Dominic Kelleher, Fresh Food Manager of Herlihy’s Centra in Fermoy, was named Supermarket Delicatessen / Food to Go Manager of the Year Award at the recent National Grocery Management Awards, having previously received the Protein & Provisions Manager of the Year Award in 2019.
Dominic’s colleague at Herlihy’s Centra in Bishopstown, Rebecca Murphy, was also honoured with the Large C-Store Manager of the Year Award to complete a memorable double for the Herlihy Supermarket Group. Established in 1980 when former Musgrave Group director Pat and Maureen Herlihy opened their first Centra in Bishopstown, the Herlihy Group now operates six other Centras in the Cork area – Mallow, Millstreet, Patrick Street, Oliver Plunkett Street, Grand Parade and Fermoy. Fronted by Brian and Kevin Herlihy – Pat and Maureen’s sons – since 1990, the family business employs 250 people and continues to go from strength to strength.
One of the most eagerly anticipated events in the Irish retail calendar, the National Grocery Management Awards is Ireland’s premier scheme for recognising and honouring management excellence. To win one is a high point in the career of many of Ireland’s best performing managers from across a variety of categories and at various levels of career progression. The event is also the principal event for managers from across all wholesale brands to gather with colleagues, business partners, suppliers and friends.
An old head on young shoulders – he won’t be 30 until July – Dominic was delighted to receive his award from Ray Murphy, Bunzl Ireland Sales Director, at a gala event which took place at the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire on May 18 last.
“It’s great recognition for our team and for the outstanding work they do each and every day,” the affable Fresh Food Manager says.
“Herlihy’s Centra Fermoy employs 55 people in total and 18 of them are in the fresh food department which I manage. It’s a real team effort. We are a small supermarket with a focus on convenience and small trolley shops. I oversee all the fresh departments within the store, including prep bakery, confectionary bakery, deli / kitchen, butchers / fish, provisions, fruit & veg, dairy and frozen.
“Management is about making tough decisions and in the autumn of 2022, we closed our meat counter as it had become unviable economically. This decision significantly reduced our cost base, while there has been no reduction in sales. So far in 2023, fresh sales have grown by 3.2% with the deli up 9%.”
He continues: “Any manager is only as good as the team you have behind you. We are always encouraging our employees on innovation and we take all new ideas on board. The main thing is to listen and if you work hard for your employees, they will work hard for you.
“We do yearly appraisals. This gives our employees an opportunity to have their say. My door is always open. I believe it’s important to have a healthy relationship with your employees, not to micro-manage, and let your team take ownership and responsibility.”
Man of the Match with Strand United in two Cup finals, Dominic is a young, ambitious and highly-motivated individual who in a relatively short time has made significant career progression with the Herlihy Group. He has been in retail for 14 years, the last nine of which have been with the Herlihy Group.
“I started out in Bishopstown where Rebecca Murphy worked in the bakery. She’s now Store Manager there and I was thrilled to see her win the Large C-Store Manager of the Year Award. She was also recognised in 2020 in winning that award, so it is a double for her also. Since coming to Fermoy, I’ve learned a lot from Store Manager Denise Cummins. Denise has vast experience which she is always willing to share and previously won the Deli / Food to Go Manager of the Year Award in 2018. At the start of this year she became Store Manager and I was promoted to Fresh Food Manager,” he explains.
Based on Patrick Street and boasting over 9,000 sq. ft., Herlihy’s Centra Fermoy is the largest store in the Herlihy Group which it has been part of since 2003. The store underwent a major revamp in 2019 which transformed its offering. Passionate about fresh food is the motto of the group, while the scratch bakery instore supplies an extensive range of bespoke products to all stores within the group. These include delicious and wholesale homemade breads, scones, tarts, brownies and all cakes for special occasions from the confectionary bakery.
“Everything in our scratch bakery, confectionary bakery and deli is freshly made. We have a fully-equipped production facility,” Dominic points out.
“Our deli is all about offering, range and presentation. Takeaway options, an online catering menu and a delivery service are available. We’re also renowned for our carvery, and benefit from the loyalty of returning customers on a daily basis.
“Our staff really take the time to get acquainted with our customers. This attention to detail and willingness to help and take care of customers doesn’t go unnoticed. Our customers expect the best when they come into our store and that is exactly what they get from the quality of our products to the service they receive. Our products and service are second to none.”
In addition, Herlihy’s Centra Fermoy features a large sit-down area that can cater for 32 people, Moo’d handcrafted Irish ice-cream, Donnybrook Fair, off-licence, frozen food section, general groceries and a customer toilet.
“They’re a great company to work for,” Dominic says of the Herlihy Group.
“They’re always eager to involve staff in decisions or projects. They’re very transparent. The Herlihy family are very hands-on. Brian is the Managing Director and his brother Kevin (Operations Director) oversees the (Cork) city stores. In October 2021, their sister Claire rejoined the business to take responsibility for training and food safety. Other key personnel include Maurice Flynn, who is Operations Manager and oversees the country stores.”
Proud to support local, Herlihy’s Centra Fermoy supports a wide number of local charities and organisations such as Marymount Hospice and Blackwater Search & Rescue and for the last two years has been involved in supporting the St Colman’s College Harty Cup hurling team.
“It’s our way of giving something back,” states Dominic, who concludes by thanking his colleagues, customers and suppliers for their continued support.
Herlihy’s Centra
36-40 Patrick Street,
Fermoy,
Co. Cork.
P61 HP77.
Telephone: 025 32611
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.herlihycentra.ie
First published in Grocery & Retail Ireland magazine Vol 2 No 1, Summer 2023
