Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

The Work

In the milk-processing plants, the main duties include the supervision of the processing of milk into various dairy products, maintenance of records and accounts, quality control, quality assurance, development of new products, sales and services, and development of advisory services for suppliers.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Inspect food processing areas to ensure compliance with government regulations and standards for sanitation, safety, quality, and waste management.
• Check raw ingredients for maturity or stability for processing, and finished products for safety, quality, and nutritional value.
• Develop new or improved ways of preserving, processing, packaging, storing, and delivering foods, using knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, and other sciences.
• Test new products for flavor, texture, color, nutritional content, and adherence to government and industry standards.
• Stay up to date on new regulations and current events regarding food science by reviewing scientific literature.
• Evaluate food processing and storage operations and assist in the development of quality assurance programs for such operations.
• Confer with process engineers, plant operators, flavor experts, and packaging and marketing specialists to resolve problems in product development.
• Study the structure and composition of food or the changes foods undergo in storage and processing.
• Seek substitutes for harmful or undesirable additives, such as nitrites.
• Study methods to improve aspects of foods, such as chemical composition, flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, and convenience.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Naturalist

Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.

Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Entrants at managerial and supervisory levels are expected to hold a degree in a relevant discipline such as food science and technology or nutrition. Students who have completed courses in science may also be accepted providing that they have studied food science as part of their course.  

Employers may expect a degree in agriculture, horticulture, agricultural science, agricultural engineering or land and property management. Course are available throughout the country. 

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Animal care, Project & Supervisory Management in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Dairy management, Agri Business Management, Agriscience, Applied science, Animal care courses at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Agricultural mechanic, Farrier, Farm Tech & Farm management Science on offer at NFQ levels 6-7 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Agri Business-Dairy Management, Agri Business, Agri Science, Animal science, Agri-Biosciences, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Mechanisation, Agricultural Systems Technology, Sustainable Agriculture Agriculture and Environmental Management NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Food & Agri business, Agri-Analytics, Co-operatives Agri-Food & Sustainable Development, Agricultural Extension & Innovation, Agricultural Biotechnology NFQ level 9.

Teagasc also run relevant courses details of which can be found on their website.

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €3k - €70k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Teagasc/ Azon / Morgan McKinley

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The changes in classification as a result of the introduction of the new Labour Force Survey in 2017 are partly responsible for the strong employment growth rate for this occupation, although employment also grew strongly between 2019 and 2020, and continued to grow in 2022. Those employed are primarily female (69%), working full-time (90%), and over half (55%) held third-level qualifications. With a higher than average share of persons employed aged 55 years and older (31% compared to 19% for all occupations), replacement demand is likely to result in opportunities opening up for these roles even if employment growth slows.

There was a significant number of vacancies advertised online for clerical officer roles across the civil service and Government administration roles. However, recent job hires for 2022 far exceeded employment growth indicating that job churn is a feature of this occupation. While job openings are set to continue, upskilling and reskilling may also be required for those already employed in these occupations in order to reach targets set out in the Civil Service Renewal Plan 2024 in areas such as in digital skills.

• Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

  • Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
  • (01) 607 2000 Lo Call 1890 200 510
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Dairy Executives' Association

  • 33 Kildare Street, Dublin 2
  • (01) 676 1989
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here