Job losses at Kerry Group Charleville
... But relief as overall operations unaffected
SADNESS coupled with more than a hint of relief.
There were mixed feelings in Charleville this week after speculation that a major restructuring plan by the Kerry Group could cost the jobs of dozens of workers in its local production facility proved to be unfounded
However, it has emerged that more than a dozen administrative workers at the facility are to be made redundant as part of an overall strategy by the company to centralise its shared services division across sites in Mexico and Malaysia.
Cllr Ian Doyle confirmed to that 15 or 16 staff members working in the ‘Red Brick’ administration building (pictured above) at the Charleville facility have been put on protective notice within the past few days.
While the production side of the Charleville operation will not be impacted by the job losses, Cllr Doyle said the loss of any jobs in Charleville was a blow to the town.
“It is always bad news to see local jobs being lost. In some ways these job losses are a reflection of the increasing trend of remote working since the start of the Covid pandemic last year,” said Cllr Doyle.
IT has emerged that more than a dozen administrative workers at the Kerry Group’s Charleville operation have been given protective notice as part of a restructuring plan by the company.
Speculation had been rife in recent days about the future of the Charleville production facility after it emerged that up to 150 jobs were at risk across the company’s Irish operation.
Charleville-based county councillor Ian Doyle told The Corkman that a source within the company had told him that the production operation would not be impacted by the redundancies.
“I have been told that 15 or 16 staff members working in the ‘Red Brick’ administration building in Charleville, along with other shared services staff based at the Kerry Group’s Global Technology & Innovation Centre in Naas have been put on protective notice within the last few days. Some of these notices will come into effect in March and the remainder in September,” said Cllr Doyle.
“It is my understanding that 150 Irish jobs in areas such as finance and human resources will be lost as a result of the company’s decision to consolidate its shared services division at facilities in Malaysia and Mexico,” he added.
While the production side of the Charleville operation will not be impacted by the job losses, Cllr Doyle said the loss of any jobs in Charleville was a blow to the town.
“It is always bad news to see local jobs being lost. In some ways these jobs losses are a reflection of the increasing trend of remote working since the start of the Covid pandemic last year,” said Cllr Doyle.
“Once I became aware of the situation, I contacted the North Cork Enterprise Board and the enterprise section of Cork County Council to see what can be done about putting a strategy in place to provide assistance to those who will be losing their jobs in terms of finding new employment or providing retraining,” he added.
In a statement the Kerry Group said it would be work closely with those involved, providing severance packages and working with them to identify other suitable employment opportunities.
The statement said that as the Kerry Group continued to expand its global footprint through both organic and acquisitional growth it had become necessary to make organisational changes to ensure that it remains close to its growth markets, while also simplifying the way that it operates.
“Today, Kerry has announced that it is to expand and centralise its shared services function, with teams primarily being located in two new locations. As a result, it is anticipated that up to 150 people who are currently based in Ireland will be made redundant over the next 6 -12 months,” read the statement.
It said the creation of a larger and consolidated shared services division, which will be primarily located in Mexico and Malaysia and would incorporate elements of finance, human resources and regulatory staff, would facilitate the creation of specialist teams delivering a “more efficient and consistent service globally.”
“Kerry will work closely with its employees and representative groups to support everyone over the coming period, providing severance packages and outplacement services including training, interview skills and coaching. The company will also work with industry partners across the region to identify future employment opportunities.”