Chief Executive Officer/General Manager

The Inishowen Co-operative Society Ltd. is a thriving farm supplier and local builders’ merchants that has been serving the local community for over 50 years. From humble beginnings and initial registration as a society in January 1963, the Co-op today comprises 3 leading retail stores strategically situated across the peninsula in Carndonagh, Moville and Buncrana as well as a busy Mart. There is a small, satellite store in Co. Sligo and a newly acquired store, Limavady Agri & Build Supplies Ltd. in Northern Ireland. Central to the operation of the Co-op is its philosophy of community-centred, collective action. It draws on a proud history and heritage of local people voluntarily co-operating for mutual economic and social benefit. With a complement of approximately 70 staff, the Co-op competes effectively with domestic and international chains, priding itself on competitive prices, a friendly service and a welcoming shop environment. The main product lines within the retail operation at present comprise Agricultural Feed and Fertiliser products with other lines including General Hardware, Electric, Plumbing and Clothing, Fencing and Gates, Tools and Paint and Building Products. Whilst enjoying diversification in product lines, the core purpose of the Co-op remains to provide the goods and services needed to support the development of farming, building and the community within Inishowen. 

With severe challenges facing the local community in a key border area, the Board of Inishowen Co-operative Society now wish to recruit a dynamic individual who will lead the organisation going forward.

Job Purpose

To positively pursue the mission and goals of the Inishowen Co-op for the maximum benefit of its members and for the benefit of the wider community in Inishowen.

Key Responsibilities

The jobholder will be required to:

1.    Leadership

• Liaise with the Board, the management team, staff and wider stakeholders in developing a vision and plan for the future direction, growth and expansion of the Co-op;
• Regularly communicate the plan and overall goals to staff, regularly revising and updating the plan, as required;
• Create a cohesive and supportive work environment in which people are treated with respect and are encouraged, developed and supported to perform at their best;
• Develop a performance culture introducing systems for effectively managing performance at all levels in the organisation;
• Develop the senior management team, providing them with the necessary supports, autonomy and resources to deliver agreed objectives;
• Encourage a culture of collaborative working across all sites and functions with staff working for the common good and in pursuit of the same goal.

2.    Organisational Change

• Help embed, evaluate and build upon recently introduced changes e.g. to systems for stock management;
• Oversee the migration of the current HR Advisory service to a full HR business partner model, in which HR works openly across the organisation to support all business goals (with a key focus on staff training);
• Regularly review the shape, structure and content of the organisation to ensure it remains fit for purpose;
• Work proactively with the Board and Council of Management to scope, prioritise and progress key internal change programmes designed to enhance 1) Governance standards 2) Levels of Customer Service 3) PR and branding and 4) Staff Engagement;
• Create a culture of innovation in which new ideas for products and services for farmers (and wider customers) are continuously encouraged and explored;
• Play a key role in actively exploring the opportunities and threats associated with digital transformation on all future aspects of the Co-op’s business (e.g. the role of social media in marketing);
• Play a key role in preparing the Co-op to anticipate and plan for key challenges in the external operating environment including Brexit and ongoing challenges to farming.

3.    Operational Responsibility

• Oversee core aspects of the Co-op’s operations including:
• Sales;
• Purchasing;
• Credit Control;
• Stock management;
• Staffing and Human Resources;
• Security;
• Health and Safety;
• Customer Service (and Complaints);
• Audit / Quality standards / Ethical compliance.
• Oversee the effective and efficient operation of all the Co-op sites including:
• The Mart; 
• Retail outlets in Carndonagh, Moville, Buncrana, Co. Sligo and Limavady. 
• Serve on the management committee of Inisleigh Co-operative Farm Foods Ltd (a mill in which Inishowen Co-op has a 48.5% share).
  • At least five years’ experience, within the last 10 years, of working at senior management level providing effective leadership in an organisation comprising at least 50 staff and with an annual budget / turnover of at least €12m
  • A third level qualification in a relevant area such as Agriculture, Retail Management, Business Studies, Accountancy, Finance, Corporate Governance
  • Knowlegdge of the rules and regulations of a Co-operative Society
  • Knowledge of the Inishowen locality
  • Knowledge / experience of working in the Co-operative sector
  • Knowledge of the farming industry and challenges therein

  • Essential Criteria

    Applicants must possess the following competencies:

    A.         Strategic & Commercial Thinking

    Develops and implements the strategic plan for the Co-op. Is aware of the Co-op’s position within the wider market and the local community. Stays abreast of industry trends and competitor activity. Makes sound commercial decisions. Identifies and exploits opportunities to grow and expand the business whilst effectively assessing and managing risk.

    B.         Focus on Results

    Takes responsibility and accountability for delivering all goals and objectives delegated to him/her by the Board. Seeks quality outcomes in all areas, building relationships and working through others to deliver strong results and maximum return for members and shareholders. Places a key emphasis on customer service.

    C.         Engages and Inspires Others

    Treats people with respect and communicates effectively at all levels. Builds strong teams, creating a sense of pride and a one-team approach. Consults, involves and listens to staff. Gives people responsbility and holds them to account. Recognises and rewards contributions. Encourages and coaches others enabling them to grow. Manages poor performance.

    D.         Enabling Change & Improvement

    Works collaboratively with the Board, the Council, management team and staff to prioritise and implement the necessary change programme. Monitors the impact of change. Involves staff and others achieving buy-in for change. Encourages a culture of innovation among staff and others.

    E.         Personal Characteristics and Values

    Is resilient, balanced and self-aware. Is open to feedback and seeks to continually enhance his/her own knowledge and skills. Acts with integrity upholding the Co-op values of openness, transparency, self-help and loyalty. Maintains confidentiality. Takes decisions at all times solely in the best interests of the Co-op without undue influence from outside or personal concerns.

    Desirable Criteria

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  4.    Relationships and Partnership Working

  • Act as an ambassador within the local community positively representing the interests of the Co-op at local business and social events;
  • Oversee the development of new projects and initiatives designed to strengthen the two-way links between the Co-op and the community (e.g. bonus share schemes, loyalty cards, sponsorship, opportunities to create local employment);
  • Contribute to the creation of an open, productive, supportive and appropriately challenging relationship between the executive team and the Board and Council of Management;
  • Regularly attend and present at key meetings e.g. AGMs, Board meetings, Council meetings;
  • Constantly build, maintain and review key strategic relationships vital to the success of the Co-op e.g. with shareholders, farmers, suppliers, customers, advisors, statutory and regulatory bodies.

  5.    Financial

  In collaboration with the Board, Council and management team, help build long-term financial sustainability for the organisation.

  Eligibility Criteria:

  Applicants should have, by the closing date for applications: