Head of Data & AI

About the Role

As Kinisla continues its journey as an independent organisation, the Head of Data & AI will play a pivotal role in turning data into a strategic asset. Leading data governance, reporting standards and AI adoption, the role will improve data quality, enable faster decision-making and create the foundations for future analytics, automation and innovation.

This is a newly created leadership role, offering a unique opportunity to shape Kinisla's data and AI strategy from the ground up.

At Kinisla we offer a flexible working policy – this role would be 3 days per week in our Tralee Head Office.

What will I be doing? 

• Establish and lead Kinisla's enterprise data, analytics and AI capability. 

• Develop and implement a company-wide data strategy aligned to business objectives. 

• Lead data governance and master data management across SAP and non-SAP systems. 

• Ensure business data is accurate, trusted, secure and accessible across the organisation. 

• Drive consistent reporting, KPI frameworks and business insights to support executive decision-making, Board reporting and business performance. 

• Define and maintain data standards, policies and governance frameworks. 

• Identify opportunities to leverage automation, AI and advanced analytics to improve productivity and business outcomes. 

• Partner with Finance, Operations, Commercial, HR, Agribusiness and ICT teams to maximise the value of business data. 

• Build a data-driven culture, promoting best practice in data management and decision-making. 

• Lead the development of future data, reporting, analytics and AI capabilities to support organisational growth and transformation. 

What do I need to be successful? 

At Kinisla, we understand that people have very different career trajectories and experiences. In order to be successful in this role we would be looking for the right competencies and aptitudes as well as your proven track record of success in a similar role and environment.  

These include: 

• 10+ years' experience in Data, Analytics, Business Intelligence, Information Management or related leadership roles. 

• Proven experience establishing Data Governance, Data Ownership and Master Data Management (MDM) frameworks. 

• Strong understanding of SAP data structures, master data, business processes and enterprise data management. 

• Experience developing executive reporting, KPI frameworks, dashboards and analytics capabilities to support decision-making. 

• Strong track record of improving data quality, governance and business insight across multiple functions. 

• Experience delivering business value through data, analytics, automation and AI initiatives, including AI governance and adoption. 

• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills, with experience working closely with senior leadership teams. 

• Experience leading change, managing external vendors and partners, and driving strategic data transformation programmes; FMCG, food, manufacturing or agribusiness experience is advantageous. 

What will I get in return?

At Kinisla, we believe in giving talented, curious people the opportunity to make a difference. We work as a team, searching for the best ways to inspire food and nourish life. We are a community of innovators, working across disciplines to solve global food challenges with a fresh approach. We want you to achieve whatever you put your mind to.

We also offer:

• 25 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays)
• Hybrid working (3 days per week in the office)
• Health Care
• Matched pension scheme
• Benefits platform offering discounts and cashback on major retailers.

About Kinisla

Kinisla 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, Kinisla 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, Kinisla employs over 1,700 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.

Get in touch today!

At Kinisla, we benefit from the knowledge of our colleagues who bring a diverse range of cultures, backgrounds, lifestyles and experiences. One team fostering an inclusive culture that, above all, inspires food and nourishes life. One culture where everyone brings their unique perspectives and experiences to help make us better, together. We are committed to nurturing an environment of positivity and inclusiveness, where everyone can be at their best, both personally and professionally.

Our recruitment, selection and assessment process are based on the skills and competencies of the specific roles and based entirely on merit.  We are committed to and value Diversity and Inclusion in all recruitment processes within Kinisla and do not discriminate based on gender, race, class, economic status, ethnic background, sexual orientation, age, political beliefs, veteran status, marital status or any other protected characteristic.

Please note: We do not accept CVs or candidate profiles from recruitment agencies where Kinisla terms of business have not been signed. Additionally, we will not consider or agree to payment of any recruiter fee under these circumstances. This also applies to CVs or candidate profiles sent directly to any Kinisla Hiring Managers.