ZURU

Manufacturing

DataPlatformLead

$155–210k ~AI est. Auckland, New Zealand FULL TIME
Market Sentiment
HIGH DEMAND

Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Lead candidates.

The Brief

“Data Platform Lead at ZURU. Skills: Data platform, Data products, ML/AI, Business intelligence. Lead data teams toward business outcomes. Manage platform team”

What You'll Achieve.

Deliver measurable business outcomes; Ship weekly value; Reduce time-to-insight; Connect work to outcomes; Ensure 99.5%+ uptime; Enable 80% self-service

Industry & Context.

Manufacturing
Problems you'll solve

Data-driven decision making

What They're Looking For.

Must Have

5+ years leading data teams, SQL proficiency, Python proficiency, Data modelling proficiency, Pipeline proficiency, Cloud proficiency

Nice to Have

Databricks migration experience, AWS SSO experience, Fivetran connectors experience, GCP Professional Data Engineer, AWS Data Analytics, Databricks Certified, Dbt Certified

What You'll Do.

Lead data teams toward business outcomes

Drive data products team

Enable teams to self-serve

Assume platform ownership

Understand products roadmap

Identify top business blockers

Establish weekly ship report cadence

Manage platform team priorities

Build relationships with stakeholders

Ship measurable weekly value

Complete dev/prod separation

Stabilize Databricks migration

Operate federated model

Domain teams self-serve

Recognize BU stakeholders

Ensure platform infrastructure stable

Own Databricks/AWS/Fivetran

Mentor platform team members

Kill low-impact initiatives

Double down on what works

Build composable data stack

Support data and AI ambitions

Stay hands-on with architecture

Guide code and design reviews

Provide technical mentorship

Ensure platform enables self-service

Prevent platform bottleneck

Provide shared capabilities

Own integration layers

Own operational definitions

Own domain understanding

Enable 80% self-service

Default to MVP delivery

Validate with one business unit

Stop initiatives without impact

Operate with bias for action

Prioritize speed and learning

Focus on business outcomes

Avoid measuring activity

Track decision quality improvements

Track forecasting accuracy

Track user satisfaction

Retire data products without impact

Build composable systems

Design modular systems

Design adaptable systems

Avoid unnecessary complexity

Continuously simplify stack

Continuously rationalize stack

Build foundations that evolve

Enable self-service without bureaucracy

Prioritize documentation

Prioritize paved roads

Reduce support tickets

Aim for 95% data access

How You'll Work.

Team & Collaboration

Business unit teams; Domain teams; Key stakeholders

Process & Methodology

MVP delivery, Roadmap planning

Full Job Description

Unify the data. Unlock the intelligence. Shape ZURU's future! 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! For more information, visit www.zuru.com http://www.zuru.com. POSITION OVERVIEW Lead ZURU's data platform and products teams to deliver measurable business outcomes across Toys, Tech, and Edge divisions. You'll directly manage the Platform team (Databricks, AWS, Fivetran, orchestration) while driving the Data Products team to ship weekly value to the ZURU. You ship in weeks not months, measure impact not dashboards, enable teams to self-serve, and kill what doesn't work. POSITION IMPACT - First 2 weeks: Assume platform ownership (Databricks migration in-progress, AWS SSO, Fivetran connectors). Understand products roadmap (dashboards, pipelines, stakeholder needs). Identify top 3 business blockers. - First month: Ship 1-2 quick wins. Establish weekly ship report cadence with teams. Directly manage Platform team's immediate priorities. Build relationships with key stakeholders across the business. - First quarter: Data Products team shipping measurable weekly value (time saved, decisions improved, not

Free ATS check

Applying for this Data Platform Lead role?

Most applicants get filtered before a human reads their resume. See if yours makes the cut.

How to Apply on Ashby

  • Ashby is a fast modern ATS — most applications take under 3 minutes.
  • The resume parser is strong; verify parsed experience dates and job titles.
  • Custom screening questions are often scored algorithmically — answer completely.
  • Location field affects geo-based screening; use your actual metro area.

ANONYMOUS · UNFILTERED

What do employees actually say about ZURU?

Real rants from real employees. Read before you apply.

Read Company Rants →