Country Manager - Toys

ZURU

Auckland

On-site

NZD 180,000 - 240,000

Full time

2 days ago

Be an early applicant

Application generator

Stand out for this role — generate a tailored resume and cover letter in about a minute.

Get past ATS filters

Benefits offered by this job

Culture for Growth

Health Benefits

Global Opportunities

A Player Team

Competitive Remuneration

Fruit & Coffee

Job summary

ZURU NZ is seeking a Country Manager to own the New Zealand P&L and drive strategies that scale globally. You will build and lead relationships with retailers, distributors and licensors, coordinating with China and NZ teams to ensure on-time execution and growth.

You will also lead ZURU Toys’ Fast Start program in New Zealand, testing opportunities that inform product and market expansion globally. This role demands strategic vision, strong negotiation skills, and a data-driven mindset.

Qualifications

Proven experience in a senior sales, key account or country management role within toys, FMCG or consumer products.
Demonstrated P&L ownership, including local pricing, forecasting and annual planning.
Strong negotiation and presentation skills, with a track record of building trusted relationships with major retailers, distributors and licensors.
Highly analytical, adept at using sell-through and retail data to inform strategies and recommendations.
Self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment across time zones and cultures.

Responsibilities

Develop strategies and tactics to take ZURU to the next level in the New Zealand market.
Lead the ZURU Toys Fast Start program, unique to New Zealand, to scale and identify opportunities globally.
Strengthen the sales network and channels in market in line with broader business strategies.
Own full P&L for the market, including local pricing.
Establish and lead relationships with retail, distributor and licensor partners.
Lead sales presentations to customers, including product demonstrations, data analysis and category strategies.
Lead negotiations with customers on terms, pricing, volumes and activations.
Build promotional strategies and measure their effectiveness, reporting learnings to the business.
Collaborate with Marketing and other ZURU teams to implement campaigns.
Set sales and P&L objectives through monthly narratives, quarterly forecasting and yearly planning.
Provide forecasts, performance insights and action learnings to inform planning.
Work with Sales Analysts in China to review retail performance and advise customers.
Coordinate with China teams on PO submissions and delivery.

Skills

Senior sales experience

Country management

P&L ownership

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Cross-cultural collaboration

Job description

Own the New Zealand P&L and test strategies that scale globally.

About ZURU

ZURU is on a mission to disrupt across industries, challenge the status quo and catalyst change through radical innovation and automation advances. This is in play in different pillars of the company: ZURU Toys are re-imagining what it means to play; ZURU Tech is shaping a better future by leading the next building revolution; ZURU Edge is pioneering new generation FMCG brands to better serve modern consumers.

Founded in 2003 by EY Entrepreneur of the Year and World Entrepreneur Hall of Fame brothers Nick and Mat Mowbray, ZURU has quickly grown to a team of over 5000 direct and indirect members across more than 30 international locations.

One of the largest toy companies in the world, globally recognised and award-winning brands include Bunch O Balloons, Mini Brands, XSHOT, Rainbocorns and Smashers. Our global FMCG brands include MONDAY Haircare, Rascals, NOOD, BONKERS, Gumi Yum Surprise, and more!

For more information, visit www.zuru.com.

Position Overview

As Country Manager – New Zealand, you will lead ZURU Toys' commercial performance in market, owning the full P&L and developing the strategies and tactics that take ZURU to the next level in New Zealand. You will build and lead relationships with retail, distributor and licensor partners, lead customer presentations and negotiations, and work closely with ZURU teams in China and New Zealand to ensure on-time, in-full execution. You will also lead ZURU Toys' Fast Start program – unique to New Zealand – which enables the business to scale and identify opportunities globally.

Position Impact

Drives growth in New Zealand through a clear market strategy, a stronger sales network and channel mix aligned to ZURU's broader business strategy, and full accountability for the market P&L and local pricing. Acts as a proving ground for the wider business – the New Zealand Fast Start program tests and scales initiatives that shape ZURU's opportunities globally. Provides Leadership with accurate forecasts, performance insights and win / learn / change learnings that inform planning, promotional investment and decision-making.

Roles & Responsibilities

Develop strategies and tactics to take ZURU to the next level in the New Zealand market
Lead the ZURU Toys Fast Start program, which is unique to New Zealand and enables us to scale and determine opportunities globally
Strengthen the sales network and channels in market, in line with the broader business strategies and expectations
Full P&L responsibility for the market, including pricing at the local market level
Establish and lead relationships with retail, distributor and licensor partners in the market – building trust and credibility
Lead sales presentations to customers, including product demonstrations, data analysis, and category / brand strategies
Lead negotiations with customers on terms, pricing, volumes and activations
Build promotional strategies and measure their effectiveness, reporting back to the business on win, learn, change
Lead and co-ordinate with Marketing and other partners within ZURU to implement marketing initiatives and campaigns
Establish sales and P&L objectives through monthly narratives, quarterly forecasting and yearly planning
Provide Leadership with accurate forecasts, updates and insights into performance and any factors influencing sales or demand profiles
Work weekly with our Sales Analysts in China to review retail sales performance and lead recommendations to customers / partners
Work with our Merchandising and Co-ordination teams in China on purchase order submission and delivery
Work directly with team members in China and New Zealand to secure shipment dates and plans, ensuring on-time, in-full execution in market
Collaborate with the Global Commercial, Brand and Marketing teams based in the New Zealand office

Skills & Experience

Proven experience in a senior sales, key account or country management role within toys, FMCG or consumer products
Demonstrated P&L ownership, including local pricing, forecasting and annual planning
Strong negotiation and presentation skills, with a track record of building trusted relationships with major retailers, distributors and licensors
Highly analytical – confidence using sell-through and retail data to build category / brand strategies and customer recommendations
Self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and collaborates effectively across time zones and cultures

LIFE@ZURU

ZURU is on a quest to reimagine tomorrow. Founded in 2003, ZURU Group has rapidly grown and now spans three core divisions—ZURU Toys, ZURU Edge (consumer goods) and ZURU Tech (construction).

At ZURU, we have cultivated a high-performing culture that encourages excellence. Our team works towards ambitious goals, learning, performing, and improving together, all while having fun. We empower talented individuals to do their best work every day.

At ZURU, you get out what you put in. You are responsible for driving your own career and we provide the platform to achieve it. As ZURU is on such a fast growth trajectory, there are opportunities here that you won’t find anywhere else.

Get to know us a little better by checking out @lifeatzuru on Instagram or www.zuru.com.

WHAT WE OFFER