Company Description
Clonakilty Distillery
is an award-winning craft spirits producer rooted on the southwest coast of Ireland. Our mission is to harness the natural advantages of our maritime environment—clean water, sea air, and rich soils—to produce exceptional Irish whiskey, gin, and vodka. Alongside production, we operate a
Visitor Experience & Retail Centre
, offering tours, tastings, and a distillery shop that showcase our passion for authenticity and quality.
Role Description
We are seeking a
General Manager / Head of Operations
to join our team in
Clonakilty
on a
full-time, on-site basis
.
This is a senior leadership role for a results-driven individual who will oversee operations across manufacturing, visitor experience, and support functions. The position offers a genuine opportunity to influence strategy, drive efficiency, and shape high-performing teams within a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead day-to-day operations, ensuring production, service, and business targets are achieved.
* Oversee distillery operations, visitor experience, and third-party services, driving growth and profitability.
* Develop and coach managers, fostering a culture of capability, ownership, and succession.
* Drive continuous improvement in performance, quality, cost control, and customer service.
* Champion compliance, health & safety, and operational excellence.
* Partner with the CEO on strategic initiatives and long-term business growth.
About You
We're looking for a
commercially minded operations leader
with a proven track record of delivering results and building empowered teams. You will bring:
* 5+ years' senior management experience, ideally within FMCG or the drinks industry.
* Strong expertise in large-scale operations, manufacturing best practice, and efficiency improvement.
* A track record of performance management, problem-solving, and leading change.
* Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and develop teams.
* A customer-focused and commercially aware mindset.
Closing Date:
Friday, 31st October 2025