Branch Manager

Branch Manager – Large Format Retail

Auckland | Large Format Retail | Specialist Category

Big store. Big team. Plenty to get your hands around.

We are looking for an accomplished Branch Manager who knows what it takes to lead a large-format retail operation — someone commercially sharp, operationally strong and passionate about building a team that really knows their stuff.

This is not a role for someone who wants to manage from the office.

You will be visible on the floor, close to your team and across the numbers. You will know what is selling, where the opportunities are, what needs attention and how your people are performing.

The environment is busy, seasonal and constantly moving, so you will need to be comfortable making decisions, changing gears and keeping a sizeable operation moving in the right direction.

What you will be taking ownership of

You will have responsibility for the overall performance of the branch, bringing together the commercial, operational and people sides of the business.

That means:

• Leading, coaching and developing a large retail team
• Driving sales, profitability and productivity through strong commercial leadership
• Building capability across the team, with a strong focus on product knowledge and confident customer advice
• Understanding your numbers and using them to identify opportunities and lift performance
• Maintaining strong standards across stock, inventory, merchandising and presentation
• Planning and adapting around seasonal trading patterns and changing customer demand
• Creating a culture where people are engaged, accountable and continually developing
• Making sure customers receive more than great service — they leave with advice they can trust

There is another layer to this role

Our client operates in a category where knowledge matters.

Customers are often looking for more than a product. They want someone who can understand what they are trying to achieve, ask the right questions and give them knowledgeable, practical advice.

Horticulture sits at the heart of this retail environment, and the depth of knowledge across the team is a big part of what sets the customer experience apart. That expertise takes time to build, which means developing the capability of your people will be an important part of your role.

You do not need to be a horticultural expert from day one. What is important is that you have a genuine interest in the category, are prepared to immerse yourself in it, and understand how to build a team culture where knowledge is continually developed, shared and translated into great advice for customers.

If you already bring experience or knowledge across plants, gardening or horticulture, even better — but it is not a prerequisite.

Who we are looking for

You will already be a successful Branch Manager, Store Manager or senior retail leader with experience running a sizeable, complex retail operation.

Large-format experience is important. We are looking for someone who understands the moving parts that come with significant stock volumes, a large team, changing customer demand and a busy trading environment.

You are likely to be someone who:

• Has proven experience leading a large-format retail store or branch
• Has led, coached and developed sizeable teams
• Understands retail P&Ls, budgets, KPIs and commercial performance
• Is confident managing significant stock volumes and inventory
• Knows how to drive sales while keeping the customer experience front and centre
• Is a strong people leader who can build capability, accountability and engagement
• Is commercially minded and comfortable making decisions in a fast-moving environment
• Is curious and keen to immerse yourself in a specialist category
• Can navigate competing priorities and seasonal peaks
• Is comfortable being hands-on and visible across the operation

Above all, you will be the kind of leader who can bring people with you. You will set clear expectations, coach rather than simply direct, and create an environment where people want to perform at their best.

The opportunity

This is a chance to take ownership of a significant Auckland retail operation within an established New Zealand business in category customers are genuinely passionate about.

You will have the scale and complexity of a large-format operation, alongside the opportunity to build a highly capable team and create a customer experience based on genuine expertise.

There is plenty to make your mark on — your people, your customers and the commercial performance of your branch.

If you are an experienced large-format retail leader who combines commercial capability, strong people leadership and a genuine appetite to learn, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now or get in touch with My Retail Career for a confidential conversation.

Applications close Friday 4th September 2026, 5pm.