Head of Milling and Grain New

Reports To: General Manager, Agribusiness & Member Trading

Direct Reports: Production, Maintenance, Grain Operations, Logistics, Nutrition, Continuous Improvement, Analytical Services

Qualification: Third-level qualification in Food Science & Technology, Business, Engineering, or related field

Experience: 10+ years’ relevant operational leadership experience

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Purpose of the Role

The Head of Milling & Grain is responsible for leading, optimising, and developing all milling and grain operations across multiple sites. The role carries full accountability for production performance, quality, supply chain efficiency, safety, and customer service. A key focus is driving a high-performing team culture, ensuring regulatory compliance, and delivering strategic operational improvements across the milling and grain portfolio.

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Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

- Develop and implement operational strategies aligned with divisional objectives.
- Lead site operations plans and performance reviews across all milling and grain functions.
- Oversee capital planning, asset management, and operational footprint development.
- Promote a strong customer-focused culture and empower teams in delivering service excellence.

People Management & Performance

- Lead integrated S&OP processes, ensuring cross-functional alignment and accountability.
- Define and monitor KPIs to drive performance improvement and operational excellence.
- Manage budgets (P&L, OPEX, CAPEX) and enforce disciplined cost control.
- Build strong teams with effective succession planning and employee engagement initiatives.

Continuous Improvement & Compliance

- Lead Continuous Improvement, AMIS, UFAS, and IGAS programmes.
- Drive sustainability, energy efficiency, and process optimisation initiatives.
- Ensure full compliance with State, EU, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
- Lead change management programmes in line with business and culture strategies.

Grain Operations

- Oversee grain scheduling, drying, storage, and quality management across sites.
- Lead infrastructure upgrades and lifecycle replacement projects.
- Ensure HACCP compliance and maintain high-quality feed production standards.
- Manage end-to-end feed supply chain performance.

Environmental Health & Safety

- Champion a Zero Harm culture and ensure compliance with all EPA licence conditions.
- Promote safe working practices and lead incident management and reporting.
- Implement safety culture programmes and continuous improvement in safety behaviours.

Communication & Engagement

- Drive strong communication practices across all milling and grain teams.
- Strengthen engagement with customers, members, contractors, and internal stakeholders.
- Provide strategic insights and operational updates to senior leadership.

Credit & Financial Management

- Monitor customer accounts and ensure adherence to credit policies and payment terms.

Maintenance & Asset Care

- Lead implementation of IGMS to achieve world-class maintenance standards.
- Apply CI tools to improve materials, operations, and quality performance.

Quality & Compliance

- Ensure full compliance with all regulations governing feed production and delivery.
- Lead hygiene, quality assurance, and calibration programmes across all sites.

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Key Skills & Competencies

- Proven ability to lead large-scale operations and capital projects.
- Strong commercial acumen and customer-centric approach.
- Excellent communication, influencing, and relationship-building skills.
- Skilled in leading teams, driving engagement, and implementing organisational change.
- Strong problem solving and decision-making ability.
- Technically capable and committed to high performance standards.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced matrix environment and managing ambiguity.
- Proficient in ERP systems, reporting tools, Microsoft Office, and AI-enabled platforms.
- Commitment to continuous personal learning and development.

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Key Performance Indicators

- Zero Harm and safety metrics
- EPA audit results
- Spend vs budget across milling, grain, and labour
- Operational efficiency (including OEE)
- CI and cost reduction project delivery
- Compliance audit outcomes
- Capital project delivery and implementation

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Key Stakeholders & Collaborators

- General Manager, Agribusiness & Member Trading
- Revenue & Commercial teams
- Business Development, Digital & Innovation
- Member Trading teams
- HR and H&S teams
- Retail Operations and branch management
- Agri site teams, grain satellite sites
- Inside Sales, Agri Leads, and Technical Advisors

For more information please contact Christina Keating on [email protected]

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