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Technical & Quality Manager - Job Opportunity at Aine Chocolates Ltd

Cavan, Ireland
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: August 25, 2025
On-site
EUR 45,000 - 55,000 per year, considering the mid-level nature of the role, Irish regional market conditions, and the specialized requirements in food safety and quality management within the artisanal food sector

Benefits

Opportunity to work with artisanal handmade chocolate production, providing unique industry experience in premium confectionery manufacturing
Direct reporting relationship to Managing Director, offering high-level exposure and strategic decision-making involvement
Role in maintaining prestigious BRC certification standards, enhancing professional credentials in food safety management
Hands-on experience with HACCP implementation in specialty food manufacturing, valuable for career advancement
Involvement in regulatory compliance and audit management, building expertise in food law and standards

Key Responsibilities

Lead comprehensive Quality Management System operations including HACCP, BRC standards, and customer specifications, directly impacting company reputation and market position in premium chocolate manufacturing
Drive organizational excellence through staff training programs, internal audit coordination, and compliance reporting systems that ensure consistent product quality and regulatory adherence
Manage critical product quality parameters and food safety protocols that protect brand integrity and customer satisfaction in the competitive artisanal chocolate market
Oversee regulatory compliance including label approval and artwork verification, ensuring legal compliance while supporting marketing and brand development initiatives
Implement strategic corrective action programs based on customer complaint analysis and trend identification, driving continuous improvement and customer retention
Coordinate with regulatory bodies and manage audit processes, maintaining company standing and certification status essential for market access
Monitor and optimize plant performance metrics and environmental testing programs, ensuring operational efficiency and food safety standards
Champion Health & Safety initiatives while staying current with evolving food safety legislation, positioning the company ahead of regulatory changes

Requirements

Education

A degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related discipline

Experience

Experience in a similar food manufacturing quality/technical role

Required Skills

Strong knowledge of BRC, HACCP, and food legislation Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines

Certifications

BRC certification knowledge HACCP certification
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The artisanal and premium chocolate market is experiencing significant growth driven by consumer demand for high-quality, locally-sourced, and handcrafted products. This trend is particularly strong in Ireland and the UK, where consumers are increasingly willing to pay premium prices for authentic, small-batch chocolate products that emphasize traditional craftsmanship and natural ingredients. Food safety regulations are becoming increasingly stringent across the EU, with enhanced focus on traceability, allergen management, and environmental sustainability. Companies like Áine Chocolates must maintain rigorous quality standards to compete in premium markets while navigating complex regulatory landscapes that require specialized technical expertise. The specialty food manufacturing sector is experiencing consolidation pressure from larger manufacturers, making quality certification and operational excellence critical differentiators for independent producers. Companies that maintain BRC certification and demonstrate consistent quality management are better positioned for growth, partnerships, and market expansion opportunities.

Role Significance

Likely managing a small team of 2-4 quality assurance staff and providing training oversight to production employees, typical for a specialty food manufacturer with focused product lines and artisanal production methods.
This is a mid-level management position with significant operational responsibility and strategic impact on company quality standards. The direct reporting relationship to the Managing Director indicates substantial influence on company direction and the ability to drive quality initiatives across the organization.

Key Projects

Implementation and maintenance of BRC certification renewal processes Development of supplier quality assurance programs for locally-sourced ingredients Creation of customer-specific quality protocols for private label or contract manufacturing opportunities Environmental monitoring system optimization for chocolate production environments Regulatory compliance updates for EU food safety legislation changes

Success Factors

Deep understanding of chocolate manufacturing processes and the unique quality challenges associated with handcrafted confectionery production, including temperature control, ingredient quality, and shelf-life management in artisanal environments. Strong relationship-building capabilities with regulatory bodies, certification auditors, and customers, as the role requires managing external stakeholders who directly impact business operations and market access. Ability to balance rigorous food safety standards with the flexibility required in artisanal production environments, where batch-to-batch variations and seasonal ingredient changes require adaptive quality management approaches. Project management expertise to handle multiple concurrent initiatives including certification renewals, system updates, regulatory compliance projects, and continuous improvement programs within resource-constrained environments typical of specialty food manufacturers.

Market Demand

Moderate to high demand, as the combination of food science expertise, regulatory knowledge, and experience in artisanal food manufacturing represents a specialized skill set that is valuable but not oversaturated in the Irish market

Important Skills

Critical Skills

BRC and HACCP expertise are absolutely essential for maintaining the certifications required for market access and customer contracts in the food manufacturing industry. These standards represent the foundation of food safety management and are non-negotiable requirements for professional credibility and operational compliance in modern food production environments. Leadership and communication skills are critical for success in this role as the position requires managing staff training, coordinating with regulatory bodies, interfacing with customers on quality issues, and reporting to senior management on complex technical and compliance matters that directly impact business operations and strategic decision-making. Understanding of food legislation and regulatory compliance is essential given the dynamic nature of food safety regulations and the severe consequences of non-compliance. The ability to interpret and implement evolving regulations while maintaining operational efficiency is crucial for protecting the company from legal and financial risks.

Beneficial Skills

Project management certification or training would enhance the ability to handle multiple concurrent quality initiatives, certification renewals, and system improvements that are typical in quality management roles within growing specialty food companies. Knowledge of chocolate-specific manufacturing processes, including tempering, conching, and storage requirements, would provide additional value in understanding the unique quality challenges and control points specific to artisanal chocolate production environments. Experience with customer audits and supplier quality management would be valuable for supporting business development efforts and managing the complex supply relationships required for locally-sourced, premium ingredient procurement strategies.

Unique Aspects

Opportunity to work within the artisanal chocolate manufacturing sector, which requires specialized knowledge of confectionery production processes, tempering techniques, and the unique quality challenges associated with handcrafted chocolate products that differ significantly from large-scale industrial chocolate production.
Direct involvement in maintaining the quality standards of a Master Chocolatier-founded company, providing exposure to traditional chocolate-making expertise and the opportunity to learn from established industry craftsmanship while implementing modern quality management systems.
Role combines traditional artisanal food production with modern regulatory compliance requirements, offering unique experience in balancing craft production methods with stringent food safety standards and certification requirements that are essential for market access and growth.
Position within a company that emphasizes local sourcing and natural ingredients, providing experience with supply chain quality management for specialty ingredients and the challenges of maintaining consistency while supporting local agricultural producers and sustainable sourcing practices.

Career Growth

Career advancement typically occurs within 3-5 years for professionals in quality management roles, particularly those who gain experience with multiple certification standards and demonstrate measurable improvements in operational efficiency and compliance performance.

Potential Next Roles

Operations Manager or Production Manager roles in larger food manufacturing companies, leveraging the combination of quality management and operational oversight experience Quality Director positions in regional food manufacturing organizations or food service companies requiring strategic quality leadership Regulatory Affairs Manager roles in food companies operating across multiple markets, utilizing the regulatory compliance expertise and audit management experience Consultant roles specializing in food safety and quality systems implementation for artisanal and specialty food manufacturers

Company Overview

Aine Chocolates Ltd

Áine Hand Made Chocolate represents a well-established artisanal chocolate manufacturer with over 25 years of market presence, founded by a Master Chocolatier with significant industry expertise. The company has built its reputation on traditional handcrafted methods, premium natural ingredients, and local sourcing practices that align with current consumer preferences for authentic, sustainable food products.

The company occupies a strong position in the Irish artisanal chocolate market, with its longevity and founder expertise providing competitive advantages in a market segment that values craftsmanship and authenticity. The emphasis on local sourcing and handmade production methods positions the company well for continued growth in premium market segments.
Based in County Cavan, the company benefits from Ireland's growing reputation for premium food products while maintaining access to both Irish and UK markets. The rural location provides advantages for sourcing relationships and operational costs while still maintaining access to key distribution channels.
The company culture emphasizes craftsmanship, quality, and passion for chocolate making, creating an environment where attention to detail and commitment to excellence are highly valued. The small team structure likely provides opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and direct impact on product quality and company success.
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  • Salary estimates and market demand analysis
  • Role significance and career growth potential
  • Critical success factors and key skills
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