Careers

Director of Nutrition

Within National Dairy Council’s new five year strategy (Dairy: Food for Life. A Strategy to Promote Irish Milk & Dairy Products 2008-2012), nutrition is a key cornerstone in supporting the implementation of effective advocacy, marketing and communications programmes based on informed scientific evidence.  The NDC has a long-established reputation in nutrition and now seeks to strengthen this further with the appointment of a Director of Nutrition who will lead the NDC’s Nutrition Programme within the context of this new strategic plan.

Job Specification

  • Opportunity at a senior level to broaden your remit in supporting the NDC’s wide range of marketing, advocacy and communications programmes.
  • Appropriately identify, evaluate, prioritise and communicate scientific evidence in the context of the challenging European Regulatory Environment and actively working to help strengthen the position and consumption of Irish milk and dairy products.
  • Proactively anticipate and respond to changes in the scientific-regulatory environment using external networks of institutions and individual contacts among key scientific opinion leaders and key influencers.
  • Anticipate and report on emerging science/nutrition issues, with particular attention to their risk potential in terms of scientific credibility and public opinion.
  • Manage communication of evolution in scientific standpoints and providing issues management support.
  • Manage the NDC’s database of nutrition information ensuring that is maintained and updated in accordance with latest research/developments.
  • Work closely with nutritionists in other respective dairy councils and within the Irish dairy sector, using best practice to develop strategies and programmes for the NDC.
  • Manage a small team and work closely with marketing and communications staff within the NDC.

Requirements

  • Qualified to doctoral level (ideally) in nutrition/dietetics.
  • Professional experience of minimum 5 years in food industry at senior level with particular experience in how to communicate complex dietary benefits to consumers and health influencers clearly and concisely
  • Excellent organisational, communication and negotiation skills, a strategic mind and the ability to interact effectively with key stakeholders.
  • Ability to source information combined with excellent research and analytical skills and strong powers of persuasion to highlight and communicate the nutritional value of milk and dairy products to consumers, health professionals and policy makers.
  • Adaptable, well-organised, results-driven with the presence to build relationships at all levels.
  • A good understanding of the network of scientific institutions in the EU and knowledge of the international scientific community.

Candidates should send full career and salary details, quoting ref. 6178, to:

John McCullough, KPMG Executive Search & Selection
1 Stokes Place, St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
Tel: 01-410 1820, Fax: 01-410 1820, Email: ess@kpmg.ie