Quality Manager

Kepak is a leading food company with 14 manufacturing sites and over 4,500 employees across Ireland and the UK, with a turnover of €1.75 billion.

The Group operates across three divisions: Meat Division Ireland, Foods Division and Meat Division UK. Guided by our values - Responsibility, Ambition, Passion for Food, and Teamwork. We are committed to operating as a successful, sustainable, future-ready business that is a great place to work. We supply fresh and value-added meat based products to retail and foodservice through private label and our own brands, including Rustlers, Big Al's and John Stone.

Are you a passionate quality professional looking to make a real impact in a fast-paced food production environment? We have an exciting opportunity for a Quality Manager to join our dynamic technical team in Athleague, where you’ll play a key role in ensuring our products meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Champion and maintain compliance with regulatory, BRC, TFMS, MPQAS, and customer standards
• Support and enhance the Food Safety Management System, ensuring its ongoing effectiveness
• Manage and maintain customer product specifications, including via Kepak’s specification system
• Collaborate with commercial, sales, and production teams in the development of new product specifications (NLAF)
• Lead and support investigations into customer complaints, ensuring robust root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective actions (CAPA)
• Drive excellence in handling non-conformances, both internal and external
• Prepare for and support customer, regulatory, and accreditation audits—ensuring the site is always audit-ready
• Work closely with DAFM representatives, attending weekly meetings and resolving any issues promptly
• Support the traceability programme, ensuring timely and accurate responses to customer requests
• Monitor and report on customer KPIs, driving corrective actions where needed
• Contribute to continuous improvement projects across the site
• Support, guide, and mentor members of the Technical and QC team

Requirements

• What we need from you?

• Qualification in Agri Science, Food Science, Food Technology, or related discipline

• Experience in a similar role and People Management experience required

• Strong knowledge of HACCP, BRCGS, GMP, TACCP, VACCP, and EU food safety regulations

• Experience in managing audits and liaising with external stakeholders

• Proven track record in food safety compliance and quality systems management

• Knowledge of animal welfare standards a distinct advantage

• Level 6 QQI Advanced HACCP certification an advantage

Benefits

• What can we offer you?

• Company Pension

• Paid Maternity Leave

• Further Education support - You’ll have clear pathways for advancement, supported by continuous professional development and a range of learning opportunities

• Subsidized Canteen

• Refer a Friend Scheme - Earn up to Get up to €500 for successfully referring a friend or family member to Kepak Group.

• Bike 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

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