Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Industry positions
Place of Birth
Telephone - Mobile
Personal Information
Hobbies and Interests
Timeline
Generic

Chris Byrne

Birkenhead,Auckland

Summary

Experienced Country Manager with solid background in managing operations across diverse activities. Good strategic thinker and planner Strong technical product focus. Good understanding of business practice/ business controls. Strong history of success/ positive business development. Considerable experience in NZ and Australian electrical/trade /construction industry. Good history of sales team management and building strong team management skills. Extensive International experience in Electrical Trade Distribution (Australia, Asia, Europe) Proven track record of overcoming complex business challenges and making high-stakes decisions using experience-backed judgement, strong work ethic, and irreproachable integrity.

Overview

45
45
years of professional experience

Work History

Country Manager

Thorn Lighting
01.2012 - Current
  • Full responsibility for NZ operation.
  • Transitioned the business from full manufacturing business to importation business.
  • Led various successful projects, such as the creation of new facilities and the integration of an ERP system.
  • Implemented effective strategies for improving sales training and achieving outstanding performance
  • Deliver regular and detailed monthly reporting for various business areas
  • Managed and maintained all crucial partnerships with distributors and suppliers
  • Delivered steady growth in alignment with company's global strategies.
  • Engaged customers through events, trade shows, webinars and other channels to build brand awareness and loyalty.

General Manager

Modus Lighting
01.2004 - 01.2012
  • Responsible for all day to day and strategic operations to a full P and L, and balance sheet level
  • Modus was involved in most areas of the New Zealand Lighting specification market, in projects range from residential through commercial to large public and Infrastructure projects, but with a strong architectural focus
  • Modus both manufacturers product locally, (Modus brand) as well as representing several quality European brands.

Sales and Marketing Manager (Aus and NZ)

Philips Lighting
North Ryde, Sydney
05.2001 - 04.2004
  • Solely accountable for managing and optimizing their Commercial Channels consisting of Wholesale and Original Equipment Manufacturers.
  • Implemented a successful transition from a direct to distributor model, redefining trade distribution for the professional market.
  • Partnered with distributor to conduct comprehensive training sessions for wholesalers, leading to the achievement of reseller credentials.
  • Managed national sales and demand generation team across all states in Australia

National Sales Manager/General Manager

Enlightenz
06.2000 - 05.2001
  • Led the successful transformation of the business as contract manager over a 12-month period.
  • Enlightenz was a privately owned Auckland based importer/agent for TRILUX, a renowned German lighting brand.

National Sales Manager

LORETTO DISTRIBUTORS LTD.
11.1995 - 06.2000
  • LORETTO Distributors is a privately owned Auckland based company, manufacturing a range of recessed lighting products.

National Sales Manager

BLUE POINT PRODUCTS LTD.
08.1990 - 10.1995
  • Supplying electrical accessories to the electrical wholesale industry.

Sales Engineer/ Auckland Area Manager

CUTHBERT STEWART LIMITED.
01.1986 - 01.1990
  • Responsible for the development of Sales from their new Auckland sales office.

Arena Manager

INDOOR CRICKET ARENAS (NZ) LTD.
01.1985 - 01.1986
  • Managed a sports facility.

Sales Engineer

JAMES HARDIE ELECTRICAL.
01.1984 - 01.1985
  • Promoted JHE switchgear to the electrical industry in the North Island.

Lighting Cadet/Lighting Engineer

NATIONAL ELECTRICAL & ENGINEERING CO.
01.1980 - 01.1984
  • Studied Part time for NZCE whilst working in a busy design office.
  • Progressed from Design cadet to Sales Engineer involved in large projects..

Education

Rosmini College
Takapuna, Auckland

Auckland Technical Institute
Auckland

Auckland Institute of Technology
Auckland

Skills

  • P&L Management
  • Technical product focus
  • Business development
  • Project management
  • Supply management
  • Sales team management
  • Team building
  • International experience
  • Standards committee participation
  • Sales management
  • Budget Administration
  • Strategic Planning
  • Staff Training and Development
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Industry positions

  • Chairman of NZ lighting industry group, Lighting Council New Zealand
  • Member of several NZ and AS/NZS standards committees relating to Lighting and Electrical Safety
  • Head of delegation for NZ for ISO TC274 – Technical Lighting Committee

Place of Birth

Gisborne, New Zealand

Telephone - Mobile

021 760 344

Personal Information

Nationality: New Zealand Citizen British Citizen

Hobbies and Interests

Interested in most outdoor activities, motor sport, camping, and boating. Strong interest in classic cars and model aircraft. Have a busy family life with three grown up children.

Timeline

Country Manager

Thorn Lighting
01.2012 - Current

General Manager

Modus Lighting
01.2004 - 01.2012

Sales and Marketing Manager (Aus and NZ)

Philips Lighting
05.2001 - 04.2004

National Sales Manager/General Manager

Enlightenz
06.2000 - 05.2001

National Sales Manager

LORETTO DISTRIBUTORS LTD.
11.1995 - 06.2000

National Sales Manager

BLUE POINT PRODUCTS LTD.
08.1990 - 10.1995

Sales Engineer/ Auckland Area Manager

CUTHBERT STEWART LIMITED.
01.1986 - 01.1990

Arena Manager

INDOOR CRICKET ARENAS (NZ) LTD.
01.1985 - 01.1986

Sales Engineer

JAMES HARDIE ELECTRICAL.
01.1984 - 01.1985

Lighting Cadet/Lighting Engineer

NATIONAL ELECTRICAL & ENGINEERING CO.
01.1980 - 01.1984

Rosmini College

Auckland Technical Institute

Auckland Institute of Technology

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Chris Byrne