Emma Donnelly’s journey through the agri-food industry

Date published: 24 September 2026

In total, Emma studied at Loughry Campus for six years. Her journey started in 2018 after completing her GSCEs at Newry High School, Emma studied a Level 3 National Diploma in Food Science and Manufacturing. She then progressed onto the Foundation Degree in Food Manufacture and Nutrition and completed her studies to attain a BSc (Hons) in Food Technology.

Reflecting on her studies, Emma said: "Studying at Loughry allowed me to identify the area of the food industry that I wanted to pursue. The broad mix of classes and practical workshops gave me a flavour of many different sectors, from red meat to bakery production and everything in between. My studies provided me with a strong foundation in food operations, technical functions and lean manufacturing. This led me to discovering that food production and manufacturing were the right fit for my career ambitions.”

Emma fondly remembers the practical sessions in Loughry's Food Technology Centre, where student gain hands-on experience of food production processes.

"Making ice cream was probably one of my most memorable practical experiences," she recalled. "Somehow, I always seemed to take the lead during production, handing out instructions, particularly to those standing at the back trying to avoid me!"

A key part of her development came through industry placements. Her first placement was with ABP in Newry, a leading company who specialise in the supply and development of British and Irish beef and lamb products for retail, foodservice and wholesale. Emma worked as a Quality Controller within the dice and mince department. There she gained practical experience in quality assurance, compliance and Good Manufacturing Practice requirements.

Later placements expanded her understanding of the industry. Emma worked with a specialist cheese manufacturer in Portadown, where she became involved in every aspect of the business, from production and packing to sales and deliveries. She also spent time with Gourmet Island in Newry as a Technical Assistant, supporting audits, laboratory work and quality assurance activities.

According to Emma, CAFRE's industry-focused approach played a crucial role in preparing students for employment. Guest speakers, industry visits, CV workshops and an internal careers portal all helped bridge the gap between education and industry.

Today, Emma is progressing through the ABP UK graduate programme, having completed placements at ABP Newry, Linden Foods Retail Site and ABP Sturminster in Dorset. During her rotations she has worked in quality assurance, specifications management and intake quality before stepping into her current role as Technical Manager at a primary processing site.

Her responsibilities include overseeing food safety, food quality and animal welfare, ensuring customer compliance, leading audits and managing the site's Quality Management System.

"Taking on this role has been a significant step forward in my career, and I am extremely glad I embraced the opportunity. The best thing about my job is the variety that each day brings. A typical day may involve reviewing quality checks, monitoring animal welfare compliance through CCTV, conducting factory inspections, hosting visitors, completing audits, managing improvement projects and updating standard operating procedures.”

Looking ahead, Emma hopes to continue developing her career with ABP, "I hope to continue working within the primary processing sector, as I have discovered that this is where my passion and expertise lie. I love spending time in the lairage and really enjoy the animal welfare side of my job."

Emma's journey from Loughry student to Technical Manager highlights the value of combining academic study with practical industry experience and demonstrates the diverse opportunities available within the thriving agri-food sector. If you or someone you know thrives in a team environment, seeks a non-desk-bound career, enjoys practical problem-solving, values travel opportunities, and desires a challenging, yet rewarding career with promising job prospects, consider studying at Loughry Campus.

With a growing need for skilled and qualified professionals to drive innovation and promote sustainability CAFRE offers programmes in Food from Level 3 to BSc (Hons) degree, with apprenticeship options also available, courses are delivered at Loughry Campus, Cookstown. Join us at our next Open Day on Tuesday 6 October to meet our staff, view our facilities and learn more about our courses. To find out more and book your place, visit the CAFRE website.