Ornua (meaning “new gold”) is Ireland’s largest exporter of Irish dairy products, proudly bringing the unique taste of Irish dairy to the world for over 55 years.Ornua Europe Ingredients is located in, Ávila, Spain and is home to a modern state-of-the-art cheese production facility. The result of a €30 million investment, the 35,000-tonne processing plant has significantly increased Ornua’s pizza cheese making capacity and capabilities.Are you a recent graduate looking to kick-start your career?A New Product Development (NPD) Graduate in the food industry plays a hands-on role in shaping future food innovations while learning the ins and outs of product design, formulation, and commercialization. Here are some typical responsibilities:
Support the development of new food products from concept through to launch, including recipe formulation, ingredient sourcing, and sensory testing Assist with product trials and pilot plant runs, ensuring alignment with technical specifications and food safety standards Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, production, procurement, and quality assurance, to bring products to market efficiently Conduct competitor and market research to identify trends, consumer preferences, and innovation opportunities Help maintain product documentation, including specifications, costing, and lab reports Engage in continuous improvement projects, optimizing existing product recipes or processes for cost, taste, or sustainability Participate in customer presentations and internal taste panels, gathering feedback for product refinement Ensure regulatory and nutritional compliance in line with regional food legislationWhy Ornua?Ornua operates from 10 business units worldwide, including 12 production facilities, and has sales and marketing teams working in-market across all four corners of the globe.The Group is structured across two divisions:
Ornua Foods and Ornua Ingredients.Ornua Foods is responsible for the marketing and sales of Ornua’s consumer brands including Kerrygold, Pilgrims Choice.While our Ornua Ingredients businesses are geographically spread across the world, we pride ourselves on our ability to work collaboratively and cross-geographically.Our co-operative ethos lies at the heart of how we do business as a purpose and values-led organisation, creating value for Irish dairy farming families.Our Values lie at the core of everything we do. Our five values encourage us to Seek and Embrace New Ideas, Make It Happen, Be Our True Selves, Show You Care, and Achieve Great Things Together.We invest in our people and foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.Career Progression including Global Mobility opportunities.Comprehensive Benefits with regional specific offerings.Dynamic Working policy in place which facilitates flexible hours and hybrid workingA comprehensive induction programmeMentoring from our experienced leadersAn excellent support network of current and former Graduate TraineesWhat we are looking for?Recent graduate or final-year student in Food Science or a related field.Strong problem-solving and communication skills.Passion for efficiency, process improvement, and working with cross-functional teams.Fluency in English (additional languages are a plus).Willingness to learn, grow, and take on challengesPlease be aware that applications will close on 3rd July