My name is Carolann Ryan, and I have recently completed a 6-month placement in Tirlán as part of my Food Marketing and Entrepreneurship degree in Cork University Business School at UCC. This placement was an integral part of my degree, providing me with the opportunity to draw on my knowledge and skills in performing tasks in Business setting. This enhanced my work capabilities and allowed me to reflect and better understand these.
Before starting university, I had a strong interested in food and an enjoyment of business during my secondary school years. I studied both Home Economics and Business for my Leaving Certificate, which reinforced my passions in these subjects.
When the time came to exploring college courses, I came across the Food Marketing and Entrepreneurship degree at UCC. After spending some time researching the program, the more it stood out. It offered a unique blend of business and food science from introductory level, completed by practical learning and extra-curricular opportunities across the four years. It quickly became a winner. And really, where better to study a course of this calibre than in Ireland’s food capital- Cork?
I began my placement search last September, knowing that I wanted to gain experience within the food industry in some capacity. Growing up in Tipperary have me a broad scope, with opportunities spanning Cork and the wider Munster & Leinster regions.
Tirlán first came onto my radar after I had the chance to attend a Dairy Supplier Open Day at the Ballyragget plant back in September 2024 with my aunt and cousin. It wasn’t my first encounter with the organisation either- I had previously engaged with Tirlán during a Bord Bia Sustainability project as part of my Food Business Sustainability module (FE2205) co-ordinated by Dr. Emma Beacom (Food Marketing and Entrepreneurship Programme Co-Ordinator).
So, when I spotted the Tirlán Supply Chain Internship advertised on InPlace, it felt like everything had come full circle, both the timing and opportunity could not have been more fitting. Subsequently, I applied, interviewed and I was delighted to be selected for the internship.
What did my time look like as an Exports Intern?
After wrapping up a busy second semester in UCC, I began my placement with Tirlán in March joining the Exports Team as an Exports Intern. This role was in a hybrid working environment, with three days in the office and two days working remotely. I spend most of my week working from the Collaboration Hub in Abbey Quarter, Kilkenny.
On my first morning, I warmly welcomed by my mentor, who introduced me to the Exports team. I received a laptop, remote-working equipment, and a thoughtful welcome pack from HR. I was given a tour of the offices- a modern collaborative space with hot desks system, collaborative working spaces and a customer-experience room for events. This environment made it easy to meet colleagues across different teams and functions to work with outside of my immediate team.
From the outset, my mentor had prepared a three-week timetable of meetings and tasks, which helped me quickly settle and integrated into the team. Each team member spent time walking me through their responsibilities, explaining the specific requirements for different product categories. I was also provided with step action guides (SAGs) and hands-on training in order picking, liaising with other departments, and coordinating with third-party warehouses and transport partners.
Over the course of my placement, my confidence grew, and I was entrusted with greater responsibility. I had the opportunity to engage in a broad range of activities.
Attending weekly meetings with both internal and external stakeholders, including Logistics Optimisation Reviews and Supply Chain Extension meetings.
Participating in daily 3M meetings, where we reviewed order statuses and shared updates. These quick check-ins fostered strong communication and team support.
Contributing to order picking for key ingredient products such as cheese, butter, and fat-filled milk powder (FFMP), and coordinating transport bookings with partners based on delivery location and incoterms.
Supporting the team with administrative tasks, such as monthly invoicing and customs payments.
Collaborating with senior managers on analytical projects, including interpreting Excel datasets on ocean carriers, S&OP processes, and warehouse information.
Beyond my daily tasks, I supported wider business functions with ad-hoc requests. My time working in the Cheese and Butter categories was particularly rewarding. I enjoyed the cross-functional nature of the work. I engaged closely with Planning, Quality and Customer Services to pick orders and co-ordinate the logistics for delivery to the customer. The variety in the day-to-day activities gave me a comprehensive overview of Tirlán’s operations and the many teams that work together to bring products from farm to customer.
Placement Highlights
During my six-month placement at Tirlán, I was fortunate gain hands-on experience across a wide variety of activities. This gave me valuable exposure to both internal teams and external vendors, and helped deepen my understanding of ingredients business, B2B operations, logistics and export processes. While every day brought something new and rewarding, a couple of moments stood out as highlights.
Working closely within the Cheese category, I quickly realised how integral cheese grading was. With the support of my mentor and manager, I arranged a site visit to the Ballyragget plant. Whereby, I had the unique opportunity to spend an afternoon with Tirlán’s Expert Cheese Grader. He shared fascinating insights into the full journey of cheddar cheese production. One of the most important learnings for me was the role of the milk sourcing in the cheese-making process. The quality of milk directly determines the quality of the cheese produced. I learned about the importance of the starter cultures and about manging the maturation process. Through tasting the cheese, I understood the clear distinction between mild and mature cheddar. I visited the Cheese Store to see the cheese grading process in action (It’s fair to say that I have tasted more than my fair share of cheddar!). I also had the chance to visit the butter room, where I observed butter coming off the production line and being packaging in different format to meet both B2B and B2C needs.
Another highlight was visiting Tirlán’s Storage and Distribution Centre in July. The Warehouse Manager and Master Scheduler kindly hosted the visit, giving me and a fellow colleague a behind-the-scenes look at the warehouse and coldstore where the cheese is stored. I watched pallets being carefully moved using advanced digital technologies from the racks in preparation for transport. The warehouse manager also explained the wide range of customisation activities provided to meet customer requirement including box labelling and repalletising. This really showcased the company’s strong customer-centric focus.
Conclusion
Reflecting on the past six months, I cannot speak highly enough about how positive my placement experience at Tirlán was. This placement has not only broadened my perspective on the intersection of business and food but also sparked new ambitions and career aspirations.
From the very beginning, both the Exports team and the wider Tirlán community made me feel truly welcomed and supported. No request was ever considered too big or too small- whether it was helping with order picking, preparing the weekly KPI’s figures or visiting production sites. I was always encouraged to ask questions and get fully involved in the work. Similarly, any visit or experience I expressed an interest in was readily met without hesitation. The quality of the mentoring I received was exceptional, from offering practical advice to encouraging me to take initiative and learn by doing. This level of mentorship not only helped to build my confidence but also have me a deeper understanding of how different parts of the business connect and operate. Often, my colleagues were generous with their time, offering guidance or simply taking time to chat. This is a testament and clear reflection of the positive, inclusive culture that Tirlán fosters.
To round off my final week, I was kindly treated to a team lunch in Kilkenny, which was a memorable way to mark the conclusion of my internship. I’m deeply grateful to Tirlán for affording me this opportunity, and my academic department at UCC for their unwavering support and encouragement over the past four years. I look forward to taking this newly acquired knowledge and applying it as I commence final year, and in my early career.