ZURU Edge | Designer - NPD
Zuru · Auckland
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.
About the role
The Senior Designer - NPD leads brand identity and packaging design within ZURU Edge's New Product Development team. The role builds new consumer brands from the ground up and refreshes brands in the existing portfolio, across confectionery, toys, pet care and other consumer categories sold to a global audience. Working with marketing, R&D and production, the Senior Designer takes projects from first concept through to production-ready artwork.
Position Impact
In the first 3-6 months, the Senior Designer delivers brand identity and packaging work on live NPD projects, from concept and mockups through to production-ready files, on schedule and to the team's quality standard. Over 12+ months, they lead the creation of new brand identities and guidelines across multiple projects, strengthen the design-to-production workflow, and support the development of the junior designers and freelancers they work with.
Responsibilities
Leads the creation and evolution of brand identities in line with the company's vision and target audience
Works with marketing, product development and leadership to define brand guidelines, tone of voice and visual language, and applies them consistently across packaging, digital, print and retail
Develops packaging concepts for new and existing products, informed by research on materials, packaging solutions and consumer behaviour
Ensures packaging designs are practical, functional and compliant with industry regulations, including safety and environmental standards
Creates mockups and prototypes to visualise packaging concepts
Presents design concepts and strategies to internal stakeholders for review and approval
Oversees the design lifecycle from concept to execution and coordinates with production teams for a smooth transition from design to manufacturing, ensuring quality standards are met
Manages multiple projects in parallel, including timelines and external vendors or agencies, so that deadlines and project goals are met
Mentors and gives feedback to junior designers and freelancers, contributes to brainstorming sessions, and works with marketing, R&D and production to keep brand consistency and product feasibility aligned
Tracks industry trends, design innovation and consumer insights, runs competitive analysis, and identifies opportunities to improve brand experiences through packaging and design
Carries out other agreed tasks as needed, and anything else ZURU may lawfully and reasonably require of you
Skills & Experience
8+ years of experience in brand identity and packaging design, preferably in consumer goods or retail
Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and Figma
Strong understanding of print production, packaging materials and design-to-production workflows
A portfolio of brand identity and packaging work executed to a high creative and technical standard
Experience translating brand strategy into design across multiple touchpoints (packaging, digital, print and retail)
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 @LifeatZURU on Instagram or visit www.zuru.com.
ZURU – Reimagining tomorrow 🚀
ZURU may use AI tools to help screen, assess or select applicants.