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Executive & Senior Management

After Sales Managers, Dealer Principals, General Managers, Service Directors, Regional Managers, CEO’s CFO’s

Wage and Salary rates as of March, 3, 2021 

Please note: Automotive Employment NZ Ltd has attempted to be as accurate as possible and to provide guidelines for the most popular sectors of the New Zealand motor industry but take no responsibility for the accuracy of the information. Any hiring decision should be based on a range of knowledge from a variety of sources.

​Employees should note that while these rates may provide a guide, to gain an accurate indication of rates you may need to consider how your skills and experience compare to others in the workplace. Your work performance, the stability of overall employment, knowledge of the product, development of your skills and or qualifications, personal grooming, communication skills and the length of service you have extended to your current employer may all impact on potential earnings. These aspects of your employment should also be weighed against the economic conditions prevailing in the location you work or intend to move to.

Offshore candidates should note rates and salaries are quoted in New Zealand dollars. Please also check the date above as information provided is current only to this date.


After Sales Manager

Smaller franchise site with 15 or less staff where manager holds both Parts and Service Managers role.  $100,000 to $140,000

Larger operations where After Sales Manager has a Parts and Service Manager reporting to them $130’000 to $225’000

Commonly there is a base salary and a portion of at risk income.  A company car is standard

Service Director

Assuming multi-branch reports Service Directors roles range from $150’000 to $250’000.  These roles surface in larger groups with a portion of income at risk.  A higher standard company car is provided. 

Chief Financial Officer: [CFO]

$150’000 to $450’000 A huge variance exists dependent on the size of the operation. Multi-site financial responsibility with significant strategic planning involvement for an example will obviously attract rates higher than a stand-alone site. Vacancies at the higher end are extremely rare and likely only ever available in the NZ motor industries largest corporate companies.


Dealer Principal – Franchise Dealerships


Employees or Job seekers in this field need to consider roles can differ significantly when it comes to the responsibilities held. So too can remuneration. Your experience, proven record of achievement and responsibilities may all combine to provide an income both greater and less than indicated below.

15 to 20 staff, franchise site. The $150’000 to $225,000 package will have an element of at risk content, $85000 to $120’000 base with the remainder at risk.  The role includes a company vehicle.  Such roles are perhaps more correctly referred to as Branch Managers.

20 to 30 Staff. $160’000 to $275,000. Base increases to around $120’000 to $130’000 but will still require some at-risk content.

30 to 50 staff: Income circa $170’000 to $350’000 Base will around 140’000 and achievement of total income estimation will be dependent on achieving predetermined KPI’s.

50 to 70 staff. Income circa $250’000 to $380’000 Base increases to approximately $150’000 to $170’000; achievement of total income estimation will be dependent on achieving predetermined KPI’s.

70 to 90 staff. Income circa $270’000 to $400,000 Base likely to be between $160’000 to $200,000. Achievement of total income estimation will be dependent on achieving predetermined KPI’s.

90 to 250 staff $300’000 to $550’000. Base likely to increase to $180’000 to $250’000. An individual assessment of each role is required as location and the style of operation will contribute to the overall findings, contact Russell Phillips.

Higher Executive Roles – Phone Russell Phillips +64274790000 for an assessment based on comparative statistics.

Higher executive roles use Trans Tasman guidelines established by a network of Australasian executive automotive recruiters.  Russell Phillips is a NZ member of this network and can establish reliable guidelines.     

General Management and Regional Management in other sectors of the motor industry


Variances in responsibility exist between aftermarket and OEM operations 

​It is impossible to provide one broad brush covering rates in this area which will be open to debate. Instead, employers seeking guidance in this area as to how to scope appropriate rates should discuss requirements and likely available talent with consultancy director Russell Phillips. Once we have completed an assessment of responsibilities we will be able to provide our opinion of the remuneration scale.