New Markets Manager

Laminex New Zealand; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Laminex New Zealand, part of Fletcher Building, is seeking a commercially driven New Markets Manager to lead growth in Mandarin-speaking channels across New Zealand and select offshore opportunities. This is a build-from-scratch role with scope to shape go-to-market strategy.

You will map markets, develop networks with builders, developers, merchants, architects and specifiers, and collaborate with Sales, Technical, Manufacturing and Supply Chain to convert opportunities into profitable outcomes.

Qualifications

• Strong business development or commercial sales experience.
• Established networks in Mandarin-speaking business communities.
• Fluent in Mandarin and English, written and spoken.
• Experience in building products, construction, interiors or related industry.
• Export or international channel experience advantageous.
• Entrepreneurial approach in a strategy-building environment.

Responsibilities

• Build and deliver a growth strategy for Mandarin-speaking channels across New Zealand.
• Map the market and develop a network of builders, developers, merchants, architects, designers and specifiers.
• Create a customer and opportunity pipeline from the ground up.
• Identify new projects and influence product selection and specification.
• Explore new export markets, distributors and channel partners where Laminex has opportunities.
• Turn increased manufacturing capability into growth domestically and internationally.
• Work with Sales, Specification, Technical, Manufacturing and Supply Chain to turn opportunities into commercial outcomes.
• Build strong account planning, forecasting and market intelligence disciplines.

Skills

Business development

Commercial sales

Mandarin fluency

Networking

Export channels

Entrepreneurial mindset

Job description

Description

At Laminex, we're proud to be one of New Zealand's leading building products businesses. Backed by Fletcher Building, we manufacture trusted brands including Laminex, Formica, Melteca, Strandfloor and Lakepine MDF, supplying residential and commercial projects across New Zealand.

With our new Taupō manufacturing facility coming online, Laminex has a real opportunity to accelerate growth in New Zealand and explore new export markets. We’re looking for a commercially driven New Markets Manager to help turn that opportunity into profitable, sustainable growth. This is not a role where you inherit an established portfolio and simply manage what already exists. It’s an opportunity to build from the ground up.

You’ll lead the development of our Mandarin speaking builder, developer, merchant and specification channels in New Zealand, while also identifying and developing selected opportunities offshore. The role combines business development, market strategy, specification, channel development and export growth, with plenty of scope to shape how we go to market.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Build and deliver a growth strategy for Mandarin-speaking customer channels across New Zealand.
• Map the market and develop a strong network of builders, developers, merchants, architects, designers and specifiers.
• Create a customer and opportunity pipeline from the ground up.
• Identify new projects and influence product selection and specification.
• Explore new export markets, distributors and channel partners where Laminex has a strong opportunity to compete.
• Turn increased manufacturing capability into profitable domestic and international growth.
• Work closely with Sales, Specification, Technical, Manufacturing and Supply Chain to turn opportunities into commercial outcomes.
• Build strong account planning, forecasting and market intelligence disciplines.

What You’ll Bring

You’ll be someone who gets energy from creating opportunities rather than simply managing an existing portfolio.

Ideally, You’ll Have

• Strong business development or commercial sales experience.
• Established networks or the ability to build credibility within Mandarin-speaking business communities.
• Fluent in Mandarin and English, both written and verbal
• Experience in building products, construction, interiors or a related industry would be highly valuable.
• Enough technical understanding of building products to add value with builders, developers and specifiers.
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to turn opportunities into profitable business.
• Export or international channel experience would be advantageous.
• An entrepreneurial approach and comfort working in an environment where the strategy is still being built.

Why Laminex?

The opportunity here is significant. You’ll have the strength and backing of Laminex and Fletcher Building behind you, alongside increased manufacturing capability in Taupō and significant headroom to grow both locally and internationally.

Rather than stepping into a mature market, you’ll have the opportunity to build the strategy, customer network and channels that will become an important part of Laminex’s future growth.

If you’re commercially ambitious, well connected and excited by the opportunity to build something rather than simply maintain it, we’d love to hear from you.