MIKE BUCKMAN
Cambridge,New Zealand
Summary
Results-driven relationship leader with 15 years of experience in multi-site business ownership and operations. Expertise in financial performance, risk management, and sustainability, complemented by a background in enterprise-scale corporate environments emphasizing pricing strategy and contract management. Committed to leveraging commercial acumen and relationship-building skills to foster long-term partnerships within larger organizations.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Director
Gordon Road Wines Ltd & Workshop Consulting Ltd
01.2010 - Current
- Founder and director of multi-site hospitality and consulting businesses with full accountability for growth strategy, people leadership, and financial performance.
- Held full P&L ownership including revenue growth, budgeting, forecasting, pricing, and wage control.
- Implemented sales, service, and operational systems to improve consistency, productivity, and profitability.
- Directed Gordon Road Wines Ltd, overseeing operations of Robert Harris Café Matamata for 15 years, ensuring consistent service and customer satisfaction.
- At peak, led three café operations employing over 70 staff across multiple locations.
- Founder of Workshop Consulting, providing commercial and operational leadership support to hospitality enterprises.
- Supported multi-site operations for Blueberry Country and Trinity Lands Group.
- Built and scaled teams, including managers and supervisors, with strong performance discipline and accountability.
- Led businesses through the GFC and COVID, maintaining team stability, customer trust, and long-term viability.
National Sales Manager
British American Tobacco New Zealand Ltd
01.2008 - 12.2012
- Led a large, multi-layered national sales team responsible for delivering growth, customer outcomes, and market leadership across all channels.
- Led the national sales organisation with accountability for strategy, execution, and performance across all New Zealand regions in a highly regulated, competitive FMCG environment.
- Supported sustained commercial performance, achieving peak national market share of 78.8%.
- Successfully executed the transition of approximately $1.6B in annual FMCG sales within 11 months.
- Maintained customer confidence, continuity of supply, and sales momentum during one of the largest FMCG change programmes undertaken in New Zealand.
- Set regional sales strategy, targets, performance cadence, and reporting frameworks to drive consistent execution.
- Partnered closely with marketing, finance, supply chain, and corporate affairs to align go-to-market execution.
- Member of the national leadership team delivering the transition of BAT NZ product distribution from Foodstuffs New Zealand to a third-party logistics provider.
Education
Bachelor of Education -
Massey University
Palmerston North, NZPalmerston North, NZ
Skills
- Sales leadership
- Growth strategy
- Sales operations
- Forecasting
- Market execution
- P&L oversight
- Operations leadership
- Team scaling
- Change management
- Team building
- Coaching
- Collaboration
- Problem solving
- Visionary management
- Communication skills
Earlier Career
Sales and commercial leadership roles within FMCG prior to appointment as National Sales Manager.
Personal Information
Title: Head of Sales | Commercial & Growth Leader
References
Available on request
Governance And Commercial Maturity
Experienced company director with strong commercial judgement developed through long-term ownership and executive accountability. Brings a practical approach to governance, with strengths in financial oversight, people leadership, risk management, and execution discipline.
Core Leadership Capabilities
- Sales leadership & regional growth strategy
- Scaling and leading high-performance teams
- KPI setting, forecasting & performance cadence
- Sales operations & pipeline discipline
- Coaching leaders and frontline sales talent
- Go-to-market execution & territory structure
- Cross-functional collaboration (product, marketing, ops)
- Change leadership in fast-moving environments
Timeline
Director
Gordon Road Wines Ltd & Workshop Consulting Ltd
01.2010 - Current
National Sales Manager
British American Tobacco New Zealand Ltd
01.2008 - 12.2012
Bachelor of Education -
Massey University