Matthew Wightman

• Led a high-performing retail region of 8–14 stores, with full accountability for P&L performance, people leadership, sales growth, and operational excellence.
• Delivered year-on-year increases in profitability through disciplined gross margin improvement, SG&A control, and strategic cost management across all sites.
• Recruited, coached, and empowered Store Managers to operate with autonomy and a founder’s mindset, building a top-performing culture recognised by industry-leading “Great Place to Work” scores.
• Embedded a hospitality-first service culture, sustaining a Net Promoter Score (NPS) above 90% across the region for the full tenure.
• Drove transformation in store presentation and visual merchandising, partnering with internal stakeholders to elevate brand standards and enhance the customer experience.
• Implemented robust inventory management processes, leveraging data-driven coaching to reduce days in stock, optimise inventory levels, and increase stock turn across all stores.
• Introduced operational frameworks and best practices that improved productivity, lowered wage-to-sales ratios, and boosted sales per labour hour.
• Acted as a strategic connector between head office and field operations, influencing key business decisions, driving cultural alignment, and ensuring executional excellence at scale.

Oversaw Spotlight’s flagship Bayswater store and a cluster of 3–5 sites (approx. $75M annual turnover). Responsible for all operational, financial, and people management outcomes while driving engagement, efficiency, and sales performance across the region.

Key Achievements:

• Awarded Store of the Year (FY21) for sales growth, GM improvement, and operational excellence.
• Delivered six consecutive quarters of comp sales growth, achieving record MAT results.
• Improved shrink performance two years running (FY20 & FY21).
• Created and rolled out Customer Service POD Training, improving service scores across Vic West.
• Delivered 100% YoY e-commerce home delivery growth during lockdown.
• Designed and led a Job Fair recruitment process, now adopted state-wide.

Led the launch and operations of Toymate’s first Melbourne superstores. Oversaw recruitment, merchandising, store build, and ongoing sales and operational success.

Key Achievements:

• Delivered store opening ahead of time and under budget.
• Achieved consistent monthly sales budgets and strong seasonal performance.
• Built and trained a 40-person team from scratch, minimising turnover.
• Developed the Outdoor and Bikes department, now a national model.
• Introduced home delivery in Melbourne, achieving rapid sell-through on large items.
• Maintained zero lost time injuries, embedding a strong safety-first culture.

Led five large-format stores (300 staff) with full P&L accountability. Drove customer experience, team capability, and sales growth in both established and new markets.

Key Achievements:

• Achieved sales growth across all stores (Q1 2018), including 12% increase in baby categories.
• Developed and promoted three Assistant Managers to Store Managers.
• Reduced shrink by 0.4%, achieving the 1% business target.
• Led rollout of Future Leaders Program to develop internal talent pipelines.
• Acted as State Manager on multiple occasions, managing 20+ stores.

Previous Roles with Toys “R” Us:

• Joint Store Manager / Store Opening Operations Manager (2015–2016)
• Store Manager – Knox City (2014–2015)
• Project Manager – Store Opening Fountain Gate (2013–2014)
• Store Manager – Frankston (2012–2013)
• Assistant Store Manager – Chadstone (2010–2012)
• Merchandise Manager – Chadstone (2010)
• Merchandise Manager – Knox City (2008–2010)