Food Business Management & Technology

To be successful in the food industry, management teams require a combination of technical and business skills. Through participation in this innovative MSc programme learners gain in-depth knowledge and understanding of the dynamic food manufacturing sector, developing competence in the fundamental business and technical skills required to run a successful food enterprise.

Developed and designed in collaboration with industry leaders to identify and address current and future skills gaps, the programme is specifically targeted at business, science or engineering graduates. Learners will develop an advanced and cross-discipline skillset in key functions including food safety management, food formulations, supply chain management, lean manufacturing, financial management systems and new product development.

Accreditation: QQI Level 9 MSc in Food Business Management & Technology.
Awarding body: Technological University Dublin - Tallaght Campus.

Module 1: Global Food Supply Chain & Competitive Strategy
Procurement and supplier management, supply and demand, network design and optimisation, capacity planning, competitiveness, lean and six sigma, technology management and innovation, leadership for growth.

Module 2: Food Formulation & Processing
Formulation and processing of dairy, meat, baked goods, food micronutrients, additives, physiochemical and functional properties of food proteins, carbohydrates, fats and food additives, milling, blending, separation, pasteurisation, emulsification, pasteurisation, homogenisation, heating, cooling, freezing, chilling, preservation, cooking.

Module 3: 21st Century Trends for the Global Food Industry
Irish food sector history, current and future developments, global food trends and challenges, global health issues, major challenges to food security in the 21st century.

Module 4: Food Marketing & Sales Strategy Development
New client opportunities, market gap analysis studies, new business opportunities, product costing, promotional analysis, product launch plans, Key elements of development and implementation of strategic marketing plans

Module 5: Food Science, Health & Nutrition
Diet, metabolism, nutritional information, the biochemistry of food, food labelling legislation, current and potential of nutraceuticals, effects of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fruit and vegetables.

Module 6: Legal and Regulatory Framework for the Global Food Business
Legal and regulatory framework of the global food business, emerging legal, industrial best practice (BRC, IFS, ISO 22000, ISO9000). Managing Food Safety/HACCP/Allergens and consumer-led trends.

Module 7: Food Business Management
Finance, accounting, analysis of business performance, strategy, budgeting, KPIs, statistics, financial reporting.

Module 8: R&D Product Development & Management
Sensory science, consumer trends, brand management, innovation, consumers and food trends, product launch strategies

Module 9: Literature Review
This module assists learners to identify and examine relevant literature on their subject matter, ensuring that their literature is wide-ranging, relevant with well-linked concepts and ideas, with enquiry and research at its root. The learner's research questions and dissertation focus will evolve from the literature review.

Module 10: Dissertation
To be awarded an MSc, learners must complete an original and comprehensive dissertation which may comprise of research or practical work-based thesis, drawing heavily on the underpinning from the taught and literature review modules. Learners will further enhance their research and critical thinking skills, and in turn, develop expertise by completing a major piece of research.

This course is suitable for those with a minimum NFQ Level 8 honors degree with a 2.2 award or higher in Science, Business, Quality, Engineering or related discipline.

11 months.

This course runs over three semesters. Students can access lectures online two evenings per week, with additional compulsory labs. Workshops will also take place two Saturdays per month in Dublin. (ECTS: 90 Credits)

CAREER OPTIONS

Potential Roles for graduates of this course include:

R & D Product Management
Sales and Marketing Management
Production/ Supervisory Management
Quality/ Regulatory Affairs Roles
Supply Chain Roles
Project Management
Process Improvement Roles

Our Professional Development team, through individual coaching and mentorship, develop each student to their greatest potential - developing their networking and communication and presentation skills, which ensures that graduates develop a suitable career path. This Career Development strategy has proven to be very successful, with over 70% of Innopharma graduates gaining employment or advancing further their careers in the industry within six months of qualification.

As a result of our proven track record, many organisations and recruitment agencies now contact us directly, requesting students to fill open roles they have.