The posting
About the Role
The Production Group Leader will lead a cross-functional team to deliver the goals of the Production Stream, ensuring strong performance across safety, quality, people, cost and operational efficiency. They will develop a high-performing team, drive continuous improvement and work collaboratively across functions to improve processes, solve problems and deliver against production targets. This role is working on a 24/5 shift pattern, 7-7, rotating every 3 weeks.
What will I be doing?
- Lead, develop and engage a high-performing Production Stream team, including recruitment, onboarding, training, performance management, succession planning and employee development.
- Ensure site policies, procedures and standard work are effectively implemented, communicated and consistently adhered to across the Production Stream.
- Drive continuous improvement through structured problem-solving, data analysis and CI methodologies to improve operational performance.
- Plan and optimise labour resources in line with production requirements, ensuring appropriate skills, flexibility and coverage across the team.
- Monitor and improve process reliability and OEE, identifying bottlenecks and leading corrective actions to enhance performance.
- Analyse and report on key production and conversion KPIs, identifying trends, performance gaps and improvement opportunities.
- Maintain high standards of product quality, GMP and Health & Safety, ensuring compliance with relevant standards, SOPs and risk management requirements.
- Support the delivery of key operational projects and coordinate maintenance activities with Engineering, including planned, reactive and autonomous maintenance.
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:
- Previous experience managing and developing teams within a manufacturing or process environment.
- Strong written, verbal and numerical skills, with the ability to analyse and interpret key process and performance data.
- Good knowledge of manufacturing processes, Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Proven problem-solving capability, ideally using 8 Step Practical Problem Solving or similar structured approaches.
- Experience in process standardisation and building effective, high-performing teams.
- Strong systems capability, including SAP/EPM and Microsoft Office.
- Effective leadership, communication, coaching and influencing skills, with the ability to build strong working relationships.
- Proactive and adaptable, with a continuous improvement mindset and the ability to identify improvements, challenge the status quo and deliver to deadlines.
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 ways to inspire and lead the evolution of dairy, food and nutrition. 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, pro-rated for shift work (excluding bank holidays)
- 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 and leads the evolution of dairy, food and nutrition. 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.
