Metcash

Head of Tools

Metcash  •  Port Melbourne, AU (Onsite)  •  2 hours ago
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Job Description

About the Opportunity

As the Head of Tools for Total Tools you will shape and execute the merchandise strategy for one of the most important group of categories in the Total Tools business. This senior leadership role is central to delivering our corporate objectives through strategic planning, deep supplier partnerships, team leadership, and data-driven commercial decision-making.

You will lead a merchandise team of experienced Category Managers, to build best-in-market ranges, negotiate high-impact supplier agreements, and ensure Total Tools maintains its competitive edge as Australia’s #1 professional tools retailer.

What you will be doing

  • Lead and execute the Tools merchandise strategy, alongside the broader merchandise strategy.
  • Develop deep relationships with franchisees and operations teams.
  • Drive category growth through pricing, ranging, and supplier strategies.
  • Guide range reviews, private label growth, and promotional initiatives.
  • Build our Product Marketing plans talking to the trade customer.
  • Build and maintain strong supplier partnerships and negotiate agreements.
  • Improve inventory performance, DIFOT, and merchandise efficiency.
  • Set sales, margin, and inventory targets and monitor results.
  • Lead, coach, and develop the merchandise team, fostering high performance.
  • Ensure compliance, safety, and adherence to company policies.

You’re likely a match if you are/have

You’re a strategic and commercially savvy merchandise leader with proven experience driving category growth in a national retail environment. You excel at supplier negotiations, range planning, and promotional strategy. A strong people leader, you inspire high-performing teams, foster collaboration, and deliver results while maintaining operational excellence and compliance. You have an ability to work strategically, whilst driving short term performance, focused on delivering best outcomes for both stores and end-users. Industry knowledge in commercial trade tools, hardware, or related categories is highly desirable.

What’s on offer

We’re proud to offer a workplace that supports your well-being, growth, and belonging:

🏖️ Extra Leave: Enjoy a 5th week of annual leave, 2 well-being days, plus 1 volunteer day annually

📚 Career Growth: Endless learning and development opportunities

👶 Parental Leave: 12 weeks of gender-neutral paid leave for primary carers

🌈 Inclusive Culture: Bronze Employer for LGBTQ Inclusion

⚖️ Neutral Pay Gap: Gender pay gap under 5% (WGEA 2024–2025)

🧠 Mental Health: Gold accreditation by Mental Health Australia

🏡 Flexibility: Flex Ready and Family Friendly Workplace accredited

Joining the Total Tools Family  

At Total Tools & Hardware Group, we’re more than just a group of hardware and tool retailers — we’re a national network helping build stronger communities. Backed by trusted brands like Mitre 10, Total Tools, and Home Timber & Hardware, TTHG supports independently owned, joint venture, and company-owned stores across Australia. With a strong focus on local ownership and expert advice, we give tradies, builders, and DIYers the edge they need to tackle any job — big or small. Whether it’s trade-quality tools from Total Tools or reliable hardware from Mitre 10 and HTH, TTHG is the powerhouse behind the stores that keep Australia building.

#INHT

#LI-AP1

Metcash

About Metcash

At Metcash, we’re the power behind an independent Australia & New Zealand. From the humble origins of our first family-owned corner store in 1927, we’ve been backing independents and strengthening the communities they operate in for almost 100 years. With a national network of more than 10,000 independent retailers and a further 90,000 wholesalers, we’re the driving force behind local, family-owned businesses – sticking up for the little guys and helping them become the best stores in town. And while we may be large in size, we’ll always be locals at heart.

Today we’re Australia and New Zealand’s leading independent retail partner and wholesaler in food, liquor and hardware. We have over 80 years of experience supporting and championing the interests of independent grocery, liquor and hardware sectors. Headquartered in Sydney, our world class distribution facilities across the country allow us to operate on a huge scale to unite Australia's independent grocers, delivering products to more than 10,000 retail premises and a further 90,000 wholesale customers across the food, grocery, liquor and hardware markets. Our network of Successful Independents includes a large portfolio of brands such as IGA, Foodland, Mitre 10, Home Timber & Hardware, Cellarbrations and the Bottle-O.

At Metcash we have a single purpose - Successful Independents - it is at the heart of everything we do. Success starts with our people. Employing over 6,000 people, Metcash champions the interests of the independent retail industry. We are a team of people who are resilient and empowered, who take initiative and pride in their work and above all operate with integrity. Our core operations are key to providing our customers and retailers with merchandising, operations and marketing support through our strong retail brands.

Whilst we operate on a huge scale, we think big but we act local. We believe that independence is worth fighting for and this is at the core of our business divisions.

Industry
Wholesale & Distribution
Company Size
1,001-5,000 employees
Headquarters
Macquarie Park, AU
Year Founded
1927
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