Network Development Lead

About Us

Lead. Grow. Transform.

Ford has a rich history of innovation, but our focus is firmly on the future. We continue to reinvent vehicles, developing groundbreaking connected and electric vehicles that will define the next century of mobility. 

Ford is a global company with shared ideals and a deep sense of family. From our earliest days as a pioneer of modern transportation. We are here to provide the means for every person to move and pursue their dreams, serving as a bridge between personal freedom and the future of mobility. In that pursuit, our 186,000 employees around the world help to set the pace of innovation every day.  

Ford New Zealand’s national head office is based in Auckland, serving our New Zealand customers through our national network of Ford dealerships. 

Why Ford?

For a century, we've been a driving force across New Zealand, building a legacy that truly speaks for itself. Leading the way, the Ranger continues its reign as New Zealand's No. 1 Selling Vehicle for more than 10 years, our iconic Mustang proudly holds its position as New Zealand’s No. 1 Sports Car, and the Ford Everest now holds a place in the top ten best-selling vehicles in the country.  

These remarkable achievements are a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation and a customer-focused approach that has delivered success across our entire lineup, giving us so much to be excited about! But we believe we do more than just build award-winning vehicles—we build careers.  

• Discounted Lease Car Options: Access to preferential rates on vehicle leases. 
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Opportunities for flexible scheduling and work environments. 
• Performance Bonuses: Eligibility for bonuses based on individual and business performance. 
• Growth and Development Opportunities: Extensive internal and external training programs to foster career advancement. 
• Discounted Southern Cross Health Insurance: Reduced rates on health coverage. 
• Vehicle Discounts: Special pricing on vehicles for employees and their family members. 
• Annual Wellness/Development Allowance: A $250 annual allowance for approved sports, hobbies, or educational pursuits. 
• Discounted Lease Car Options: Access to preferential rates on vehicle leases. 
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Opportunities for flexible scheduling and work environments. 
• Performance Bonuses: Eligibility for bonuses based on individual and business performance. 
• Growth and Development Opportunities: Extensive internal and external training programs to foster career advancement. 
• Discounted Southern Cross Health Insurance: Reduced rates on health coverage. 
• Vehicle Discounts: Special pricing on vehicles for employees and their family members. 
• Annual Wellness/Development Allowance: A $250 annual allowance for approved sports, hobbies, or educational pursuits. 

About The Role

As a Network Development Lead for Ford New Zealand, you will drive the development and optimization of systems and processes across our sales and service network. This role is crucial for improving financial outcomes, enhancing customer experience, and ensuring robust brand growth. You will oversee network performance monitoring, lead management, dealer tool adoption, process optimization, and dealer system ownership, with a core focus on upholding Ford's retail standards, managing margin optimization, and bench-marking dealer payments to foster financial health and high performance.  

This position reports directly to the Network Strategy Director and is based at our National Sales Company office in Auckland, New Zealand. The role operates under a hybrid work arrangement, requiring four days in the office.  

• Network Performance & Revenue Growth: Implement and rigorously monitor network and facility performance standards. You will develop and execute strategies to address underperformance and enhance overall efficiency. 
• Lead Management & Conversion: Take ownership of Auto Play and other key dealer lead generation tools. You will ensure the effective generation, qualification, nurturing, and conversion of leads across the dealer network, promoting efficient utilization of CRM systems and lead management platforms.  
• Process Optimization & Dealer Systems Ownership: Drive continuous process improvement initiatives throughout the dealer network to streamline operations, reduce inefficiencies, and elevate the customer journey.  
• Dealer Branded Retail Standards Management: Develop, implement, and rigorously enforce Ford's branded retail standards across the entire dealer network.  
• Margin Optimization & Dealer Payment Benchmarking: Lead initiatives to optimize dealer profitability and overall network margin. This includes collaborating with partners to analyze financial performance, identify opportunities for cost efficiencies and revenue enhancement, and ensure that adherence to dealer standards directly contributes to sustainable financial health.

About You

• Tertiary qualification in Sales, Marketing, Commerce, or a related field. 
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in automotive network development, dealer management, or similar roles, with a demonstrable track record of expanding dealer/service networks. 
• Proven ability to interpret financial statements, dealer performance reports, and retail industry dynamics, with strong financial proficiency in evaluating dealer profitability and investment opportunities. 
• Exceptional analytical and financial modelling skills. 

Equal Opportunity

Ford New Zealand is committed to building an inclusive work environment and welcome applications from all qualified members of our community. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, and all effort will be made to ensure diverse interviewers.   

If you require any support or adjustments to the recruitment process, please contact our Talent and Inclusion Lead Sarah at scastr34@ford.com. 

Applicants must be legally authorised to work in New Zealand. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.  

---Applications will close on Friday 24 October 2025, however, please do not delay your application as interviews may commence before this date--- 

Please note due to the high numbers of applications we will only be able to contact shortlisted candidates. 

*Ford Motor Company of Australia (Including New Zealand) Pty Limited ACN 004 116 223 (Ford) is collecting your personal information in order to consider you for a role at Ford. Ford may also collect personal information about you from third parties such as refereess and recruitment agencies for this purpose. Ford may disclose your personal information to its related companies and third party service providers for purposes such as screening and background checks, aptitude testing and health and safety and human resources management activities. Ford’s privacy policy (available at www.ford.com.au) states how you can seek to access or correct any personal information Ford holds about you, how to complain about a privacy breach by Ford and how Ford will deal with a privacy complaint. You can contact Ford at 13 FORD (13 36 73) or via the contact details set out in Ford’s privacy policy