There was a lot of sharply dressed and slick soon-to-be ag graduates meeting and greeting prospective employers at this year’s UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science and Human Nutrition careers day on Tuesday of last week.

Irish Country Living was there too, trying to squeeze in a chat with the recruiters, most of whom were busy engaging with the students. On the next few pages, we’ve summarised many of the opportunities being showcased on the day.

Two roles available at Lely

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Lely is a Dutch-based company, founded in 1948, that came to the attention of many thanks to its robotic milking machine at this year’s Ploughing. Lely is currently recruiting to fill two positions: a farm management support role and an engineering role (the official title for this position, which was advertised on these very pages recently, is Agricultural Area Service Manager).

“The candidates will be on the road as the positions are predominantly field-based as we support customers locally,” says Lely sales manager, Aidan Fallon.

“Remuneration is based on the candidate’s experience. Candidates will also get a company car and a laptop, though it all depends on the role. We’ve created over 20 jobs in Ireland in the last two-and-a-half years and we feel that this trend will continue.”

Lely will also be recruiting for sales roles and technical support roles at the end of the year.

Five positions in Kildare Chilling

Kildare Chilling, which is based in Kildare town, has five positions for graduates. The processor will be holding an open day focusing on its graduate programme next month.

Successful candidates will receive offers before their degree ends and will begin working shortly after their exams.

“We are looking for people who have an interest in the processing of beef and lamb,” says David O’Reilly of O’Reilly Recruitment.

“The idea is that graduates will go on to become trainee managers. We have a 90% retention rate when it comes to graduates.”

Data Reporting Analysts sought

ICBF is looking for graduates with an interest in IT development. ICBF is especially interested in ag graduates who may have completed IT-related modules and who are looking to develop their skills further in the area of software development. Specifically, it is looking for “Database Reporting Analysts” to help develop and produce new reports that will allow customers to make more informed animal breeding decisions. Candidates will be based in the head office in Bandon. Interested applicants should forward their CV to Graduate Recruitment, ICBF, Highfield House, Shinagh, Bandon, Co Cork.

Three graduate positions at Irish Country Meats

Irish Country Meats is the biggest lamb processors in the country. The company produces and markets a full range of sheepmeat products, from traditional carcase to new ready-to-cook and formulated lamb products. Its headquarters are in Camolin, Co Wexford, but Irish Country Meats also has a plant in Navan. In 2011, the processor also acquired Belgian specialist lamb processor, A. Lonhienne s.p.r.l. This production facility provides Irish Country Meats with a distribution platform in northern Europe. Three graduates were taken on last year and the plan is to take on three this year as well. The graduate programme is a structured one-year training programme that runs from June and takes candidates through the whole process of sales, marketing, quality and other functions.Irish Country Meats say it is their intention that each participant will become a full-time, permanent employee and build their career within the company. Email careers@irishcountyrmeats.com.

Academic roles with industry links

Established in 2008, Food for Health Ireland (FHI) is a technology centre which identifies novel ingredients coming from milk to develop functional food ingredients which will offer health benefits to consumers.

The research is focused on infant nutrition, performance nutrition, and healthy aging amongst other areas. FHI is funded by Enterprise Ireland and, not surprisingly, by the major players in the dairy industry; Carbery, Dairygold Food Ingredients, Glanbia Foods, Kerry and the Irish Dairy Board.

“We’re looking to develop the next functional food such as Benecol,” says communications manager Claire MacEvilly.

“Our work gives people an insight into how to turn science and research into a food product. We’re looking for research assistants and PhD and Masters’ students. People who work with us get a good chance to forge links within the industry. Even though engaged in academic work, our staff are very much exposed to the commercial world. We had 17 PhD candidates who have all gone on to jobs.”

Claire mentions there are also more senior opportunities available with FHI. Upcoming PhD and Masters positions will be advertised on the FHI website (www.fhi.ie) in the coming weeks.

AnalyticalScience grads required

Norbrook is looking for Analytical Science graduates for its Quality Control department. Successful candidates will predominantly be engaged in lab-based quality control analysis.

Last year, Norbrook took on over 100 graduates.

“We look at people with any science background,” says Norbrook’s recruitment executive Aisling McGineley.”

We’ll conduct interviews and should there be a suitable vacancy for that person in a particular department, we’ll place them there. We receive 20 to 30 requests a week for placements and work experience.”

Keenan’s

Keenan’s is recruiting for sales roles, customer service roles, marketing roles and nutritionists. Interviews will take place in April-May, while the programme begins in July-August. Candidates will be based primarily in Carlow and the starting salary is €20,000. Keenan’s is looking for somebody focused, while a farming background is always beneficial.

Autumn start at Kepak

Kepak is currently recruiting six to 10 graduates for its 12-month graduate programme.

Trainees can expect exposure to operations, sales, purchasing and lean management during their initial year with the company. There is also an opportunity to move up the ladder with the company, as Kepak has a high retention rate of graduates. Applications are being accepted now and Kepak will be conducting telephone screening in March and April.

It’s a two- to three-stage interview process and candidates will begin working in late autumn. Send your application to recruitment@kepak.com.

Graduate positions at Lakeland Dairies

Lakeland Dairies say there are between four to eight positions available on its graduate programme this year.

As is so often the case with jobs in the agri-food sector, it’s not just candidates from an ag science background that are sought.

While Lakeland are seeking applications from those with a background in food science, human nutrition and agri-science, they are also looking for information technology graduates, supply chain and logistics graduates, and engineering graduates.

Crucially, however, the closing date is tomorrow, 28 February.

This graduate programme runs for two years. Graduates will complete rotational placements across various areas of the business, usually in departments relevant to their qualification.

At the same time, they will complete a Diploma in Management with the Irish Management Institute.

Each participant will be assigned a mentor in the relevant departments, together with assistance from a graduate programme co-ordinator to review and discuss progress.

The starting salary will be disclosed to successful graduates when an offer is being made.

Visit http://www.lakeland.ie/graduate-programme for more information.