Basic Function

The newly appointed Technologist will carry out an agreed annual programme of work in support of the BIA Innovator Campus on the Teagasc Mellows Campus at Athenry, Co. Galway, reporting directly to the Head of Food Industry Development Department at Teagasc.

The Technologist will support the co-working food facilities at BIA Innovator Campus, with a secondary support function to the food production units on site and the clients availing of these respective facilities. The Technologist will be a key contact with client companies for technical issues. Their role will include the development, implementation and monitoring of food quality management systems on site, induction and training of clients on the use of units and equipment therein, developing expert knowledge in operation & maintenance of equipment. The Technologist will also be responsible for the setup of the facility operations and will assist and support the facility users and wider food community on food innovation and development activities. They will support an active annual programme of training, mentoring and innovation services to micro/small start-up food businesses.

Background

This role will reside within the Teagasc Food Industry Development Department and it will be based at the BIA Innovator Campus, Teagasc Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co. Galway.

BIA Innovator Campus is a leading food incubation and innovation campus supporting ambitious food businesses through state-of-the-art food production facilities coupled with the technological and business supports needed to promote innovation and scaling.  Start up and scaling food businesses can avail of co-working production units, long lease “own door” production units, a business engagement zone, hot desking, food tourism demonstration auditorium, a buyer showcase room and a culinary training unit at the site. Further information on the BIA Innovator Campus is available here: https://biainnovatorcampus.ie/

This is a unique opportunity for the successful candidate to work as part of an influential team to develop and support the food sector and micro/small food businesses in particular.

• Supporting the co-working units and own-door food production units at BIA Innovator Campus, and the clients availing of these facilities.
• To deliver training, consultancy and technical support services to BIA Innovator Campus clients and the wider food sector community.
• Development, implementation and updating of food safety and quality management systems (HACCP) and associated equipment SOPs, risk assessment documents and maintenance schedules within the food development and production facilities.
• Delivering technical on-boarding of client companies availing of the facilities.
• Setup of the facility operations in the co-working kitchens for clients use.
• Training and support on the operation, cleaning and maintenance of equipment within the co-working facilities.
• Assisting the facility users and wider food industry clients in their product and process development and improvement activities. 
• Providing advice and technical support in areas including ingredient, packaging and equipment sourcing, product development, process improvements, industrial scaling, food safety, shelf life extension, regulation etc.
• To work closely with Teagasc colleagues and especially with other technologists and scientists in the Food Industry Development Department, based in Ashtown and Moorepark Food Research Centres, to service the needs of food industry clients.
• To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.
• To actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.
• Fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of themselves, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations. This includes full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.
• Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time

* This job specification is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive.  It will be reviewed from time to time with the post holder.

 Note:  The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.