We are seeking an experienced Country Manager to lead and grow our business in France, driving commercial performance, strengthening key partnerships, and building a high-performing team.
About ZURU 🚀
📍 ZURU is on a mission to disrupt industries, challenge the status quo, and catalyze change through radical innovation and advances in automation. 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; and 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 5,000 direct and indirect members across more than 30 international locations.
One of the largest toy companies in the world, our globally recognized and award-winning brands include Bunch O Balloons, Mini Brands, XSHOT, Rainbocorns, and Smashers. Our global FMCG brands include MONDAY Haircare, Millie Moon, RASCALS, BONKERS Pet Treats, DAISE Beauty, and GUMI YUM Surprise and more!
📊 Role Purpose:
Lead ZURU's French business with responsibility for sales, commercial planning and full P&L delivery.
Deepen retailer and buying-group partnerships across the French market, building strong joint business plans with national accounts, hypermarket groups and the major buying cooperatives.
Drive the FOB-first supply model, embedding ZURU's preferred supply strategy and securing the transition of the customer base towards direct import where appropriate.
Expand market presence by unlocking new listings, channels and opportunities for our growing portfolio.
Translate global brand plans into local wins, ensuring execution is best-in-class both online and in-store.
Act as ZURU's senior representative in-market, embedded with your team and close to retail partners.
📌 Key Responsibilities:
Full ownership of the French P&L and commercial strategy.
Retailer and buying-group engagement: lead top-to-top meetings, negotiate annual terms, and manage joint business planning across national accounts and the major cooperatives.
Supply model transition: drive the FOB-first strategy across the account base, managing the operational and commercial implications at central and store level.
Category development: leverage data and insights to drive merchandising, shelf presence and online excellence.
Team leadership: recruit, coach and inspire local team members to deliver ambitious growth goals.
Cross-functional collaboration: partner with ZURU's European leadership, China merchandising, supply chain and marketing teams.
Market expansion: identify and open new retail, e-commerce and distribution opportunities across France.
💡 Skills & Experience Required:
10+ years' experience in sales or commercial leadership, ideally within toys, FMCG or consumer goods.
Proven track record of delivering P&L growth and scaling businesses in competitive retail markets.
Strong network and credibility with major French retailers and buying groups.
Experience of direct-import or FOB supply models, and the commercial change management they require, is a strong advantage.
Exceptional negotiation, commercial acumen and financial literacy.
Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage stakeholders and drive alignment across markets.
Fluent in French and English.
Paris-based preferred, with flexibility considered for the right candidate.
How You’ll Make an Impact?
Deliver strong revenue and profit growth across France.
Grow market share through strategic retailer partnerships.
Lead the transition to the FOB-first model while protecting volume and margins.
Drive commercial excellence across forecasting, pricing, promotions, and profitability.
Execute high-impact brand launches and marketing initiatives.
Represent France at key European and global events.
Build and lead a high-performing, customer-focused team.
LIFE@ZURU
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.
We recognise that ZURU’s success stems from our people and you can only be at your best when you are looking after yourself. ZURU encourages all our team members to invest in their wellbeing by providing an array of benefits and tools.
🌱 Culture for Growth – a high-performance environment with opportunities to stretch and succeed
🌎 Global Opportunities – work with colleagues and partners across Europe, Asia and the US
💡 A-Player Team – collaborate with some of the best talent in the industry
⚡ ZURU – Tomorrow Reimagined
🚀ZURU.com
#LI-MP1
Skills Required
- 10+ years experience in sales or commercial leadership (ideally in toys, FMCG, or consumer goods).
- Proven track record of delivering P&L growth and scaling businesses in competitive retail markets.
- Strong network and credibility with major French retailers and buying groups.
- Experience with direct-import or FOB supply models and commercial change management.
- Exceptional negotiation skills, commercial acumen and financial literacy.
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage stakeholders and drive cross-market alignment.
- Fluent in French and English.
- Paris-based preferred (flexibility considered).
What We Do
ZURU is a disruptive and award-winning company that designs, manufactures and markets innovative toys and consumer products. Inspired by kids and imaginative play, ZURU is one of the fastest growing toy companies in the world and is known for their agility, creativity and new-age manufacturing techniques. The company that started in New Zealand now employs more than 5,000 staff across 18 offices, produces 600,000 toys a day and distributes to most major retailers in over 120 countries. ZURU has delighted millions of families all over the world with brands such as Bunch O Balloons™, X-Shot™, Rainbocorns™, Robo Alive™, Smashers™, 5 Surprise™ and Metal Machines™ as well as through partnerships with entertainment properties, including Nickelodeon, Disney, Universal Studios and DreamWorks. With a strong commitment to the community, ZURU supports Captivating International, local China orphanages and also student development programs in Asia and in New Zealand. ZURU will continue to pave new ways for kids to play and focuses on reimagining what this looks like every day.
