White’s Oats, Ireland’s largest oat miller and leading breakfast cereal producer, has appointed Lauren Waddell as Agri Supply Chain Coordinator. Lauren will spearhead the strategic advancement of White’s local supply chain, driving innovation and development across its grower network to ensure a reliable, sustainable, and consistently high-quality supply of locally grown oats for customers.

In her new role, Lauren will manage all aspects of oat purchasing and supply, working directly with growers to ensure the highest standards of quality, traceability, and sustainability by inspecting crops and harvests as well as analysing oat samples. She will work closely with the network of White’s growers, oatfeed customers, and supply chain partners across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and Great Britain to enhance oat quality and the sustainability of oat production within the business.

Welcoming Lauren to the team, James Mathers, Managing Director, White’s Oats said, “We are delighted to welcome Lauren to the White’s Oats team. Her academic background, passion for the agri-food sector, and hands-on experience in agriculture make her an excellent fit for this role. Lauren’s appointment reinforces the White’s commitment to its oat supply chain and continued direct investment into research and development at farm level, whilst facilitating strong relationships with our growers.”

Originally from Co. Armagh, Lauren brings a strong academic background and practical industry experience to her new position, obtaining a BSc in Food Business Management from the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) where she developed a strong interest in Northern Ireland’s agri-food supply chain and the value of sourcing products locally. She also holds a National Diploma in Food Science, Technology and Manufacturing.

Prior to joining White’s, Lauren gained valuable industry experience through a placement in Northern Ireland Food Chain Certification and part-time work at Fane Valley Stores, and as a Sales Executive at Dunbia, where she built strong relationships within the agricultural community. Outside of work, Lauren is an active member of her local Young Farmers’ Club and enjoys socialising with friends.

Speaking about her appointment, Lauren said, “I look forward to continuing the excellent work that Stephen Mc Allister has been doing with White’s oat growers and partners over the years. With more people choosing healthier and more sustainable diets, the demand for oats has increased, and I am excited to play a hands-on role supporting our growers and supply chain partners to meet that demand and to help drive improvements in oat quality. I am also keen to continue to promote more sustainable farming practices across our grower network.”

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