Lead People. Grow Customers. Inspire Creativity.
About the Business
Our key client is an established New Zealand business with a strong reputation for delivering quality products, exceptional service and innovative solutions to customers nationwide.
Operating within the creative gift packaging and consumables industry, our success is built on outstanding customer relationships, a passionate team and a commitment to delivering products that help our customers create memorable experiences.
As they continue to grow, we’re looking for an experienced and commercially minded General Manager to help lead the next stage of our journey.
About the Role
This is a genuine leadership opportunity for someone who enjoys building relationships, growing sales and developing high-performing teams.
Reporting to the Directors, you’ll take responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and commercial performance of the business while working closely with the ownership team to identify new opportunities, strengthen customer partnerships and drive sustainable growth.
This isn’t a role for someone who prefers to sit behind a desk. We’re looking for a leader who enjoys being out with customers, coaching people, identifying opportunities and rolling up their sleeves when needed.
While commercial leadership is critical, this business also values creativity, product presentation and innovation. An appreciation for merchandising, design-led products, seasonal trends and customer experience will help you succeed in this role.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and inspire a national team across sales, customer service, warehousing and operations.
- Coach, mentor and develop your team to achieve both individual and business success.
- Drive sustainable sales growth through existing customers and new business opportunities.
- Build trusted relationships with key customers and strategic partners.
- Identify new market opportunities and contribute to the ongoing growth of the business.
- Develop and implement commercial initiatives that improve business performance and profitability.
- Work closely with the Directors to execute strategic priorities and business objectives.
- Ensure operational excellence across customer service, inventory, warehousing and product delivery.
- Foster a positive, collaborative and accountable team culture.
- Champion continuous improvement across systems, processes and customer experience.
- Maintain a strong customer focus while supporting the creativity, innovation and presentation standards that differentiate the business.
You’ll lead a passionate national team of seven direct reports, including:
- Three Sales Representatives based in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
- Warehouse Manager.
- Product & Showroom Manager.
- Accounts.
- Customer Service.
You’re someone who naturally creates momentum.
You’re commercially astute, approachable and highly organised, with the ability to balance strategic thinking with execution. You’re equally comfortable discussing business growth with the Directors, visiting customers, coaching your team or helping solve day-to-day operational challenges.
You enjoy working with people, are patient under pressure and understand that long-term success comes from developing strong relationships with both customers and your team.
Most importantly, you’re a leader who enjoys growing businesses just as much as growing people.
Skills & Experience
To be successful in this role, you’ll ideally bring:
- Previous experience in a General Manager, Commercial Manager, National Sales Manager, Business Development Manager or Senior Key Account Management role.
- A proven ability to grow sales, develop customer relationships and identify new business opportunities.
- Strong people leadership experience with a genuine passion for coaching and developing teams.
- Excellent commercial acumen with the ability to make sound business decisions.
- An entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive, solutions-focused approach.
- Outstanding communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
- Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities.
- The ability to think strategically while remaining hands-on in the day-to-day operation.
- An appreciation for businesses where creativity, presentation and customer experience are key competitive advantages.
- Experience within wholesale, distribution, retail, FMCG, packaging, gifting, homewares or other design-led industries will be highly regarded.
- A genuine opportunity to lead an established and respected New Zealand business.
- A broad leadership role with autonomy and the opportunity to make a real impact.
- A supportive ownership team that values initiative, collaboration and fresh thinking.
- A competitive remuneration package, including performance incentives and a company vehicle.
- The opportunity to work within a creative, fast-paced industry where every day is different.
- A passionate team and an enjoyable, collaborative working environment.
- Profit share incentive + Company vehicle
This is more than a General Manager role.
It’s an opportunity to help shape the future of a successful New Zealand business, lead a talented team, build lasting customer relationships and contribute to an industry where creativity, innovation and commercial success go hand in hand.
If you’re an energetic leader who enjoys growing businesses, inspiring people and delivering exceptional customer experiences, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply now by submitting your CV and a brief cover letter outlining why this opportunity is the right fit for you.