Commercial Director - Pet (relocation to Auckland, New Zealand)

Commercial Director - Pet (relocation to Auckland, New Zealand)

Full-Time On-site
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Drive the global success of ZURU's Pet vertical. 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!

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Position Overview

The Commercial Director leads the global commercial strategy for Rhodes Pet Science, ZURU's pet care business, and is accountable for its P&L, pricing architecture, trade terms and retail economics. The role sets commercial direction in partnership with Marketing, Product and Sales, leads engagement with key global retailers, and builds and leads the commercial team. It is the head of department role in the Commercial career path.

Position Impact

Success means delivering Rhodes Pet Science's growth and margin targets through disciplined P&L ownership, winning assortment, pricing and placement outcomes with key global retailers, and building a self-starting, autonomous commercial team.

The Commercial Director raises the vertical's commercial standard year on year, compounding improvement in evidence-based decision making, AI adoption and retail economics rather than holding the status quo.

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Commercial Acumen – Own the global Rhodes P&L in partnership with Finance, ensuring disciplined growth, strong margins and commercial resilience. Lead annual planning, multi-year commercial roadmaps and investment prioritisation, and set the marketing, NPD and commercial budgets. Own trade terms, pricing architecture, retail economics and promotional frameworks, and act as the ultimate point of sign-off on material P&L models and commercial proposals. Continuously identify margin improvement through mix, model, pricing, efficiency and channel strategy.

  • Insight to Action – Set the strategic commercial direction for Rhodes, with a full view of brand strategy, category role and consumer trends. Build and deploy global market entry, expansion and channel strategies grounded in commercial return and operational feasibility. Design and scale the models that drive distribution, penetration, velocity and category share. Continuously evaluate priorities and risks, and look around corners to maximise commercial return for Rhodes and the wider business.

  • Influence, Credibility and People Leadership – Lead strategic engagement with key global retailers, influencing assortment, pricing, placement and category strategy, including exclusivity and JBP conversations, and represent ZURU at top-to-top level. Work with Sales teams to set the commercial strategy for their markets and hold those teams accountable for delivering growth. Partner with Marketing, NPD, Supply Chain and Sales to align product, market and commercial priorities, and represent commercial strategy at senior leadership forums. Create the structures and rhythms that enable operational excellence, recruit and develop exceptional talent, and build self-starting, autonomous teams.

  • Data and AI, and Compounding Improvement – Set the standard for commercial data integrity and evidence-based decision making across the vertical. Hold the broader business to

Commercial Director - Pet (relocation to Auckland, New Zealand) employer: ZURU

ZURU is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture in the vibrant city of Auckland. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we offer opportunities for professional development and the chance to lead transformative projects in finance, all while enjoying the benefits of a collaborative environment and a commitment to work-life balance.

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Contact Details:

ZURU Recruitment Team