Kepak Supply Chain Graduate Programme 2027 - Ireland

Kepak Supply Chain Graduate Programme 2027 - Ireland

Role Purpose

The Supply Chain Graduate programme at Kepak offers an in-depth experience across the various facets of our supply chain and operations. Graduates will be immersed in the end-to-end process, from production to customer fulfilment, gaining a comprehensive understanding of how different teams and functions interact to maintain inventory, ensure product quality, and meet customer expectations. The role is designed to develop well-rounded professionals who can navigate the complexities of a fast-paced, data-driven environment, ultimately preparing them for leadership positions within the company.

Key Responsibilities

• •Inventory Management: Monitor and manage inventory levels across multiple production sites, ensuring a balance between stock availability and efficiency.

• •Order Fulfilment: Collaborate with sales and planning teams to fulfil customer orders, ensuring that service levels are met or exceeded.

• •Data Analysis: Utilise data to assess overall inventory positions, forecast demand, and identify trends or areas for improvement in the supply chain.

• •Production Coordination: Engage with production teams to optimize processes, balance inventory targets, and ensure efficient use of resources across various factories.

• •Cross-functional Collaboration: Act as a central point of contact between operations, sales, finance, and technical teams, explaining the logic behind decisions and ensuring alignment across functions.

• •Problem Solving: Address and resolve issues that arise within the supply chain, adapting to variability in raw materials and changing customer demands.

• •Quality Assurance: Ensure adherence to quality specifications, understanding that flexibility and adaptability are required due to the natural variability in livestock.

• Key Competencies

• •Numeracy and Data-Driven: Strong ability to work with numbers and data, using analytical skills to drive decision-making.

• •Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to managing inventory, quality specifications, and operational processes.

• •Communication: Ability to engage with a diverse range of personalities across multiple teams, maintaining clear and effective communication.

• •Problem Solving: Agile in evaluating and resolving issues as they arise, often needing to find the balance between efficiency and quality.

• •Adaptability: Comfortable working in a dynamic environment where priorities can shift rapidly, requiring flexibility and quick thinking.

• Other Role Information

• •Location: This is a site based role, learning the end to end process. There will be opportunities to travel to other Kepak sites and external locations throughout the programme.

• •Training: Initial period of hands-on training in production areas, followed by a transition to more desk-based roles focused on data analysis and inventory management.

• •Progression: The role is designed to develop future leaders within the company, with opportunities for progression into more senior positions after successful completion of the scheme.

• Our Graduate programme allows dynamic, motivated, hardworking, and passionate Graduates an opportunity start their career with one of Ireland & UKs leading meat businesses. The programme lasts 2 years.

You can expect:

• To be fully immersed into our Culture from day 1, working alongside key industry experts and Kepak leaders

• An opportunity to work in various departments across the business with a rotation plan tailored to your development, the rotations plan will vary by site

• Gain an in depth understanding of our brands and products, and our relationships with customers and consumers

• To learn key aspects of our business, whilst you develop your skills and knowledge

• The opportunity to develop personally and professionally through exposure to key projects, tasks and development activities that challenge you, all supported by a detailed learner journey and training plan

• A dedicated mentor and development program to support you both on the programme and into a role that best fits your skills

• Start date: September 6th 2027

• Starting Salary - €33,500 with an up to €2,000 increase at the start of Year 2 to €35,000

• Read more about our programme and hear from some of our Graduates:https://www.kepak.com/careers/graduates/

Requirements

• Who are we looking for?

• We are looking for hardworking and ambitious Graduates, who want to learn and grow in a challenging and fast paced environment, by performing real roles as part of your rotations.

• You must be mobile and willing to travel throughout the programme to undertake development activities at any of our sites in the UK and Ireland.

• We will consider undergraduates from all disciplines and backgrounds.

• Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• •Educational Background: Open to all degree disciplines; however, a strong numeracy skill set is essential.

• •Skills: Proficiency in data analysis tools and familiarity with inventory management systems is advantageous.

• •Industry Knowledge: A basic understanding of the meat processing industry and product specifications is beneficial.

• •Experience: Previous experience in a similar fast-paced, data-driven environment is a plus, but not required.

• Personal Attributes

• •Resilience: Comfortable working in a challenging environment, including exposure to abattoirs and carcass locations.

• •Team Player: Willingness to work collaboratively across different teams and functions, sharing the load and supporting colleagues.

• •Versatility: Capable of stepping into various roles within the supply chain, rather than specializing too narrowly in one area.

• •Precision and Focus: A driven individual who thrives in a repetitive, detail-oriented environment.

We will be looking for alignment with our Core Values:

• Responsibility – Ability to work on your own initiative and take accountability for your actions

• Ambition – You will have the willingness and confidence to challenge yourself to be the best you can be and be driven to succeed

• Passion for Food – this is at the heart of everything we do, you must be passionate about every aspect of our industry

• Teamwork – ability to build positive relationships quickly with people from all cultures and career stages is pivotal

Benefits

• Employee Discount Scheme
• Service-Related Annual Leave
• Discounted Health Insurance
• Educational Assistance/ L&D
• Discounted Meat Products
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee assistance programme