Cyber Security Lead

About the role

The Cyber Security Lead is a senior, permanent role responsible for protecting Kinisla's digital estate during its transition to a standalone organisation and throughout its ongoing operations. In the immediate term, the role plays a pivotal part in ensuring that cyber security is designed and embedded into all infrastructure, application, and data migrations as Kinisla separates from Kinisla Group.

Beyond the programme, the Cyber Security Lead will own and evolve KinislaI’s cyber security strategy, standards, and risk posture, providing sustained assurance that the organisation’s systems, data, and operations remain secure, resilient, and compliant. The role acts as the single accountable authority for cyber security across Kinisla, enabling the business to grow, innovate, and operate with confidence in an increasingly complex threat landscape.

Reporting Line & Role Context

• Reports to: ICT Director
• Role type: Permanent senior leadership role (Hybrid – 3 days per week in Tralee office)
• Acts as the senior cyber security authority for Kinisla, with accountability spanning both transformation and steady‑state operations

What will I be doing?

• Act as the single accountable authority for cyber security across Kinisla, owning cyber risk decisions during transformation and in steady‑state operations.
• Embed security by design into infrastructure, application, data, and integration architectures to ensure security is built in from inception and sustained long‑term.
• Define, own, and enforce enterprise‑wide cyber security standards for identity, access, data protection, network, and cloud security across all vendors and internal teams.
• Provide risk‑based security leadership to enable delivery, innovation, and growth while protecting the organisation from cyber, regulatory, and operational risk.
• Establish and maintain Kinisla’s cyber security strategy, governance, and operating model, ensuring consistent controls and eliminating fragmented or ad‑hoc security practices.
• Oversee cyber risk management and incident preparedness, ensuring the organisation can effectively detect, respond to, and recover from security threats.
• Ensure ongoing compliance, audit readiness, and regulatory alignment, reducing exposure to costly incidents, remediation, or reputational damage.
• Drive a strong security culture across Kinisla, embedding cyber awareness into everyday decision‑making and operations.

Decision Authority

• Authority to define and enforce cyber security standards across Kinisla.
• Authority to approve, challenge, or block technology solutions based on cyber risk.
• Authority to escalate unresolved cyber risks to senior leadership where required.

Key Responsibilities

• Own Kinisla’s cyber security strategy, standards, and risk posture across both transformation and day‑to‑day operations.
• Ensure security‑by‑design across all cloud, infrastructure, application, and data platforms.
• Provide senior cyber security leadership to programmes, vendors, and internal teams, enabling secure delivery and business growth.
• Lead cyber risk management, incident readiness, and regulatory compliance, ensuring resilience and audit readiness.
• Champion a strong security culture, embedding cyber awareness into everyday decision‑making.

Key Interfaces

• ICT leadership and delivery teams
• Business application and platform owners
• External vendors and managed service providers
• Audit, risk, and compliance stakeholders

What do I need to be successful?

• Senior experience in cyber security leadership roles within complex or multi‑vendor technology environments.
• Strong understanding of cloud platforms, identity and access management, applications, data, and network security.
• Proven ability to embed security‑by‑design into large‑scale technology change and transformation initiatives.
• Experience managing cyber risk, incident preparedness, and regulatory compliance in operational environments.
• Comfortable operating in regulated or audited environments, including data protection obligations.

Leadership & Professional Competencies

• Pragmatic, risk‑based decision maker able to balance security, delivery pace, and business needs.
• Confident engaging with and challenging senior stakeholders, vendors, and delivery teams.
• Strong communicator, able to translate cyber risk into clear business impact and decisions.
• Effective in small, fast‑moving organisations with evolving structures and priorities.
• High standards of integrity, accountability, and ownership.

Qualifications

• Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Cyber Security, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Relevant professional certifications desirable but not mandatory (e.g. CISSP, CISM, CCSP).

What will I get in return?

At Kinisla, we believe in giving talented, curious people the opportunity to make a difference.

We work as a team, searching for the best ways to inspire food and nourish life.

We are a community of innovators, working across disciplines to solve global food challenges with a fresh approach. We want you to achieve whatever you put your mind to.

We also offer:

• 25 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays)
• Hybrid working
• Health Care
• Matched pension scheme
• Benefits platform offering discounts and cashback on major retailers.

About Kinisla:

Kinisla is a vertically integrated farm-to-fork business with a very substantial consumer foods presence and a leading nutritional and dairy ingredients division, delivering high-quality dairy solutions with a focus on sustainability and innovation. From partnering with local family farms to producing world-class dairy products, we ensure every step of our value chain reflects our commitment to excellence.

With over 50 years’ experience in milk processing, dairy and nutritional technology advancement, and product innovation, we are a key stakeholder in the global food industry and creators of a strong portfolio of market leading dairy brands including Cheestrings, Charleville and Coleraine Cheese, Dairygold, Golden Cow and our new SMUG range. Our from food, for food culture and deep-rooted connection to our 2,800 milk suppliers differentiates our business and offers captivating opportunities for our customers and consumers. 

Our dairy comes from some of the world’s richest grazing land and is produced by a network of Irish family farms that have one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world. Through a combination of expertise, innovation, and sustainability, Kinisla is proud to shape the future of dairy while meeting the diverse needs of our farmers, customers, and communities.

Headquartered in Tralee, Co. Kerry, we operate multiple manufacturing facilities in the southwest of Ireland, including Listowel, Charleville, Newmarket, and Farranfore. Additionally, we manage 29 Farm & Home stores throughout the region, ensuring comprehensive coverage and service. In Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom, our presence extends to key locations in Portadown, Coleraine, and Ossett.

Globally, Kinisla employs over 1,600 dedicated professionals across Ireland, Northern Ireland, the UK, USA, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and China. In 2024, we achieved a turnover of approximately €1.3 billion, reflecting our commitment to excellence and growth.

Get in touch today!

In Kinisla we benefit from the knowledge of our colleagues who bring a diverse range of cultures, backgrounds, lifestyles and experiences. One team fostering an inclusive culture that, above all, inspires food and nourishes life. One culture where everyone brings their unique perspectives and experiences to help make us better, together. We are committed to nurturing an environment of positivity and inclusiveness, where everyone can be at their best, both personally and professionally.

Our recruitment, selection and assessment process are based on the skills and competencies of the specific roles and based entirely on merit.  We are committed to and value Diversity and Inclusion in all recruitment processes within Kinisla and do not discriminate based on gender, race, class, economic status, ethnic background, sexual orientation, age, political beliefs, veteran status, marital status or any other protected characteristic.

Please note: We do not accept CVs or candidate profiles from recruitment agencies where Kinisla terms of business have not been signed. Additionally, we will not consider or agree to payment of any recruiter fee under these circumstances. This also applies to CVs or candidate profiles sent directly to any Kinisla Hiring Managers.