Quality Systems and Regulations Lead

About the role

We have a great opportunity for a Quality Systems & Regulations Lead to join us at our site in Portadown.

Requisition 63668

Position Type FT Permanent

Reporting into the Site Technical Manager, this is a dynamic and fast‑paced role, responsible for leading and maintaining the site’s Quality Management System (QMS). You will also ensure regulatory compliance for all food products, and support the technical function in meeting all customer, legal, and certification requirements.

The role is responsible for ensuring the site operates to the required standards of food safety, legality, and quality, while driving continuous improvement and ensuring successful external and customer audits. The role provides day‑to‑day supervision, coaching and development for one direct report.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Quality professional, with previous food manufacturing experience, to develop themselves further and grow a career with us!

Kerry Dairy Ireland 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.

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 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, Kerry Dairy Ireland is proud to shape the future of dairy whilst 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, Kerry Dairy Ireland employs over 1,600 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.

• Own and maintain the site’s QMS, ensuring all documents, procedures, forms, and work instructions are current, controlled, and compliant.
• Lead annual reviews of the QMS and implement change control in line with site, customer, and legislative updates.
• Conduct internal audits to verify compliance and drive corrective actions.
• Ensure all products comply with UK and EU food law, including labelling regulations, allergen controls, ingredient declarations, and claims.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of regulatory changes and communicate impacts to the business.
• Review and approve product specifications, artwork, and labelling.
• Support risk assessments (HACCP, TACCP/VACCP) from a compliance perspective.
• Prepare and coordinate BRCGS and customer audits.
• Maintain audit readiness and manage audit evidence, responses, and follow‑up actions.
• Maintain approved supplier documentation, ensuring supplier approval files are accurate, complete, and risk‑assessed.
• Review and approve raw material specifications, certificates of analysis, and allergen declarations.
• Work with Procurement and Technical Manager to address supplier non‑conformances.
• Support NPD, Production, Procurement, and Commercial teams on technical/regulatory queries.
• Support complaint investigations with corrective action follow‑up.
• Identify and drive improvements in QMS efficiency, audit performance, compliance processes, and documentation.
• Embed food safety culture through training, coaching, and communication.
• Lead, coach, and develop your team,…