to food safety & quality standards.
• Changes in food safety legislation are recognised and implemented. Updates in legislation are recorded and communicated.
• Feasibility checks are carried out on all proposed new processes and products.
• Assist in ensuring suppliers conform to company quality and food safety standards. Non-conformities are identified and reported.
• Customer complaints are analysed & recommendations made to implement improvements.
• Customer Codes of Practice are adhered to. No non-conformities arise.
• Risk assessments are carried out on new materials in line with the company’s food safety policy. No new materials are introduced without prior approval.
• Specification processes are to be managed. All new products have defined specifications.
• Shelf Life testing and trials are carried out on all products in accordance with company procedures. Results are analysed, reported and remedies proposed.
• Factory trials are managed formally with relevant data capture and communication post trial.
• Quality Attribute Sheets for all new products.
• Managing the trial / sample request process, in a timely & professional manner.
• Attending factory trials ensuring colleagues are pre- briefed and relevant data is collected.
• Maintain trial related records in an orderly manner to allow efficient filing, retrieval and archiving.

Key Requirements:

• Protect & maintain relationships with all internal and external parties, customers, suppliers & 3rd party manufacturers.
• Manage commercial sample & trial request process.
• Completion of factory trials.
• Liaise with relevant departments to ensure that planned trials are completed on time, following procedure and as per request.
• Trial data to be collected, recorded & fed back to the business.
• Use learnings to continually improve effectiveness of the sample / trial processes.
• Maintain trial related records in an orderly manner to allow efficient filing, retrieval and archiving.
• Management of programmes to achieve improved shelf life & quality perception of the product range.
• Management of shelf life testing; ensuring agreed regimes are followed.
• Ownership for technical aspects of delivery of new product launches.
• Fully familiar with all customer specification requirements & formats

• Min 3 years’ experience in chilled food manufacture is ideal.
• Computer literate with good working knowledge of Microsoft applications.
• HACCP trained.
• Good standard of written & oral communication.
• Retailer specification systems.

Our interview process is designed to be thorough yet supportive. This process includes a first stage via Teams to allow us to get to know you better and to understand your skills and experiences and, if successful, a second stage face-to-face interview that will build upon the first stage and give you the opportunity to get a feel for Ornua and the environment in which you will be working.

Ornua has ambitious growth plans and we’re building a team to help enable and accelerate that growth. We are looking for people who share our values, are curious, forward-looking, take ownership and work together to build a future for themselves and Ornua.

Would you like to make an impact?

To learn more, please visit Ornua at www.ornua.com

Ornua values diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds. We also strongly encourage women and other underrepresented groups in the manufacturing industry to apply. Your unique perspectives and experiences are highly valued and will be instrumental in driving our company’s continued success. Join us in shaping a more innovative, inclusive, and sustainable future.