Operational Rotational Graduate Programme 2025 | Ireland

We are seeking to recruit for the 2025 Operational Rotational Graduate Programme across the following Kepak locations in Ireland:

• Clonee, Co.Meath
• Ballymahon, Co.Longford
• Watergrasshill, Co.Cork
• Ballybay, Co.Monaghan

Role Purpose

The Operations Graduate will embark on an intensive learning journey within our meat processing company, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the entire production process from procurement to sales. This role is designed to develop future leaders in the meat industry, with a strong emphasis on learning the end-to-end process of deconstructing an animal, understanding the value of each part, and mastering the operations that drive our business.

Key Responsibilities

1. End-to-End Process Learning: Rotate through various departments, including procurement, abattoir, by-product processing, warehouse, logistics, and sales, to gain hands-on experience and a deep understanding of each stage of the meat production process.
2. Presentation and Reporting: At the end of each rotation, present the acquired knowledge and insights to demonstrate an understanding of the operations.
3. Operational Involvement: Actively participate on the factory floor, learning each work station and the processes involved in breaking down the animal into prime and customer-specific cuts.
4. People Management: Develop skills in managing diverse teams and learning how to effectively communicate and lead in a multicultural environment.
5. Continuous Improvement: Engage in key projects such as data gathering, writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and process improvement initiatives.
6. Numerical Proficiency: Strong aptitude for working with numbers, crucial for understanding the yield, value, and financial aspects of meat processing.
7. Work Ethic: A strong work ethic is essential. Demonstrating a background in farming, manual labour, or consistent part-time work during studies is an advantage.
8. Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving skills, particularly in high-pressure environments where quick thinking and decision-making are required.
9. Teamwork: Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Other Role Information

• Location: Full-time on-site at our various processing plants, with the possibility of travel to other locations for specialized learning.

• Progression: The program will involve 90% factory floor experience and 10% office-based work initially, with a gradual increase in office responsibilities as the graduate progresses.

• Assessment: The graduate will be assessed through presentations and practical demonstrations of their understanding at each stage of the process.

Our Graduate programme allows dynamic, motivated, hardworking, and passionate Graduates an opportunity to start their career with one of Ireland & UKs leading meat businesses. The programme lasts 2 years.

You can expect:

• To be fully immersed into our Culture from day 1, working alongside key industry experts and Kepak leaders.
• An opportunity to work in various departments across the business with a rotation plan tailored to your development.
• Gain an in-depth understanding of our brands and products, and our relationships with customers and consumers.
• The opportunity to develop personally and professionally through exposure to key projects, tasks and development activities that challenge you.
• A dedicated mentor and development program to support you both on the programme and into a role that best fits your skills.

Starting Salary– €32,000 with an up to €2,000 increase at the start of Year 2 to €34,000.

We are looking for hardworking and ambitious Graduates, who want to learn and grow in a challenging and fast-paced environment.

You must be mobile and willing to travel throughout the programme to undertake development activities at any of our sites in the UK and Ireland.

We will consider undergraduates from all disciplines and backgrounds.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

1. Educational Background: Open to graduates from all disciplines. However, Agriculture, Engineering, Food and Agri-business Management, Animal Science, Food Science, and related fields are preferable.
2. Professional Experience: Experience in food or agriculture, whether through summer jobs, part-time work, or full-time roles is advantageous, but not required.
3. Skills: Ability to learn and identify different cuts of meat and their value.
4. Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with people of different nationalities and backgrounds.

Personal Attributes

1. Driven and Ambitious: A desire to build a long-term career in the meat industry.
2. Eager to Learn: A proactive approach to learning, with a willingness to seek out information.
3. Resilience: Comfortable working in a challenging environment.

We will be looking for alignment with our Core Values:

1. Responsibility– Ability to work on your own initiative and take accountability for your actions.
2. Ambition– Willingness and confidence to challenge yourself to be the best you can be.
3. Passion for Food– You must be passionate about every aspect of our industry.
4. Teamwork– Ability to build positive relationships quickly with people from all cultures and career stages.