National Network Development Manager

Chery; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Chery Australia is seeking a Network Development Manager to grow and strengthen the FREELANDER dealer network across the country. The role requires identifying and appointing dealers, ensuring brand standards, and collaborating with CJLR teams on designs and implementations.

The position involves travel and close coordination with both Chery and Freelander leadership. The ideal candidate will bring automotive dealer development or franchise management experience, strong relationship skills with

Qualifications

• Experience in automotive dealer development or franchise management.
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to engage senior decision-makers.
• Willingness to travel 50–70% within the region.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a Network Strategy to secure a strong dealer network.
• Identify potential dealers and facilitate agreements; collaborate with global teams on designs.
• Oversee retailer application and activation to meet brand standards.
• Identify new market locations for expansion; monitor business performance.
• Coordinate construction, approvals, and project delivery on time and budget.
• Gather market information to support site and dealer decisions.
• Ensure latest programs, trainings, standards, and tools are implemented across the network.

Skills

Dealer development

Franchise management

Stakeholder engagement

Commercial acumen

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. was founded on January 8, 1997, in Wuhu, Anhui Province, China. Chery has been built upon the philosophy of independent innovation, developing a complete technology and product R&D system, producing several award-winning car models.

Chery products are exported to more than 80 countries and regions in the world. Chery auto is the trusted JV partner for other brands, such as JAGUAR, LAND ROVER in China. So far, more than 7 million units have been sold, making Chery the first Chinese automobile to achieve this sales milestone and ranks No. 1 in China for 15 years in a row.

With global R&D centres in China, Silicon Valley, USA and Europe, the company has established 14 productions across China, and other markets. Chery currently has 16,721 employees, among whom 3,500 are R&D staff.

The Chery Australia subsidiary was established three years ago, with offices in Sydney and are continuing to build a team of experts to drive innovation and disrupt the market.

BUSINESS UNIT OVERVIEW

FREELANDER is an all-new vehicle brand created through Chery Jaguar Land Rover (CJLR), the established 50:50 joint venture between Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. In June 2024, JLR and Chery signed a Letter of Intent to license the Freelander name — first introduced by Land Rover in 1997 — to CJLR, reviving it as an independent brand built for the next era of electrification.

Freelander operates as its own dedicated portfolio, separate from both Chery's existing line-up and JLR's luxury House of Brands. Vehicles are engineered and manufactured at CJLR's Changshu facility in China, combining Chery's electric vehicle architecture and manufacturing scale with design input from both Chery and JLR creative teams.

The brand's first model, the Freelander 8, was previewed as the Concept 97 in March 2026 and unveiled in production form in April 2026. It is a full-size SUV offered with plug-in hybrid (PHEV), battery-electric (BEV) and extended-range electric (EREV) powertrain options. Freelander launched initially into China's mainstream new-energy vehicle (NEV) market through a dedicated retail network, with confirmed plans for global expansion including testing and market entry in Australia.

For Chery Motor Australia, Freelander represents a new growth pillar: a distinct, purpose-built brand bringing next-generation electrified SUVs to the Australian market alongside Chery's existing range.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Network Development Manager is responsible for growing and strengthening FREELANDER Dealer Network, ensuring the right partners are in the right locations to support the brand's growth ambitions. The role leads Dealer site identification and appointment, manages network standards and performance, and works closely with dealer partners to build a professional, customer-focused retail network across the country.

REPORTS TO

Head of Brand

DIRECT REPORTS

N/A (However as growth of brand it is likely this role will have some responsibilities for training & development and potential for a specialist to support the business)

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Freelander and Chery Group leadership teams
• Freelander and Chery HQ team based in both Sydney and Wuhu
• Adjacent Network development teams from other Chery brands
• CI agencies, providers and installers

KEY RESPONSIBLTIES

• Develop and implement a Network Strategy plan to secure a strong dealer network for current and future business.
• Identify potential dealers and facilitate the agreement signing process. Work closely with the global team on designs and drawings for new dealer builds.
• Oversee the retailer application and activation processes to ensure brand retail representation standards are met.
• Identify and assess new market locations for dealership expansion and monitor business performance.
• Facilitate the construction and architectural approval processes for smooth delivery of projects on time and budget.
• Gather market information to support site selection and dealer selection decisions.
• Collaborate with central functions to ensure the latest programs, trainings, standards, and tools are implemented and maintained within the network.

REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate brings deep experience in automotive Dealer development or franchise management, continuous improvement specialities, strong commercial acumen, and the credibility to engage senior decision-makers within Dealer groups. Experience working with new market entrants or emerging automotive brands will be highly regarded.

Other requirements are:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (preferred)
• 5+ years of experience in a similar role or industry
• Strong experience managing relationships with franchised automotive Dealers
• Knowledge of the automobile distribution network and customer needs
• Excellent project management skills, with experience in site selection, architecture/construction approval processes, and franchise standard implementation
• A passion for innovation and business development in new markets
• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced work environment
• Willingness to travel 50% - 70% throughout the region.