Laboratory Supervisor

Our Story

Dairygold is Ireland’s largest farmer-owned co-operative. Our unique location, referenced as the Golden Vale, is home to nutrient rich pasture lands that stretch across the valleys of Munster, where our farmer shareholders produce quality-assured, naturally sourced raw materials. Combining our deep-rooted farming tradition with our nutritional expertise and technology, we have grown to be a global player that supplies the global market with the highest quality premium cheese and dairy ingredients. With headquarters in Mitchelstown, Cork and operations in other locations in Ireland, Europe and worldwide, Dairygold processes 1.38 billion litres of milk a year, with an annual turnover of E1.4 billion. The society is structured across three imperative divisions; food ingredients, agri business including retail, that drive and support our farmers and business. Through smart investments in research, innovation and world-leading facilities, we produce premium ingredients from our quality raw material and add value at every point in the production chain. Our sustainable farming practices and position as leaders in dairy nutrition will ensure we achieve our vision that echoes through the co-operative, we will feed and nourish the growing world. 

About the Opportunity

With a focus on community and support network behind them, our employees feel confident and motivated to challenge themselves and grow with the business. Dairygold Co-Operative Society Limited is now pleased to invite applications for the position of 

Laboratory Supervisor in the Milk Payment Testing Laboratory in Mallow - 1 Year Fixed Term Contract for Maternity Cover.

 Our laboratory is INAB accredited and CLAS compliant. We are seeking a motivated and detailed-oriented Milk Payments Laboratory Supervisor to oversee the daily operations of our milk testing laboratory. The successful candidate will ensure accurate milk analysis, maintain quality and safety standards, supervise laboratory staff and support efficient laboratory workflow essential for milk payment testing. 

Core responsibilities for this role include but are not limited to:

• Team Management & Leadership: Interview, train, and mentor lab technicians, ensuring adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs). Supervise daily laboratory operations and coordinate workflow schedules.
• Quality Assurance & Compliance: Ensure all lab procedures adhere to strict regulatory, accrediting, and safety guidelines. Maintain documentation, oversee quality control (QC) data, and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs). Comply with the requirement of the ISO 17025 standard as defined by procedures. Ensure accurate testing and analysis of milk samples in line with industry standards and company procedures.
• Operational Oversight: Monitor workflow, turnaround times, and sample integrity. Manage lab inventory, order supplies, and coordinate instrument maintenance or troubleshooting.
• Technical Support: Assist in validating new methodologies, conduct root cause investigations (accordance with CI philosophy). Liaise with internal departments and external stakeholders regarding laboratory results and operations.

Candidates for this position must possess:

• Experience in Food/Drinks/Pharmaceutical or Environmental Laboratory is desired.
• Excellent organizational, communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to effectively manage, engage and work as part of a team.
• Strong understanding of lab safety, quality assurance and regulatory compliance.
• Competence to plan and prioritise own work and the work of team.
• Results orientated, data driven, and customer focused with a proven record of achievement.
• Understanding of Customer service.
• A positive, can-do attitude.
• Computer literate with knowledge of Excel, Word or other MS packages.

Qualification required

• 3+ years experience in QC supervision or other relevant management in Dairy, Food, Pharma, or equivalent sector.
• 3rd level qualification in a science-based discipline.

What Dairygold will offer you:

• Be a part of ‘Our Strategy Our Future 2030’ which through significant investment in the appropriate infrastructure across the business has and continues to facilitate our growth ambitions.
• We offer our people an exciting and challenging career, with a supportive community of colleagues, and constant training and up-skilling opportunities.
• We have a competitive company pension scheme.
• Employee Loyalty Scheme.
• We pride ourselves on our culture and values.
• At Dairygold we are always focused on continuous improvement and innovation. All our colleagues are empowered to share new ideas.
• Zero Harm employee Safety initiatives