Dawn Meats was delighted to accept the awards for ‘Best Beef Product’, ‘Best Red Meat Product’ and ‘Young Manager of the Year’ at this year’s Meat Management Industry Awards which took place at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Wednesday 28th June 2017.
As one of the highlights of the meat industry calendar, the annual Meat Management Industry Awards sets a benchmark for recognising excellence throughout the meat industry. Dawn Meats was awarded ‘Best Beef Product’ for their Extra Special Slow Cooked West Country Teriyaki Beef Rib as supplied to Asda. The product was also selected as overall winner of the ‘Best Red Meat Product’ which recognises the top product from the three category winners – Beef, Lamb and Pork/Pigmeat.
Commenting, Kristian Gabrielson, Asda Account Manager, Dawn Meats said: “We are proud to have been awarded ‘Best Beef Product’ and chosen as ‘Best Red Meat Product’. We attribute this success to the innovative approach our dedicated and passionate team take and our commitment to quality combined with our expertise and exceptional customer service”.
Other products from Dawn Meats to receive recognition on the night included:
Chuck ‘n’ Rib Beef Burger – Finalist – Best Burger
ASDA Extra Special Slow Cooked Lamb Tagine – Highly Commended – Best Lamb Product
ASDA Extra Special Slow Cooked Coq au Vin – Finalist – Best Poultry Product
Young Manager of the Year Award
Gerard Kennedy, Site Operations Manager at Highland Meats, a division of Dawn Meats (UK) has been named ‘Young Manager of the Year’ at this year’s Meat Management Industry Awards.
To be considered for the award Meat Management were looking for candidates under the age of 34 with initiative, someone to watch for in the future and someone who is looking at the industry as a whole, not just within their specific job role and the day to day running of the business or department.
Having first joined as a graduate in 2009 Ger progressed quickly through the Graduate Training Programme, and worked across numerous sites in both the UK and Ireland. In 2014, Ger took over as Site Operations Manager in Highland Meats. Under Ger’s management, the site of 280 people is a strong inclusive team who strive for continuous improvement. The site has improved all of its’ key customer quality & service scores, including complaints and audit results. In addition, throughputs in the factory have increased while budget and cost control measures have been tightened and improved.
As part of the award process, Ger was interviewed by a panel of 5 industry professionals. The interview process involved taking a dive into his history within the industry, his ambitions and where he sees himself in 5-10 years. Ger also had to provide his views on the meat industry, what he sees for the future of the industry, the challenges it faces and how these challenges may be tackled.
The panel included: Keith Fisher, Chief executive, Institute of Meat, Bill Jermey, Chief executive, Food & Drink Training & Education Council Ltd, Rob Smith, Director of Blue Fish Marketing Consultancy and Meat Management magazine contributor, Christine Walsh, Managing director, Meat & Livestock Commercial Services, Emily Ansell-Elfer, Editor, Meat Management magazine and Graham Yandell, publisher of Meat Management magazine as Chair.
Commenting on Ger’s award, Ken Hallahan, UK Operations Director, Dawn Meats said: “Ger’s inclusive and supportive management style has allowed him to be successful in the development of both the Highland Meats site itself and the management team. His leadership skills and approach have helped him to drive through a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration across functions and responsibilities”.
Helen Rees, Group HR, Dawn Meats said: “Ger is an excellent example of the progression that may be achieved by graduates through the Dawn Meats Brighter Futures programme. His rapid rise through the company is testament to his hardworking and meticulous nature. Ger demonstrates all the key skills and characteristics required to succeed in this industry and is a real asset to the business”.
https://meatmanagement.com/best-of-the-uk-meat-industry-honoured-at-meat-management-industry-awards/
