Kepak Food Safety & Quality (Technical) Graduate Programme 2026 - Ireland

Kepak Food Safety & Quality (Technical) Graduate Programme 2026 - Ireland

We are seeking to recruit for the 2025 Technical Graduate Programme at our location in Ballybay, Co.Monaghan

Role Purpose

The Graduate Scheme is designed to develop technical expertise within the meat processing industry, with a focus on Food Safety & Quality Control (QC). The role offers an opportunity to gain hands-on experience, Graduates will be trained to ensure the highest standards of food safety, hygiene, and product quality, preparing them for potential future leadership roles such as a Site Technical Manager.

Key Responsibilities

•Rotational Training: Participate in rotational placements across various technical departments, including Hygiene, Quality Control, and Production.

•Quality Control: Conduct daily hygiene checks, product quality assessments, and equipment inspections to ensure compliance with company and regulatory standards.

•Issue Identification & Escalation: Identify potential quality issues during inspections and escalate them to the Line Manager (LM) or Technical Manager as required.

•Data Analysis: Analyse quality control data to identify trends and implement corrective actions to maintain product standards.

•Communication: Effectively communicate quality issues and resolutions within the QC team and with other stakeholders such as production supervisors and line workers.

•Stakeholder Management: Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, maintaining assertiveness when addressing quality concerns while fostering a collaborative working environment.

•Compliance: Ensure the implementation and adherence to food safety laws, customer requirements, and internal standards, communicating these effectively to all levels within the company.

Key Competencies

•Attention to Detail: Ability to perform repetitive tasks consistently while maintaining high levels of accuracy.

•Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to quickly grasp complex concepts.

•Time Management: Efficiently manage daily tasks to ensure all duties are completed within designated timeframes.

•Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills; able to work cross-functionally and at various levels of the organization.

•Adaptability: Willingness to learn and adapt to various roles within the technical team, with the potential to manage people in the future.

Other Role Information

•Work Environment: This role is based in a meat processing facility. Candidates should be comfortable working in such settings.

•Career Development: This scheme is designed to develop graduates into future leaders within the company, with a clear potential pathways to roles such as Site Technical Manager.

•Location: The role is based in Ireland, but candidates should be willing to travel to other Kepak, and external, locations as required.

Our Graduate programme allows dynamic, motivated, hardworking, and passionate Graduates an opportunity start their career with one of Ireland & UKs leading meat businesses. The programme lasts 2 years.

You can expect:

• To be fully immersed into our Culture from day 1, working alongside key industry experts and Kepak leaders
• An opportunity to work in various departments across the business with a rotation plan tailored to your development, the rotations plan will vary by site
• Gain an in depth understanding of our brands and products, and our relationships with customers and consumers
• To learn key aspects of our business, whilst you develop your skills and knowledge
• The opportunity to develop personally and professionally through exposure to key projects, tasks and development activities that challenge you, all supported by a detailed learner journey and training plan
• A dedicated mentor and development program to support you both on the programme and into a role that best fits your skills

Start date: September 7th 2026

Starting Salary - €32,000 with an up to €2,000 increase at the start of Year 2 to €34,000

Read more about our programme and hear from some of our Graduates:https://www.kepak.com/careers/graduates/

Requirements:
Who are we looking for?

We are looking for hardworking and ambitious Graduates, who want to learn and grow in a challenging and fast paced environment, by performing real roles as part of your rotations.

You must be mobile and willing to travel throughout the programme to undertake development activities at any of our sites in the UK and Ireland.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

•Educational Background: A degree in Food Science, Technology, Agriculture, Agricultural Science, or a related field. Candidates with a general science degree and a demonstrated interest in the agri-sector are also considered.

•Skills: Understanding of the agricultural sector, particularly within the red meat industry, is beneficial. Ability to analyze information, solve problems, and summarize conclusions.

•Experience: Previous work experience in the food industry is not required but is considered an advantage. Preference is given to candidates with experience gained through internships, placements, or self-initiated work within operations or technical roles.

Personal Attributes

•Enthusiasm & Willingness to Learn: Open to new experiences and eager to acquire knowledge in the meat processing industry.

•Confidence & Assertiveness: Able to communicate assertively and stand their ground when addressing quality issues while maintaining amicable relationships with colleagues.

•Resilience: Comfortable working in a challenging environment, including exposure to abattoirs and carcass locations.

We will be looking for alignment with our Core Values:

Responsibility – Ability to work on your own initiative and take accountability for your actions

Ambition – You will have the willingness and confidence to challenge yourself to be the best you can be and be driven to succeed

Passion for Food – this is at the heart of everything we do, you must be passionate about every aspect of our industry

Teamwork – ability to build positive relationships quickly with people from all cultures and career stages is pivotal

Benefits:
• Employee Discount Scheme
• Service-Related Annual Leave
• Discounted Health Insurance
• Educational Assistance/ L&D
• Discounted Meat Products
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee assistance programme