Head of Warehousing

Location: On site / Cork, Ireland
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: FMCG Warehouse
Salary: Negotiable salary

Head of Warehousing Cork Permanent

Kilkenny Design, an iconic FMCG omnichannel business, is seeking an experienced Head of Warehousing to join our Cork based team. This is a key leadership role within a growing and innovative organisation.

Reporting to the CEO, you will lead all logistics operations across warehousing, inventory, transportation, and supply chain for our online platform and 20 retail stores nationwide. You will ensure the efficient, cost effective flow of stock from suppliers to warehouse and stores, while delivering a best in class customer experience across B2C and B2B channels.

A hands on leader, you will build and develop high performing teams, drive operational excellence, and work closely with Retail, Buying, IT and Ecommerce to deliver a seamless fulfilment experience in a fast paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead inventory accuracy and stock integrity across 20 stores and online operations through robust controls, cycle counting, and KPI governance.
• Optimise warehouse layout, space utilisation, and stock flow, while supporting retail teams with effective storeroom design.
• Lead workforce planning and resource allocation in line with annual budgets and operational demand.
• Deliver key transformation projects, including systems integration and technology implementation.
• Champion health & safety compliance and operational standards across all logistics activities.
• Develop and lead a high performing team through hands on coaching, training, and on the floor leadership.

The Role

• Own end to end supply chain planning across warehouse and omnichannel operations, ensuring alignment with demand and capacity.
• Develop and optimise the warehouse operating model to support growth, efficiency, and scalability.
• Lead cross functional initiatives to improve efficiency across fulfilment, stock handling, and dispatch, embedding continuous improvement.
• Own P&L and Capex budgets, ensuring cost control, efficiency, and alignment with business priorities.
• Lead WMS development, automation, and data capability in partnership with IT.
• Define and manage operational KPIs across inventory, cost, safety, and carrier performance.
• Own inventory governance and supplier performance management in partnership with Buying.
• Manage logistics partners and carriers, ensuring SLA delivery, service quality, and commercial value.
• Partner with Retail and Ecommerce to deliver seamless omnichannel fulfilment, including OTIF, speed, accuracy, productivity and same day delivery.
• Drive continuous improvement through operational reviews and post peak learnings.
• Own and enhance inventory systems to ensure control, accuracy, and efficiency across the Group.

Leadership & Culture

• Build a customer first, high performance culture across all warehouse and logistics teams.
• Develop capability through structured performance management, coaching, and succession planning.
• Drive engagement, retention, and team development at all levels.
• Ensure clear accountability for KPIs, standards, and operational delivery.
• Lead health & safety strategy with a zero compromise approach.
• Own audit readiness, risk management, SOP governance, and incident reporting.
• Champion Kilkenny Group values-One Team, Doing the Right Thing, Champion Irishness, Customer First through consistent leadership behaviours.
• Demonstrate agility and commercial awareness in a fast changing retail and logistics environment.

Candidate Profile

• 10+ years' experience in supply chain, warehouse operations, including at least 5 years in a managerial role.
• Omnichannel retail warehousing experience (advantage).
• Proven track record in project delivery, operational improvement, and team leadership.
• Commercial and numerical capability, including P&L and budget management.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and lead at all levels.
• Innovative, solutions focused approach to planning and problem solving.
• Health & safety knowledge; relevant certifications (fire, first aid, forklift) an advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver a best in class logistics and customer service operation.

Due to the large number of applications for this role we will only be able to contact those successful candidates. Kilkenny Design is a progressive employer with a values based culture and a emphasis on people development.