Head Of Category Proteins And Dairy Powders

Head of Category - Protein and Dairy Powders

Tirlán, is a world-class food and nutrition co-operative, with a diverse portfolio of quality ingredients, leading consumer and agri brands.

Tirlán owns leading brands such as Avonmore, Kilmeaden Cheese, Millac, Solmiko, Truly Grass Fed, Premier Milk, Wexford, mymilkman.ie and GAIN Animal Nutrition.

We nurture a talented team across Ireland, the US, MEA and China, delivering annual revenues of over €3 billion, and over 2,300 people to manage our network of 11 processing plants and 52 agri branches. Our purpose is to nourish the world, while safeguarding our environment for future generations.

Role Profile

The Head of Category is a senior leadership role and the P&L owner who is responsible for the commercial profitability of the all the products within the category.

Leading and developing a team of category managers, product managers and pricing experts, the Head of Category sets the direction, vision and strategy for the category, balancing growth and profitability. The Head of Category works with the sales team to translate the category strategy into a go to market strategy. Working closely with Insights and Marketing to ensure our product range meets future needs.

The Head of Category is required to champion the category, while ensuring cross functional alignment with all functions, at strategic and operational level.

This role requires the ability to direct product innovation, lead investment strategy and make balanced supply planning decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Set the strategic plan for the category balancing value add with milk growth requirements.
• Get alignment and manage expectation from the business on this balance.
• Set and deliver the targeted returns on the value add products, in collaboration with wider commercial leadership team.
• Reduce risk on milk driven products by aligning returns to a market index or low risk model.
• Balance S&OP to best available returns and strategic priority.
• Align long term planning and annual budgets to strategic plan.
• Direct investments and support development of business cases.
• Manage and support the internal business requirements within the category and support the interaction of the market facing commercial team back into the business.

Category Products

• Acid Casein
• Fat Filled Milk Powder
• Lactose
• Milk Protein
• Rennet casein
• Whey Protein Isolate
• Whey Protein Concentrate

Key Requirements

• The successful candidate will possess strong collaboration skills, strategic and commercial acumen and ability to lead and develop a team.
• Clear communication and timely decision making are critical.
• Ability to create clear coherent strategies.
• Can work with cross functional leaders in the business to achieve alignment on business KPIs and strategic direction.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Agility
• Drive for results
• Organisational agility
• Developing others
• Dealing with paradox

 Closing date 16th January 2026

About us

Through our expertise in research and development, customer insights, food safety and state-of-the-art manufacturing we bring innovative food and nutrition solutions to a global market. Our new and vibrant headquarters in Kilkenny City operates as a collaboration hub where multi-functional teams come together in a hybrid work environment.

Commitment to Diversity & InclusionWe believe in the value of difference. We know that different perspectives, life experience and backgrounds can drive innovation and deliver growth.

We welcome people from all walks of life without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, or disability status. 

Join our Talent Pool

Considering a new career in Tirlán but this isn’t the role for you? Join our talent community and sign up for job notifications at www.tirlan.com/careers

Tirlán is a Values Based Organisation