Area Manager – Auckland, Waikato & Whangārei
About the Role
The ToolShed is looking for a commercially driven Area Manager to grow customer relationships and support our store teams across Auckland, Waikato, and Whangārei. This role will be based at our Penrose ToolShed store.
This is a dynamic, hands-on role divided evenly between the market and our branches. Approximately half your time will be spent out on the road—building profitable relationships with trade, commercial, and industrial clients. The other half will be spent providing practical leadership to Store Managers, coaching them to deliver exceptional customer service and strong retail results.
Key Responsibilities
Reporting to the Trade Sales and Operations Manager, your core duties include:
- Business Development: Build relationships with trade clients, grow key accounts, and convert new opportunities into repeat business.
- Territory Planning: Develop and execute a practical account-development plan across the region, conducting site visits and product demonstrations.
- Store Collaboration: Partner with Store Managers to coordinate sales activity and target growth opportunities, focusing on our private-label brands.
- Team Leadership: Coach, support, and mentor Store Managers to consistently hit sales, margin, stock, and expense targets.
- Operational Excellence: Ensure regional stores are safe, well-presented, properly staffed, and operating to company standards.
- Market Feedback: Maintain accurate customer pipeline data and provide strategic feedback on market trends, competitor activity, and product needs.
Skills and Experience
We are looking for a practical, confident leader who is equally comfortable in front of commercial clients and retail teams. To succeed, you will need:
- Proven Leadership: Experience in business development, account management, territory management, or multi-site retail leadership.
- Commercial Acumen: A strong track record of growing sales and working confidently with performance measures like margins and stock.
- Trade Credibility: The ability to build instant rapport with builders, contractors, engineers, and industrial customers.
- People Coaching: Strong skills in setting clear expectations, coaching staff, and following through on agreed actions.
- Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with tools, trade products, or the industrial sector is a major advantage.
- Territory Flexibility: A full New Zealand driver's licence and the flexibility to travel regularly throughout the region (including occasional overnight stays).
Why Join The ToolShed?
The ToolShed is a proudly Kiwi-owned business with a straightforward, hands-on culture and a strong national footprint. We offer:
- A highly diverse role combining frontline sales with multi-site retail management.
- Direct ownership of a vital, high-growth territory where you can make a visible difference.
- The autonomy to manage your own schedule alongside the backing of an experienced leadership team.
How to Apply
If you are commercially minded and love developing both people and customer relationships please apply with a copy of your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience to brent@thetoolshed.co.nz
