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.

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.

Further Information

• Food Safety Consultant - from: N.C.S. [UK]

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

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.

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.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Training & Development Pathways

FET Centre Traineeship: Quality Management (Quality Assurance), Supervisory management Management in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Applied Biology - Food Health & Nutrition, Dietics, Nutrition & Food Science, Food & Bio Sciences, Food Science, Nutrition Dietetics & Food-Science, Pre-University Food Science, Nutrition, Health and Well-Being, Pre-University Science - Food Science & Nutrition at NFQ Level 5 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Retail Supervision, Logistics, Supply chain, Lab Tech, Lab Analyst Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-9 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Agri-Food Production, Agri-Food Production, Food Management & Entrepreneurship, Food Science, Food Science & Health, Food Science & Management, Food Science & Nutrition, Food Science with Business, Science - Food Science NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development

Postgraduate Study Options Food Safety Management, Food - Speciality Food Production, Designing Food Safety Management Systems, Agriculture & Food Science, Applied Biology - Food Health & Nutrition, Biosystems & Food Engineering, Climate Change Agriculture & Food Security NFQ level 9-10

FSAI Food Safety Authority of Ireland

Bord Bia

EHAI Envionmental Health Associ of Ireland

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €34k - €59k

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

Data Source(s):
Neuvoo/ Payscale/ Sigmar/ CPL / Morgan McKinley/ PAS

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 employment growth rate was almost on a par with the national average, although employment levels did not change between 2021 and 2022. There was a high share of non-Irish citizens, at 41%. The volume of employment permits issued in 2022 grew strongly compared to 2021, with the reintroduction of quotas for meat processing operatives.

There was also a high volume of vacancies for meat processing operatives advertised through DSP Jobs Ireland. Difficult-to-fill vacancies for food operatives occurred in the Recruitment Agency Survey and Skills for Growth data, although small in numbers. Targets to reduce agricultural carbon emissions are likely to see demand for this occupation curtailed, although issues with recruitment may persist due to the perceived attractiveness of some of the roles in this group.

• Environmental Health Association Ireland - EHAI

  • Heraghty House 4 Carlton Terrace Novara Avenue Bray Co Wicklow Ireland
  • (01) 276 1211
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Health and Safety Authority

  • The Metropolitan Building, James Joyce St. Dublin 1
  • 1890 289 389
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Bord Bia

  • Clanwilliam Court Lower Mount Street. Dublin 2
  • (01) 668 5155
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here