Food Drink and Agri Innovation Hub Manager

The Competition The purpose of this recruitment campaign is to form a panel for Kildare County Council from which a fixed 3 year post will be filled for a Food, Drink and Agri Innovation Hub Manager.

The Candidate It is desirable that candidates demonstrate through their application form and at the interview that they have: • Possess a relevant third level qualification in business or equivalent discipline; • Possess a minimum of five years relevant post graduate experience in development of Food, Drink or Agri businesses. • Possess excellent knowledge and understanding of economic development and the evolving economic development landscape both nationally and locally of the industry. • Demonstrate the ability to work in partnership with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders. • Have experience in data analytics to include the collection, interpretation, application and presentation of data from a wide variety of sources. • Have experience in developing, promoting, and delivering relevant strategic and sustainable programs. • Demonstrate a very strong competence in the management of staff and working and leading multi-disciplinary teams. • Be highly organised with an ability to prioritise tasks and work in a dynamic environment. • Have very strong interpersonal and communication skills;

• Demonstrate a very good understanding of financial systems and procedures, identifying funding streams and grant sources;

Duties and Responsibilities The Food, Drink and Agri Innovation Hub Manager will be responsible for the delivery of a range of assigned functions within the division including: • Assist with the establishment and promotion of the Athy Food, Drink and Agri Innovation Hub. • The overall day to day management of the facility including Timeshare Incubator Kitchen, Food Production Unit, Skills Hub, Co Working Zone, Community Food Discovery Centre and in-house hospitality • Manage and develop the Flavours of Kildare food business network to promote local and micro SME producers, processers and service providers through marketing initiatives and projects such as the Flavours of Kildare food directory. • Act as a mentor and specialist advisory to the sector . • identify initiatives, projects, educational and training gaps within the industry. • Co-ordinate a comprehensive programme of training and management development courses/events as well as reviewing and evaluating the impact of all training initiatives. • Be the point of contact between external producers, agencies and the Local Enterprise Office/KCC. • Develop partnerships with external resources including local food and drink producers, Food Tech and Agri Companies, business associations/networks and educational providers. • Identify potential funding opportunities and income streams for the hub and clients. • Oversee the development of the digital media and marketing strategy. • Develop and maintain a database of food and drink producers, and Agri companies. • Develop, deliver and communicate the Food/Drink and Hub strategy. • Oversee financial management aspects of the Hub including procurement, preparation of all relevant documents for end of year financial reporting, audit and compliance process. • Compiling, preparing and presenting reports as necessary to a variety of stakeholders. • Deputising for the Head of Enterprise & Economic Development or other senior grade when required. • Undertake other tasks or activities as may be directed under the auspices of the Director of Service by the Head of Enterprise , Tourism & Economic Development • Build sectoral capacity through emphasis on growth and scaling initiatives. • Promote an enterprise culture within the locality, promoting the potential of the Food, Drink and Agri sector to all sectors of the community. • Work with all relevant support agencies in the region and encourage and facilitate networking opportunities among tenant businesses and other food/drink/Agri businesses in the locality.

Qualifications

Character: Each candidate must be of good character.

Health: Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Education, Training and Experience etc.: It is desirable that each Candidate should, on the latest date for receipt of completed applications have: • A recognised third level qualification (level 7 in the National Framework of Qualifications) in a business or equivalent relevant discipline; • A minimum of 5 years relevant post graduate experience in the food; drink and/or Agri sector. This may include development experience in Local Government or equivalent; • Strong knowledge/experience of the food, drink and/or Agri sector. • An ability to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the principles of Economic Development generally, and, specifically, the role of Local Government in advancing Economic Development; • An ability to demonstrate an understanding of the challenges and opportunities (International, National and Local) facing businesses in Kildare; • Satisfactory experience of developing and maintaining effective partnerships and of engaging and influencing various stakeholders; • Satisfactory experience in managing projects; • An understanding of the roles and duties of managers in safety management in the workplace; • Excellent communication, interpersonal and reporting skills; • Excellent project management and organisation skills. • Excellent team building skills and demonstrated leadership skills, including experience in supervising staff and balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders. • Excellent stakeholder management, networking, client focused and relationship building skills.

Please supply copies of any certificates, diplomas or degrees you may have with the application form. If your qualification was obtained outside of Ireland, please supply a comparability statement with your application.

Driving Licence. Applicants should at the date of applying hold a full valid Irish /EU licence, for Class B vehicles, or a licence acceptable to NDLS for transfer to full Irish licence, (Link below). They must be a competent driver and, shall drive a car in the course of their duties and for this purpose provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority. The council must be indemnified on their insurance. Particulars of Employment The Post The post is wholetime (i.e., 35 hours per week) and appointment may be permanent or temporary.

Location This role will be based in the Food, Drink and Agri Innovation Hub in Athy. Kildare County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidates to any premises in use by the Council, now or in the future. The person appointed will be required to report to their place of work by their own means of transport and at their own expense.

Commencement Kildare County Council shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one month and if they fail to take up the appointment within such period, or such other longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, Kildare County Council shall not appoint them.

Working Hours The current working hours are 35 hours per week, the hours of work are 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Mondays to Fridays (rotas operate for lunchtime opening). Kildare County Council also has a flexi time system in operation, details of which are available from the Human Resources Section. The Council reserves the right to alter your hours of work from time to time. You may be required to work overtime on various occasions. Flexible working hours are a requirement for this role. All hours worked are subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, and the Organisation of Working Time Regulations, 2001. Kildare County Council requires employees to record their hours using a Clocking system.

Reporting Arrangements The Food, Drink and Agri Innovation Hub Manager will report directly to the appropriate supervisor in the Section or to any other employee of Kildare County Council as the Director of Services or other appropriate employee may designate for this purpose. A system of regular appraisal will be operated during employment, which will involve discussions between the employee and the line manager regarding performance and conduct.

Probationary Period of Employment Where a person is permanently appointed to Kildare County Council, the following provisions shall apply – a) there shall be a period after appointment takes effect, during which such a person shall hold the position on probation; b) such period shall be twelve months, but the Chief Executive may, at their discretion, extend such period; c) such a person shall cease to hold the position at the end of the period of probation, unless during this period the Chief Executive has certified that the service is satisfactory; d) the period at (a) above may be terminated on giving one weeks’ notice as per the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts; e) there will be assessments during the probationary period.

Remuneration €59,417 per annum to €72,069 per annum (maximum) €74,649 per annum (LSI 1) (after 3 years satisfactory service at maximum) €77,243trac per annum (LSI 2) (after 6 years satisfactory service at maximum) On appointment successful candidates will be placed on the first point of the salary scale. Appointment to a higher point of the salary scale may apply to candidates employed elsewhere in the public service, subject to verification of service history. Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath directly to the employees nominated bank account. The current wage pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment. Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions, e.g., P.A.Y.E. and P.R.S.I. Increments are paid annually subject to satisfactory attendance, conduct and performance and national agreements. Increments may be withheld if performance, attendance and/or conduct are not satisfactory