Operational Capability Specialist

Operational Capability Specialist

Kilkenny Cheese Ltd

Role Summary

Kilkenny Cheese is a joint venture between Tirlan and Dutch family business Royal A-ware, a 130-year-old company with strong positions in EU and global markets. The facility has started up in 2024 as a greenfield site at Belview, Co Kilkenny.

Rooted in our rich heritage of family farming and embedded in our communities, Tirlan has evolved to bring the passion of our farmers and their high-quality ingredients to the international marketplace. Using modern-day technology and applying the best processes to our milk pool of three billion litres, we now export innovative products and tailored ingredients solutions to be enjoyed in more than 100 countries.

Royal A-ware is a traditional Dutch family business with a passion for food and with a strong entrepreneurial attitude. Demand-led, we offer our clients tailored products and services. In recent years investments have been made in the development and management of own supply chains resulting in independence, efficiency, and flexibility. We are specialized in producing, ripening, cutting, and packaging cheese, and also produce and package cream and fresh dairy products.

Based in Belview in South Kilkenny, the role reports to the Operations Manager. The Operational Capability Specialist plays a key role in planning, delivering, and managing learning and development activities across the organisation. This includes training administration, LMS oversight, compliance monitoring, and supporting continuous improvement. A key focus of this role is ensuring adherence to Standardised Work, updating SOPS and maintaining compliance, and embedding high‑quality training practices that support operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Schedule and co‑ordinate training sessions (virtual, in‑person, onboarding, compliance).
• Maintain the training calendar and communicate updates to all stakeholders.
• Manage logistics such as venues, materials, technology, and attendance tracking.
• Ensure training documentation is filed and maintained according to SOPs.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to better understand learning needs and opportunities; utilise findings to develop and drive a comprehensive training framework
• Identify Subject Matter Experts within departments, across teams and develop their skills in knowledge transfer and coaching
• Conduct Training Needs Analysis and work with SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) to develop and implement learning solutions
• Evaluate and establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for all core training initiatives and delivery systems to ensure they are meeting objectives and delivering value to business in the context of continuous improvement
• Support trainers with preparation, content updates, and session delivery.
• Ensure training materials follow Standardised Work formats and approved templates.
• Implement SOP‑aligned processes for training sign‑off, assessments, and evaluation.
• Gather and analyse training feedback and recommend process improvements
• Upload, assign, and track training courses in line with SOP requirements on LMS system
• Maintain accurate digital records and ensure system data integrity.
• Generate compliance, completion, and audit‑ready reports.
• Support employees with access, navigation, and troubleshooting.
• Monitor and report on SOP training adherence and expiration management.
• Maintain “audit-ready” documentation aligned with standardised work practices.
• Support the creation, revision, and rollout of SOPs where training input is required

Requirements

• Experience working within audited or compliance‑focused environments
• Qualification in HR, Training, Business, Quality, or related discipline (preferred).

• Experience and understanding of training systems and best practice (identification of training needs, design and delivery through to evaluation methods)
• Experience with LMS
• Knowledge of Operation/Manufacturing process, regulatory requirements / auditing / GMP

Person Profile

• • Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills
  • Excellent planning and organising skills
  • Ability to work across all levels and departments within the organisation

Send an up to date CV to apply