Head of Food Safety and Quality - Retail Manufacturing

Kepak is one of Europe’s leading food companies with manufacturing sites across Ireland and the UK. Here at Kepak, our vision is to be a successful, sustainable, future ready Food Business with differentiation at its core and that is a great place to work. This vision is underpinned by our values of Responsibility, Ambition, Passion For Food & Teamwork. With a turnover of €1.75 billion, the Group operates across three divisions: Meat Division Ireland, the Foods Division and Meat Division UK.

Kepak's Meat Division Ireland operates across 8 manufacturing sites with 2,500 employees, producing a range of quality meat and protein-based food products for retail and foodservice customers. The division focuses on providing exceptional service and value to our stakeholders.

Are you ready to step into a high impact leadership role where food safety, quality and operational excellence come together. As Head of Food Safety and Quality, you will shape and lead the strategy across our Meat Division Ireland’s Retail Packing operations, driving continuous improvement, strengthening compliance and empowering site teams to deliver exceptional standards. This is an influential senior leadership opportunity for someone who can inspire people and make a positive difference to the business.

Responsibilities:

You will provide both strategic and operational leadership across food safety, quality assurance, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement.

Health and Safety

• Foster a robust safety-first culture by guaranteeing complete adherence to health and safety regulations and internal guidelines. Work closely with the Health and Safety team to implement tailored health and safety plans specific to each site.

Compliance

• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations, including HACCP, BRC standards, animal welfare, and training requirements.
• Assist our site teams in upholding Kepak, customer, and regulatory standards throughout our operations.
• Manage Food Safety and Quality Management Systems (QMS) and audits, ensuring that we achieve excellent results.
• Have a strong grasp of business policies, procedures, and legal obligations, making certain that we remain compliant.

Business Continuity and Risk Management

• Take the initiative to recognize and address potential risks within our retail manufacturing operations.
• Collaborate closely with the operations teams to create and execute comprehensive business continuity plans at all locations.

Customer and Supplier Standards

• Champions and maintains high standards for our customers and suppliers at the site.
• Guarantees that site processes meet customer expectations while adhering to food safety compliance requirements.

Strategic Leadership & Accountability

• Craft and execute dynamic strategies that drive ongoing innovation in food safety and quality processes.
• Establish clear expectations while empowering teams to take pride in their ownership of food safety initiatives.
• Nurture a strong culture of accountability, ensuring that both you and your colleagues are responsible for every facet of food safety and quality, from on-site execution to delivery and follow-through.
• Anticipate regulatory, customer, and operational trends to proactively shape quality and compliance strategies
• Demonstrates a strong sense of urgency in driving initiatives forward, ensuring that critical priorities are addressed promptly and decisively.
• Communicates clearly and effectively with senior teams on relevant business areas

Continuous Improvement

• Encourage a thriving culture of ongoing enhancement to elevate our food safety systems and ensure compliance.
• Work closely with operations, engineering, and IT teams to develop and implement cutting-edge solutions that optimize food safety processes.

Food Safety

• Foster a robust food safety culture across all locations.
• Lead the charge in advancing innovative food safety systems and quality practices that elevate operational excellence and build customer trust.
• Ensure adherence to food safety audits and meet customer-specific requirements with diligence

People & Culture

• Inspire, nurture, and enable your teams to reach their maximum potential.
• Foster a culture of positive engagement and collaboration among teams and stakeholders

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Work closely with stakeholders to ensure GMP food safety and quality goals and standards are met.
• Collaborate with NPD on technical specifications and provide food safety and quality expertise to ensure all specifications are compliant with FS&Q and customer requirements

External Stakeholder Management

• Lead engagement with customers, suppliers, auditors, regulators, and industry bodies on all matters relating to food safety and quality compliance
• Safeguard and enhance Kepak's reputation as a best-in-class supplier through positive and proactive engagement with key stakeholders at all levels

• Advanced qualifications in Food Science, Food Technology or related fields
• Lead auditor qualification (BRC, GFSI, ISO,22000) advantageous
• Professional certifications in quality management advantageous (e.g., Six Sigma, ISO 9001)
• Proven experience in food safety and quality management within the food manufacturing industry, such as meat, dairy, fish etc
• Understanding of HACCP, BRC standards, GMP, and food safety regulations
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to manage cross-functional teams effectively.
• Proven track record of managing food safety programs in a retail manufacturing environment
• Extensive experience with regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and risk management
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Full professional fluency in English language

What can we offer you?

• Bonus scheme
• Company Pension
• Subsidised canteen
• Further Education support - you’ll have clear pathways for advancement, supported by continuous professional development and a range of learning opportunities
• Cycle to Work Scheme - Purchase a bike and safety equipment through a salary sacrifice scheme which reduces your taxable income – meaning you pay less tax!
• Long Service Awards - We recognise, acknowledge and award the dedication and valuable contribution of long serving employees
• Refer a Friend Scheme - Get up to €500 for successfully referring a friend or family member to Kepak Group