Commercial Director

**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, Rascal + Friends, NOOD, BONKERS and Gumi Yum Surprise

**Role Purpose**:

- Drive ZURU financial performance across all aspects of the Pet vertical P+L.
- Lead the commercial planning and modelling processes to support decision making and improve business for the vertical.
- Challenge sales teams on trade strategy and 4P execution globally to maximize performance and cross pollinates winning strategies.
- Analyse and monitor business performance and market trends to identify opportunities for improvement and maximize profitability.
- Cross functionally collaborate with all core teams bringing a commercial lens to business process.
- Be a captain of culture for ZURU: ensure as ZURU rapidly grows we maintain the magic, entrepreneurial culture that enables us to challenge the status quo and win together - whilst always ensuring we put people first

**How You Will Make An Impact**:

- Develop the commercial strategy for the Pet Vertical, ensuring delivery of market share & profitability growth. You will be driving the planning, tracking, and reviewing results and holding functional teams to account on commercial outcomes. You deliver in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment, while working as part of a cross-functional team across different time zones.

**Core Roles And Responsibilities**:

- Build the go to market strategy and hold sales teams to account on delivery against strategy, ensuring long term growth of profit and revenue within the Pet Vertical.
- Manage distribution priorities with the business development team and vet business case proposals to support global expansion.
- Analyse and interpret market research to discuss the opportunity for innovative new product development ideas in Pet categories to maximise growth.
- Review all products in the NPD gating process and ensure commercial strategy is upheld through each stage.
- Constantly seek optimisation of the Pet vertical P&L.
- Alongside in market sales teams prepare line reviews/JBPs for customers, including sales data analysis, trade/brand marketing strategies and category strategies.
- Alongside in market sales teams, negotiate with customers on pricing and trading terms.
- Keep customers and regional sales teams updated with business strategy, trade/brand marketing plans and other brand material when available
- Establish business objectives by forecasting and developing an annual P&L forecast for each regions/territories; projecting expected sales volumes and profit for existing and new products.
- Manage marketing, commercial and supply chain budgets in conjunction with functional leads.
- Establish and monitor selling prices by benchmarking competition and tracking results.
- Collaborate with Demand and Supply planning teams on the monthly demand planning review, participate in sign off on the demand and supply plan.
- Collaborate and challenge supply chain teams on all logistics parameters working together to drive optimisation of costs.
- Collaborate closely with all functions of the business including Merchandising, Planning, Marketing, Supply Chain, NPD, and Finance.

**Skills & Experiences Required**:

- Proven track record of at least 4-5+ years in commercial/financial management roles within the consumer goods industry, preferably with experience in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment.
- Strong commercial & business acumen, strategic thinking, and problem-solving capability.
- Strong communication & influencing skills, with the ability to translate messages across a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
- Must have strong leadership capability Including the ability to influence and motivate cross-functional teams, while holding stakeholders accountable to deliver on business objectives.
- Bachelor’s degree
- Please note: this is a full-time position based In Auckland
- Please note: NZ work permit required

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 ZU