Head of Food Safety and Quality - Retail Manufacturing

About the role

Kepak, a leading European food company, is seeking a senior leader to direct food safety, quality assurance and regulatory compliance for its Retail Packing operations within the Meat Division Ireland. This role combines strategic vision with hands‑on operational oversight to ensure the highest standards across eight manufacturing sites.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute food safety and quality strategies aligned with corporate goals.
• Lead compliance with HACCP, BRC, animal welfare and other regulatory requirements.
• Manage the Food Safety and Quality Management System (QMS) and drive successful audit outcomes.
• Partner with Health & Safety teams to embed a safety‑first culture.
• Identify, assess and mitigate operational risks, supporting business continuity planning.
• Champion customer and supplier standards, ensuring site processes meet expectations.
• Foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement among site teams.

Required profile

• Proven senior leadership experience in food safety, quality or regulatory compliance within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of food industry regulations and standards (HACCP, BRC).
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to drive change, influence cross‑functional teams and deliver results.

Required skills

• HACCP implementation
• BRC certification processes
• Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS)
• Quality Management Systems (QMS)
• Risk Management
• Business Continuity Planning