Food Safety&quality Graduate Programme, Dairy

Food Safety & Quality Graduate 

Start Date: September 2026 

Locations: Charleville, Listowel

At Kerry Dairy Ireland, we’re proud of our heritage and passionate about our future. As a leading provider of dairy solutions across Ireland and Europe, we’re committed to nourishing lives through quality, sustainability, and innovation. We’re looking for ambitious graduates who want to make a real impact in a business that blends tradition with transformation. 

This is a permanent, full-time role that begins with a structured 12-month graduate programme. You’ll gain hands-on experience in one of our core business areas while contributing to real projects from day one. You’ll build deep functional expertise in your chosen area, supported by experienced mentors and a close-knit graduate community. 

If you’re curious, collaborative, and ready to grow your career in a purpose-driven environment, Kerry Dairy Ireland is the place to start. 

Our Food Safety& Quality Programme 

 Our Food, Safety & Quality Graduate Development Program is designed to be challenging, providing comprehensive training, practical experience, and knowledge across various quality and food safety activities and systems at our production facilities. You will collaborate closely with Operations, Supply Chain, and Engineering, and the broader KDI network. You will receive mentorship and leadership support to ensure your development stays on track. 

What You Might Be Doing 

Your responsibilities may include:

• Quality and Food Safety Projects 

• Key Performance Indicators: Establish, track, trend, and act. 

• Auditing and Inspections 

• Quality Control: Develop product specifications, analytical procedures, sampling programs, and control systems to ensure they meet system capabilities and key consumer requirements. 

• Engage in Live Quality and Safety Projects 

• Implement and Analyse Designed Experiments and Capability Studies 

• Conduct Risk Assessments 

• Manage, Update, and Enhance Quality and Safety Systems 

Do you have what it takes?

• You’re currently pursuing or have recently graduated with a degree, ideally in Food Technology, Chemistry, Health Safety, Biotechnology, Science or another related field. 

• You’re ambitious, curious, and can’t wait to put your talents into action.

• You’re open minded, agile, and willing to embrace opportunities.

• You’re a graduate or a soon-to-be graduate.

• You’re fluent in English and ideally another language.

• You’re eligible to permanently work in the location you’re applying to*

• You’re open to traveling and relocating. 

Submit your application only for the program of your interest. Any multiple applications will be withdrawn. 

Discover Your Future with Kerry Dairy Ireland

Kerry Dairy Ireland is a vertically integrated farm-to-fork business with a very substantial retail presence and a leading nutritional and dairy ingredients division, delivering high-quality dairy solutions with a focus on sustainability and innovation. From partnering with local family farms to producing world-class dairy products, we ensure every step of our value chain reflects our commitment to excellence.

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 from food, for food culture and deep-rooted connection to our 2,800 milk suppliers differentiates our business and offers captivating opportunities for our customers and consumers.

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 while 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 28 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.