Brand Innovation Executive - Beauty

About the Role

ZURU Edge is dedicated to revolutionizing the major beauty market segments rapidly, leveraging world-class manufacturing capabilities in China and a founder-driven vision from Auckland. With disruptive market entry strategies across the US and EU, the company develops brands that secure prominent retail shelf space at Ulta, Sephora, Target, Walmart, Amazon, and beyond.

The Brand Innovation Executive will serve as both the early detector and engine behind the company's pipeline, focusing primarily on men's grooming and skincare categories. This role requires a keen sense for emerging trends before they become mainstream, identifying industry gaps overlooked by large competitors, and transforming these insights into actionable briefs that can be realized and launched within months. Collaboration extends across innovation leadership, creative teams in Auckland, operations in China, and sales partners worldwide. The primary market focus is the dynamic US beauty sector, with growing activities in the European Union.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop expertise in assigned categories and consumer behaviors, understanding preferences, pricing, and social media presence.
• Daily monitoring of content platforms such as TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram, Reddit, alongside trend analysis tools like WGSN, followed by weekly trend reports.
• Leverage insights from Korean and Chinese innovation through coordination with the China operations team, adapting winning concepts for ZURU’s brand strategy.
• Analyze data from Nielsen, Circana, Amazon best-sellers, and other sources to evaluate market opportunities and identify gaps.
• Conduct both physical and digital research of competitors’ launches at Ulta, Sephora, Target, Walmart, and Amazon.
• Engage with creators and consumers by reviewing feedback, conducting surveys for timely insights.
• Identify unmet market needs and craft distinct product proposals including positioning, target audience, hero products, product line structures, claims, and pricing strategies.
• Create compelling briefs to inspire creative, formulation, and packaging teams, leading to brand development.
• Utilize AI tools regularly for trend synthesis, idea generation, claim refinement, visual mood-boarding, and mockups, advancing innovation methods within ZURU.
• Collaborate with commercial teams to build solid business cases, ensuring competitive pricing, margin goals, and retail fit before launching products.
• Oversee the entire innovation pipeline including claim development, sampling phases, testing, scheduling, and cost management.
• Manage benchmark purchases, sample logistics, and competitor product teardowns to support R&D and creative teams.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams in Auckland, China, and US/EU markets to ensure project alignment and progress.
• Present and defend innovation projects to leadership, adjust propositions based on feedback, and close post-launch loops by monitoring sales and consumer responses to inform future cycles.

Qualifications and Skills

• 3 to 5 years of experience in beauty, FMCG, CPG, retail, consulting, or related innovation and marketing capacities.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, engineering, or an equivalent field.
• Passionate knowledge of beauty products, including fragrances, active ingredients, packaging formats, key brands, and independent disruptors.
• Exceptional trend-spotting ability, especially on platforms like TikTok.
• Strong commercial understanding, including profit and loss comprehension and advanced spreadsheet skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication skills for writing briefs, delivering presentations, and engaging with buyers.
• Proficiency with AI applications such as Claude, ChatGPT, and image generation tools integrated into daily workflows.
• A proactive, curious, and ambitious mindset focused on building and executing quickly rather than seeking perfection.

Company Culture and Benefits

ZURU stands as one of the fastest-growing global consumer enterprises, emphasizing founder leadership, rapid product shipment, and innovation speed unmatched in the industry. With offices in Auckland and teams working in China, the US, and Europe, employees collaborate with driven peers to make meaningful impacts in competitive markets.

• Supportive environment focused on personal and professional growth.
• Health and wellness programs to promote employee wellbeing.
• Opportunities for global career advancement.
• Work alongside highly skilled, motivated colleagues.
• Competitive salary packages.
• Access to fresh fruit, coffee, and a well-stocked refreshment area.