About this role
<div> <p><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span>Job Description</span><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span><span>Job </span><span>Title:</span></span> <span>Product Development Manager</span><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span><span>Function</span><span>:</span></span> <span>R&D</span><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span><span>Reports to</span><span>: </span><span> </span><span>Head</span><span> of NPD</span></span><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span><span>Location:</span><span> </span><span> Dublin / Mitchelstown</span></span><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span>_____________________________________________________________________</span><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span><span>Ornua is a leading dairy co-operative which sells premium dairy products globally on behalf of its Member Co-operatives, Ireland’s dairy processors and, in turn, Irish dairy farmers.</span><span> </span></span><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span><span>Ornua has revenues of €3.4 billion and is supported by a global team of approximately 2,800 employees. The Group </span><span>operates</span><span> as a commercial organisation across 10 business units, including 12 production facilities </span><span>located</span><span> in Europe, North America, the Middle </span><span>East</span><span> and Africa.</span><span> </span></span><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span><span>The commercial organisation </span><span>is responsible for</span><span> the marketing and sales of </span><span>Ornua’s</span><span> consumer brands including Ireland’s most successful food export: Kerrygold. Consumer markets are served by production facilities in Ireland, </span><span>Germany</span><span> and the UK and by in-market Sales & Marketing Teams in Asia, Germany, Ireland, MEA, Poland, Spain, rest of Europe and North and Latin America.</span><span> </span></span><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span><span>It also manages the procurement of Irish and non-Irish dairy products, the sale of dairy ingredients to food manufacturing and foodservice customers globally, and the implementation of de-risking and trading strategies to manage market volatility. These ac</span><span>tivities are supported by production facilities and in-market teams in Europe, North America, the Middle </span><span>East</span><span> and Africa.</span><span> </span></span><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span>The Role</span><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <div> <p><span><span>We are seeking a</span><span> </span><span>Product Development Manager</span><span> who</span><span> will </span><span>be responsible for</span><span> the delivery of new product development projects, ensuring that products meet all legal, functional and consumer requirements. You will work closely</span><span> </span><span>with key internal stakeholders, acting as a voice of technology in your area of functional </span><span>expertise</span></span><span>.</span><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span> </span><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span>Key Areas of Responsibility</span><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li> <p><span><span>Lead the </span><span>end-to-end product development of Kerrygold Standard products, translating consumer, customer, and market insights into commercially successful innovation</span><span>s</span><span> and renovation</span><span>s</span><span> that deliver against brand and growth ambitions. </span></span><span> </span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li> <p><span><span>Collaborate to create the innovation pipeline, partnering with markets, insights and cross-functional stakeholders to </span><span>identify</span><span>, prioritise, and develop future growth opportunities using consumer-centric and design thinking methodologies. </span></span><span> </span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li> <p><span><span>Drive delivery of complex NPD projects, overseeing projects from ideation through </span><span>to </span><span>development</span><span>, </span><span>ensuring alignment to strategic, technical, and financial </span><span>objectives</span><span>. </span></span><span> </span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li> <p><span><span>Act as a technical and innovation authority, </span><span>providing</span><span> expert guidance and influencing decision-making across R&D, marketing, operations, and commercial teams. </span></span><span> </span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li> <p><span>Own stakeholder engagement at senior levels, delivering clear, insight-led updates and recommendations to leadership forums and driving alignment on project direction.</span><span> </span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li> <p><span>Lead regulatory and specification governance, ensuring robust, compliant product design and working closely with legal, regulatory, and quality teams to safeguard brand integrity and market readiness. </span><span> </span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li> <p><span>Drive commercial impact and business performance, applying strong market and financial acumen to ensure innovation delivers against strategic growth targets and long-term value creation. </span><span> </span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li> <p><span><span>Identify</span><span> and </span><span>leverage</span><span> emerging trends, technologies, and capabilities, translating external insights into </span><span>a </span><span>competitive advantage and forward-looking innovation strategies for the Kerrygold portfolio. </span></span><span> </span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <p><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span>Key Skills / Attributes</span><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li> <p><span>Bachelor’s degree in food science, Food Technology, or related discipline.</span><span> </span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li> <p><span><span>Minimum 5 </span><span>years’ experience</span><span> in product development within the food industry, with a proven </span><span>track record</span><span> of delivering complex innovation projects. </span></span><span> </span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li> <p><span><span>Advanced technical </span><span>expertise</span><span> in food processing, formulation, and sensory evaluation, with the ability to act as a subject matter expert. Experience in dairy is a distinct advantage.</span></span><span> </span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li> <p><span>Deep understanding of food regulations, quality standards, and product governance frameworks, with accountability for compliant delivery.</span><span> </span></p> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li> <p><span><span>Strong leadership and influencing capability, with </span><span>previous</span><span> management or supervisory experience.</span></span><span> </span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li> <p><span>Demonstrate strategic thinking and commercial acumen, </span><span> </span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li> <p><span>Highly developed project management skills, capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.</span><span> </span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li> <p><span><span>Strong communication</span><span> skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, impactful messaging for diverse audiences.</span></span><span> </span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li> <p><span><span>Ability to travel as </span><span>required</span><span> with Driver’s licence.</span></span><span> </span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <p><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span>Ornua Core Competencies </span><span> </span></p> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li> <p><span>Customer Focus:</span><span> Advocates for the customer, balances customer and business needs, and spots opportunities for growth.</span><span> </span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li> <p><span>Forward-Looking:</span><span> Helps others to accept change, implements change, and looks ahead to anticipate change.</span><span> </span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li> <p><span>Curious:</span><span> Open to asking questions and willing to learn and continuously improve.</span><span> </span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li> <p><span>Working Together:</span><span> Encourages co-operation in own team and supports cross-functional working.</span><span> </span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <p><span> </span></p> </div> </div>