Ornua, the owner of Ireland’s iconic dairy brand, Kerrygold, is looking for graduates to join their team at the home of Irish dairy. Ornua’s industry-leading graduate programme is open for applications until October 19th, 2017. With opportunities across the business, from Information and Communication Technology to HR and Sales and Marketing to Supply Chain Management and more, Ornua is looking for a new group of graduates to help bring the unique taste of Irish dairy to customers across the globe. 

Headquartered in Dublin, Ornua is Ireland’s largest exporter of Irish dairy products, exporting to over 110 countries worldwide. It operates from 20 plants, including the new-state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Kerrygold Park, and has sales and marketing teams in all corners of the globe.  
 
The Ornua Graduate Programme is an 18-month program which will offer graduates a chance to build a range of business skills, gaining valuable experience in one of Ireland’s most vibrant businesses. Candidates will undertake two placements as part of the program, which includes time overseas for most participants. 
 
Commenting on the Ornua Graduate Programme, Majella Darcy, Group HR Director at Ornua says: “This is a great opportunity for those who are looking to experience life in a global business, working and living in a new environment.  We look after our graduates well and provide ‘best in class’ development, particularly when it comes to providing support, skills, and experience. In return, we expect graduates to perform to a high standard.” 

Darcy explained that the application selecion process goes beyond merely looking at grades and points, in order to recruit graduates who are in keeping with Ornua’s core values and company culture: “Generally we look for a 2:1, but if we meet someone who is really strong in other areas then we have a very open mind. Academic ability is important to us but it’s not the be all and end all. Finding great talent who are the right cultural fit for our organization and who possess the right attitude is also really important factors. Ornua is a team and we are looking for great people to join that team.  We invest heavily in our graduate recruits.”

In 2016, 18 graduates joined the company and, this year, 14 new trainees will form the intake for 2017. Candidates on the Ornua Graduate Programme will receive formal training from the Irish Management Institute (IMI).  Every graduate will be individually mentored by a member of Ornua’s senior management team.  
 
Cait Mennis was part of the 2016 Graduate Programme, she describes why the Ornua Graduate Programme was a great experience for her: “I saw the Ornua Graduate Programme as a great opportunity to work closely with mentors, managers, and people, from many different skill sets and who had vast industry experience. That level of exposure to industry expertise is rare in other entry-level jobs. Having the chance to learn from and be guided by these people on a day-to-day basis is invaluable.”
 
“The best days for me are when you see that the work you are doing adds value to the organization and you know that you are making a difference. Having my opinion and recommendations heard and valued is very rewarding.”