Job description

LEAD ZURU EDGE'S NEXT STAGE OF GROWTH IN CANADA ABOUT ZURU ZURU is a reimagination company. We look for categories that have stood still, then we build next-generation products and brands that set the new standard. ZURU Toys is reimagining play. ZURU Edge is reinventing everyday consumer brands. Rhodes Pet Science is reimagining pet science. ZURU Tech is leading the next building revolution. ZURU started in 2003 with two brothers from New Zealand, and we're still founder-owned and operated today. Since then we've become the world's second-biggest privately held toy company, and nearly half of all Gen Y and Gen Z households with kids in the US own a ZURU product. Today we're 5,000 people in 34 offices, selling into more than 150 markets, backed by over 100 acres of fully automated manufacturing. And we're only getting started. POSITION OVERVIEW We're looking for a Head of Sales to join our team in Toronto and lead the next stage of growth for our Canadian consumer goods business. Reporting to the SVP North America and leading a team of two, you'll set and deliver the country's commercial strategy, build long-term partnerships with our retail customers, and make sure ZURU's brands win in store and online across Canada. This is a new, full-time, office-based position in Toronto POSITION IMPACT You'll develop the commercial strategy for the Canadian market and use it to build strategic relationships across Canadian retail, delivering market share and profitability growth across our verticals. You'll lead the Canadian team to make sure ZURU captures, or over-indexes on, its share of shelf against competitors, working closely with commercial, marketing and supply teams to hit distribution goals and maximise performance at shelf. You'll also be comfortable delivering results as part of a cross-functional team spread across different time zones. ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES - Take full ownership of the country P&L. Drive sales, optimise trade investment and maximise product mix to achieve financial goals, unlocking margin to reinvest in innovation. - Develop and execute the country commercial strategy to take on established players, and influence cross-functional teams to secure the tools, products and support you need to win. - Own key account relationships and build long-term partnerships. Negotiate and deliver Joint Business Plans that meet both ZURU's goals and our customers'. - Create and execute the Canadian customer trade strategy, deciding account and 4P execution across all customers to maximise performance. - Lead the Canadian team to maximise availability, visibility and awareness of ZURU brands in store and online through best-in-class distribution, features, displays and marketing activation. - Collaborate with marketing on campaigns, product launches and promotions that build brand awareness and generate demand. - Champion the customer internally, using insights to shape ZURU's direction and keep customers and consumers at the heart of account decisions. - Keep improving commercial processes to lift performance and drive efficiency. - Be a captain of culture, keeping ZURU's entrepreneurial spirit alive as we grow, while always putting people first. SKILLS & EXPERIENCE - At least 4–5 years in senior sales or commercial leadership roles in the consumer goods industry, ideally in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment. - Experience working with major Canadian retailers. - Strong commercial and business acumen, with strategic thinking and problem-solving capability. - Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to tailor messages to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. - Strong leadership, including the ability to influence and motivate cross-functional teams and hold stakeholders accountable for delivering on business objectives. WHO THRIVES AT ZURU This isn't a 9-to-5. We move fast, think big and set goals most companies would call impossible, then go after them. The people who thrive here are entrepreneurs at heart. They own their work, chase bold ideas and never stop raising the bar. At ZURU, you drive your career, and we give you the platform to take it as far as you can. There are opportunities here that you won’t find anywhere else, and you'll be surrounded by talented people who make things happen. We're a true meritocracy: we reward impact, not tenure. HOW WE WORK Big ideas happen when great people work side by side, so we're office-first by design. Being together means faster collaboration, sharper decisions and stronger teams, and it's where the real learning happens. Some flexibility may be available depending on the role, location and business needs, but most roles are office-based. Want to see what life at ZURU really looks like? Follow LIFE@ZURU instagram.com on Instagram or www.zuru.com zuru.com ZURU – Reimagining tomorrow 🚀 ZURU may use AI tools to help screen, assess or select applicants.

Requirements

Must-haves

LEAD ZURU EDGE'S NEXT STAGE OF GROWTH IN CANADA
This is a new, full-time, office-based position in Toronto
Take full ownership of the country P&L. Drive sales, optimise trade investment and maximise product mix to achieve financial goals, unlocking margin to reinvest in innovation.
Develop and execute the country commercial strategy to take on established players, and influence cross-functional teams to secure the tools, products and support you need to win.
Own key account relationships and build long-term partnerships. Negotiate and deliver Joint Business Plans that meet both ZURU's goals and our customers'.
Create and execute the Canadian customer trade strategy, deciding account and 4P execution across all customers to maximise performance.
Lead the Canadian team to maximise availability, visibility and awareness of ZURU brands in store and online through best-in-class distribution, features, displays and marketing activation.
Collaborate with marketing on campaigns, product launches and promotions that build brand awareness and generate demand.
Champion the customer internally, using insights to shape ZURU's direction and keep customers and consumers at the heart of account decisions.
Keep improving commercial processes to lift performance and drive efficiency.
Be a captain of culture, keeping ZURU's entrepreneurial spirit alive as we grow, while always putting people first.
At least 4–5 years in senior sales or commercial leadership roles in the consumer goods industry, ideally in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment.
Experience working with major Canadian retailers.
Strong commercial and business acumen, with strategic thinking and problem-solving capability.
Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to tailor messages to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
Strong leadership, including the ability to influence and motivate cross-functional teams and hold stakeholders accountable for delivering on business objectives.
Want to see what life at ZURU really looks like? Follow LIFE@ZURU https://www.instagram.com/lifeatzuru/ on Instagram or www.zuru.com http://www.zuru.com
ZURU – Reimagining tomorrow 🚀
ZURU may use AI tools to help screen, assess or select applicants.

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