Job Title: Head of ESG, Kerrygold Park
Reports to: Managing Director, Kerrygold Park
Location: Mitchelstown, Co. Cork, Ireland

Company Background

Ornua is a dairy co-operative which sells dairy products on behalf of its members, Ireland’s dairy processors and, in turn, Irish dairy farmers. It is Ireland’s largest exporter of Irish dairy products, exporting to 110 countries worldwide. Headquartered in Dublin, Ornua has annualised sales of over €3.5 billion and a global team of 3,000 employees.

Ornua is structured across two divisions: Ornua Foods and Ornua Ingredients. We operate from 10 business units worldwide, including 16 production facilities, and have sales and marketing teams working in-market across the globe in Africa, Asia, Germany, Ireland, the Middle East, Spain, the UK, and the US.

You may know us by our brands Kerrygold, Dubliner, Pilgrim’s Choice, Avantage, Forto, and BEO.

Ornua’s Values

At Ornua, our Values lie at the core of everything that we do and how we behave both individually and as a business. Our five values, and their underlying behaviours, encourage us to Seek and Embrace New Ideas , Make It Happen , Be Our True Selves , Show You Care and Achieve Great Things Together.

Ornua’s Growth

At Ornua, our co-operative ethos lies at the heart of how we do business. We care passionately about driving sustainable, profitable growth, underpinned by our ambitious ‘Path to Prosper’ strategy. We have delivered significant growth in our core business, and we have ambitious plans for continued growth over the next five years.

Why This Role Is Valuable

The Head of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is a critical leadership role responsible for driving sustainable practices within the Kerrygold manufacturing business. This individual will champion ESG initiatives, ensuring compliance with regulations and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship.

Key Areas of Responsibility

ESG Strategy and Implementation
Develop and execute a comprehensive ESG strategy for Kerrygold Park aligned with the organization's goals.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate ESG practices into manufacturing processes.
Monitor progress, track key performance indicators (KPIs), and report on ESG metrics.

Environmental Stewardship:
Oversee waste reduction, and energy efficiency efforts.
Implement sustainable practices related to water usage, emissions, and resource conservation.
Explore renewable energy options and eco-friendly technologies.
Social Responsibility
Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the manufacturing workforce.
Engage with local communities and stakeholders to foster positive relationships
Governance and Transparency
Ensure transparency in reporting ESG performance to internal and external stakeholders.
Collaborate with legal and compliance teams to address regulatory requirements.

Collaboration and Leadership:
Lead a team of ESG professionals, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Collaborate with senior management, operations, and supply chain teams to embed ESG principles throughout the organization.

Key Skills / Attributes

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Business, or related field (Master's preferred).
Minimum of 8 years of experience in ESG, sustainability, Operational Excellence or related roles within manufacturing.
Strong understanding of ESG frameworks (e.g., GRI, SASB, TCFD).
Excellent communication skills and ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
Passion for sustainability and a commitment to making a positive impact.

Ornua Competencies
EXPERTISE As a strategic lead, applies effective professional skill, analysis, decision making, planning and reviewing. FORWARD LOOKING: Inspires and drives change. Drives cross functional strategic plans. OWNERSHIP: Makes decisions about sustainable growth and/or manages performance and ensures that quality and delivery of others’ work; rewards and recognises success. WORKING TOGETHER: Creates and reinforces a collaborative culture within and across the organisation and set up strategic alliances/partnerships.

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