Process Engineer

The Process Engineer will play a key role in supporting manufacturing operations at Co. Kerry by providing technical expertise, driving process improvements, and ensuring production systems operate safely, efficiently, and in compliance with regulatory and company standards. The role involves collaborating with cross functional teams to optimise manufacturing performance, resolve technical issues, and support the successful delivery of operational and project objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide engineering and technical assistance to operations teams to help maintain efficient manufacturing and ensure production and project milestones are achieved on schedule.
• Oversee Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and other automation/control platforms within production areas, ensuring they remain compliant with site procedures while maintaining reliable system performance.
• Ensure GMP-compliant computerized systems are administered appropriately, protecting the integrity, accuracy, and traceability of all electronic data generated, updated, or stored.
• Take the lead in identifying and resolving equipment and process issues through structured troubleshooting, implementing both immediate corrective actions and sustainable long-term solutions.
• Drive the timely execution of Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs) arising from operational deviations and incidents, ensuring completion within agreed timelines.
• Support and manage initiatives focused on operational excellence, including process optimisation, cost reduction, waste minimisation, recycling improvements, and energy efficiency projects.
• Coordinate continuous improvement activities using Lean Six Sigma methodologies, facilitating improvement meetings, monitoring project progress, measuring outcomes, and reporting performance results.
• Participate in or lead technology transfer activities for the introduction of new manufacturing processes and technologies where required.
• Complete all assigned Learning Management System (LMS) training within established deadlines.
• Maintain compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP), ISO 14001, EMAS, environmental regulations, health and safety legislation, and all applicable company policies, standards, and procedures while supporting cross-functional compliance initiatives.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and practical experience.
• Demonstrated experience delivering engineering projects successfully, ideally within a comparable manufacturing or pharmaceutical environment.
• Strong technical knowledge of purification and filtration processes, process instrumentation, automation and control systems, equipment qualification, and process validation activities.
• Proven ability to independently deliver engineering projects, including design, commissioning, implementation, and ongoing maintenance within cGMP-regulated manufacturing facilities.
• Evidence of making significant technical contributions to engineering projects and achieving successful project outcomes.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills with Lean Six Sigma capability, preferably certified to Yellow Belt level or higher.

Preferred Qualifications & Experience

• Previous experience within pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Experience supporting or working in a cGMP startup or greenfield manufacturing environment.
• Practical knowledge of industrial automation systems such as Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) would be beneficial.