About Kerry

The aim to shape the future of food might seem ambitious to some, but to us in Kerry, it's all in a day’s work. Kerry is dedicated to helping create better-tasting, more authentic and nutritious food, and beverages. We produce safe, quality products that help feed millions every day. Wherever you are, we can work together to create inspiring solutions that nourish life.

About the role

We have an opportunity for a Director Taste Fermenation Technology to lead the Fermentation COE team who are based in Naas, Ireland and Menstrie, Scotland. This is a great opportunity to join our business and work collaboratively with the wider innovation community whilst being able to be work with a variety of sites both in person and virtually to push the taste business forward.

You will be a subject matter expert in taste Fermentation and its derivatives where they have specific functionality to deliver taste whilst understanding future focused market trends with a focus on 1–5-year market innovation

The successful candidate will create Fermentation Taste technologies differentiating raw materials, processes to support the creation by our flavourists and/or scientists of unique taste solutions, derived from fermentation to support our EUM value proposition and help our systems business to differentiate.

What will I be doing?

• Lead & Manage R&D team to deliver across core platforms of Innovation, Product Development and Process improvement
• Manage Innovation projects and track against project plans. (end to end from Ideation, through to successful production, EUM application validation and launch)
• Understand taste and flavours trends globally as well as variances across the regional market
• Inform & support technology extension & acquisition
• Literature and patent searches as required for project activation
• Identify and manage external Innovation collaborations.
• Manage R&D pipeline for successful implementation and delivery of new products, process improvements
• Where relevant and in partnership with Portfolio and /or Regional BD act as CofE to manage step change customer projects
• In partnership with the Global Fermentation Portfolio Manager communicate Taste RDA functions as a subject matter expert to facilitate winning customer solutions
• In partnership with Portfolio Manager, responsible to ensure key differentiating Fermentation raw materials, processes, new technologies are utilised by Taste teams across all regions
• Training of flavourist community in sub expertise
• Drive the tonality excellence program linked to the CoE.
• In partnership with manufacturing operations -Improving the current raw materials and processes of both upstream fermentation and downstream extraction
• Understand competitor and external technology market
• Identify sustainability opportunities within existing and proposed products, and processes to meet sustainability and business performance objectives
• In partnership with Operations, manage Process improvement projects to drive cost efficiency.

What will I get in return?

At Kerry, we believe in giving talented, curious people the opportunity to make a difference.

We work as a team, searching for the best ways to inspire food and nourish life. 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 (excluding bank holidays)
• Hybrid working
• Health Care Cover
• Matched pension scheme
• Benefits platform offering discounts and cashback on major retailers

What do I need to be successful?

In Kerry 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:

• Experience in Fermentation, & Downstream extraction (precision fermentation and extraction)
• Ideally PhD in BioChemistry or Masters, with solid understanding of microbial fermentation as it relates to Food
• English language - written and verbal
• Excellent communicator who is confident in decision making
• Experience in scientific processes
• Being naturally inquisitive about the role of food, function of ingredients and how they related to taste functionality.

Get in touch today!

In Kerry 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 food and nourishes life.

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 Kerry 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.

We look forward to meeting you!