Process Operator - Continental Shift

JOB DESCRIPTION:

About Abbott

Abbott is a global healthcare leader committed to helping people live fuller lives at every stage. Our diverse portfolio includes diagnostics, medical devices, nutrition products, and branded generic medicines. More than 113,000 employees support our mission across 160+ countries.

In Ireland, Abbott has operated since 1946 and employs over 6,000 people across ten sites, including manufacturing facilities in Clonmel, Cootehill, Donegal, Longford, and Sligo, as well as commercial, shared services, and support operations in Dublin and Galway.

About Abbott Nutrition, Cootehill

Established in 1975, the Cootehill facility is Abbott’s largest global powder manufacturing site for infant formula. The plant produces a wide range of Similac infant formulas and Gain follow-on formulas, using high‑quality liquid skim milk sourced daily from approximately 1,000 dairy farms across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Production includes blending, pasteurisation, drying and packaging for global distribution throughout Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Canada.

We currently have a position of Process Operator on our continental shift and this role will involve the following:

Primary Purpose

The Process Operator plays a key role in the safe, efficient, and compliant manufacture of Abbott Nutrition products. This role covers operations across milk/oil intake, ingredient preparation, processing, evaporation, and drying, ensuring all products meet Abbott and customer quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Duties (General)

• Perform routine preventative maintenance per schedule.
• Monitor environmental and process conditions and respond to spills, alarms, and system faults
• Collaborate effectively with QA and cross‑functional teams.
• Assist with non‑routine tasks and provide knowledge transfer to new operators.
• Use systems such as Teamcenter and MCS for documentation and stock updates.

Area-Specific Responsibilities

Milk/Oil Intake

• Verify milk certificates of analysis and QA release for oils.
• Pump deliveries, monitor tanker conditions, and carry out CIP of tankers.
• Conduct manual cleaning, sampling, and updating MCS records.
• Ensure accurate placement of milk/oil according to schedule.

Process

• Set up plant per manufacturing directions and pick lists.
• Process batches, weigh and add ingredients, and verify additions.
• Perform CIP of processing equipment and complete related records.
• Troubleshoot alarms/valves and inspect silo contents.

Ingredient Preparation

• Prepare and weigh ingredients per pick lists.
• Operate forklifts and manage stock movements using MCS and barcoding.
• Support bag‑off operations, conduct cleaning and stock checks, and comply with ATEX regulations.

Evaporator

• Ensure QA release and correct evaporator setup.
• Monitor CCP1 and report deviations immediately.
• Complete CIP logs, walkdowns, and maintain cGMP in high‑care areas.
• Adjust system faults and maintain filtration stock levels.

Dryer Operations

• Follow Change Over Matrix and hopper schedule for product changeovers.
• Conduct Dryer CIP, feed line cleaning, and record CIP details.
• Assist QA with swabbing, monitor drying operations, and sample product.
• Monitor area hygiene compliance and maintain inventory accuracy.

Major Responsibilities

• Safely and effectively operate all process equipment from intake to drying.
• Produce product in full compliance with Abbott specifications and customer requirements.
• Follow all Abbott policies, local rules, cGMP, hygiene standards, and documentation procedures.
• Maintain attention to detail across all operations.

Education & Experience

• Leaving Certificate (or equivalent).
• Experience working in the Process Team would be an advantage

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

• Ability to interpret technical data (charts, graphs, flow rates, temperature readings).
• Strong problem‑solving and troubleshooting ability.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Good communication skills and accountability at shift handover.
• Understanding manufacturing directions, cGMP, hygiene standards, and key plant equipment.
• Good computer literacy.

Hours of Work

Continental Shift (4 week rotation 12hrs shifts – alternating between days and nights)

7.30am – 7.30pm and 7.30pm – 7.30am (Monday – Sunday)

• Understand the principles and operations of key plant and equipment.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com or https://www.ie.abbott/, on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews.

The base pay for this position is

N/A/hour

In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

     

JOB FAMILY:

Manufacturing

DIVISION:

ANSC Nutrition Supply Chain

LOCATION:

Ireland > Cootehill : Dromore West

ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:

WORK SHIFT:

Ie - Chprm8Am (Ireland)

TRAVEL:

No

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE:

Yes

SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES:

Not Applicable