Laois council hiring to 'spark regional and national enthusiasm' in Midlands

Laois County Council is leading the process hire someone to "spark regional and national enthusiasm" that would turn the Midlands into a "food sector landmark".

The local authority is fronting a Laois County Council a process with Longford, Offaly and Westmeath councils for the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan Pathway for Just Transition project is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund Programme 2021-2027.

As part of fulfilling this role, it is recruiting a Midlands Regional Food and Drink Network Manager. The roles and responsibilities are outlined by Laois County Council.

It includes: "Spark regional and national enthusiasm by establishing the Midlands as a food sector landmark and an active component of immediate environment and local/regional community".

The manager will also be asked to engage and develop a community of stakeholders from the wider food, innovation and enterprise community by attending events and networking. More below picture.

Some of the Laois produce at the Laois Taste Food & Drink 2023 Awards celebration at Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery, Stradbally. Pic: Michael Scully

Another function will be to create and nurture a "collaborative, innovation-fuelled environment". The person will also be expected to encourage "networking benefit and synergies" among regional and other food businesses.

The successful applicant will be required to ensure education and training and skills development within impacted communities is "at the heart of the project".

The Manager will also have to identify and pursue opportunities to further develop the food and drink sector across the four counties.

The Food and Drink Network Manager will be based in the Midlands on a fixed-term contact up to the end of March 2026. The payscale is €57,675 - €74,978 per annum.

The Laois Taste network has been set up by local producers to promote food and drink produces in Laois.