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Additional Food Career Profiles can also be found on the Tasty Careers website at http://www.tastycareers.org.uk/case-studies
Chris Gamble - BSc (Hons) Food Supply Management
Sales Graduate, Dunbia
 After graduating with a BSc (Hons) Degree in Food Supply Management from Loughry Chris started on Dunbia’s Graduate Management Programme as a member of the sales team. His job involves providing support by collating sales figures, tracking prices and keeping check on the company’s performance in the marketplace. “A job in sales is great grounding for a role in this industry as you learn all about the products, customers and the marketplace. Progressing in sales, I could move on to manage some of our key customer accounts, like the big UK-retailers. But really, the opportunities to move into other departments are endless”.
Amanda Dawson - BTEC ND Food Technology, BSc (Hons) Food Technology, MSc Communication
Group Mill Technical Manager
Amanda completed an ND in Food Technology at Loughry and joined Fane Valley as a Laboratory Technician. The company allowed me to study for a BSc (Hons) in Food Technology at Loughry on a part-time basis after which I became Quality Manager with Fane Valley straight away. She then enrolled in the Communication course at Loughry on a part-time basis and applied for my current post as Group Mill Technical Manager, which she got! “The opportunities in the food industry are immense. It is an industry that keeps developing as our retail customers and end-consumers keep looking for a higher standard of product. This in turn means that technical roles keep changing and expanding, which make the opportunities for career development pretty much unlimited!”
Kathleen Alexander - BSc (Hons) Food Technology
Lean Manufacturing Co-Ordinator / NVQ Assessor, Dunbia, Dungannon
Kathy Alexander graduated from Loughry with a BSc (Hons) Food Technology in 2008. While studying on the Degree in Food Technology at Loughry Campus, she did a placement year at Moy Park. This led to a weekend shift with the company, which was excellent practical experience. After graduation she joined Dunbia’s Graduate Management Programme where Kathy spent 12 months learning about project work, day-to-day operations, operational review and health and safety. She was given the opportunity to complete an A1 NVQ Assessor’s award. “I love both of my jobs! As a Lean Manufacturing Co-ordinator I work with people at all levels, all over the factory and it’s really satisfying to see a new improvement idea that works well and makes a difference to the business.”
Kirsty Wilson - BSc (Hons) Food Technology, Loughry Campus
Technical Manager, Kerry Foods 
Kirsty Wilson graduated from Loughry with a BSc (Hons) Food Technology in 2007. Upon graduation, Kiry started the Kerry Group’s Graduate Programme where she got to work across a range of quality and product development roles in lots of different sites within the Kerry Food Group. “It was a great programme that gave me lots of experience and allowed me to quickly move into a management role at the company. There are so many opportunities to develop further in my role. Whether I want to move in the direction of Head of Technical, Auditing, or overall Group Manager, the list is endless, which means the future is really exciting!”
David Johnston - BTEC ND Food Technology, BSc (Hons) Food Supply Management
Production Manager, Avondale Foods (Craigavon) Ltd
David as a Production Manager (Intake, Preparation, Soup, Sauce & Mayonnaise Production), looks after everything in his departments: Quality, New Product Development, Efficiencies and Leadership. This includes coaching, mentoring & development of staff.
“My degree has really been invaluable in giving me the knowledge to manage all aspects of a busy production environment. I work across a lot of different areas, from staff management to developing new quality tests for various salad dressings, fruit and vegetables which includes a lot of research. I also get to meet new people through customer visits and site inspections. There are so many opportunities, I really don't know where to start! Roles in Packaging Technology, Purchasing, Procurement, Logistics, New Product Development and General Management are all options, to name but a few.”
Fionnula Horisk - BSc (Hons) Food Supply Management
Production Manager, Dunbia, Dungannon
Fionnula graduated with a BSc (Hons) Food Supply Management in 2008. As part of her BSc (Hons) Degree in Food Supply Management at Loughry, she completed one year work placement in Moy Park w here she was a member of the site services specification team. During her time she learned about manufacturing processes and gained a lot of experience dealing with customers such as Tesco, Waitrose, Asda and Sainsbury’s. “After graduation, 12-months training programme on Dunbias Graduate Management Programme gave me a good grounding in all aspects of the business and helped me to secure a permanent job with the company as Product Manager for Asda.
“As a product manager it’s great being able to produce high quality products for major retailers such as the Co-operative, Asda or Sainsbury’s. There is nothing better than seeing a product on the shelf in your local store and knowing that you have helped get it there!”
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