Global Consumer Packaging Specialist

Kō wai mātou? Who are we?

Zespri is more than simply the world's single-largest marketer of kiwifruit. We like to think of ourselves as fruit on a mission and as rebels with a cause: to help people, communities and the environment around the world thrive through the goodness of kiwifruit. We are proudly the world's largest marketer of kiwifruit, selling kiwifruit in more than 50 countries. We work with around 2,800 New Zealand and 1,500 international growers and post-harvest companies to source the best-quality Zespri Kiwifruit which we supply through our distribution partners to wholesale and retail customers. We are one of New Zealand's best-known international brands, dedicated to creating sustainable long-term value for growers.

He aha te mahi? What's the role?

Much more than "just a box" consumer packaging is Zespri’s most visible brand touchpoint. The Global Consumer Packaging Specialist with a focus on Design, Insights & Communications is at the forefront of creating innovative packaging solutions. 

This role develops a deep understanding in shopper and consumer behaviour, as well as generating actionable insights. The role will collaborate with agencies and innovation partners to develop packaging that maximizes shopper and consumer impact, meets customer, supply chain, and regulatory requirements, preserves fruit quality, and minimizes environmental impact as efficiently as possible.

Key Responsibilities

• Insights: Be the expert on effective consumer packaging through a deep knowledge of shopper and consumer behaviour related to 3D and 2D design. Develop customer, shopper and consumer insights through market research & data analysis to inform packaging innovation & design decisions, ensuring that packaging meets the needs and preferences of users throughout the supply chain.
• Design Leadership: Work to design and develop packaging/fruit ID concepts, mock-ups, and prototypes that meet Zespri’s packaging strategy objectives.
• Communications: Effectively communicate packaging strategies, targets and progress to internal and external stakeholders as well as developing and maintaining packaging guidelines and documentation.
• Guidance: Developing and maintaining the guidelines and catalogue for Zespri consumer packaging products (e.g. packaging/sustainability regulations and targets, formats, designs, volume, costs, material, etc.)
• Information Management: Working with Sales, Marketing & Regional Packaging Managers – across key markets, to gather data related to consumer packaging, ensure data integrity, developing and approving proposals for new formats, phasing out of formats, etc.  
• System & Process Management: Maintain and suggest improvements for current packaging management system/processes ensuring positive user experience. 
• Budget/ Project Management: Lead the Consumer Pack development projects managing project as well as BAU budgets, contractors and agencies.

Key Result Areas

• Improve effectiveness of Zespri packaging with Shoppers & Consumers
• Rationalize the overall number of consumer packaging formats & packaging cost as a % of revenue
• Increase the number of consumer packs that meet the Zespri Brand and Sustainability Standards.

Ko wai koe? Who are you?

With a tertiary qualification in business administration or packaging-related fields, you will be meet the following criteria:

• Minimum 5 years of product/ brand management experience in consumer facing categories, or background as a packaging technologist with less brand management experience. 
• Strong experience in managing multi-country projects with cross functional teams, including external partners.
• Experience in developing and implementing consumer packaging, ideally across multiple markets and sourcing sites.
• Experience in fresh produce or other food businesses is an advantage.
• Fluency in English (both written and oral).
• Experience with CRM tools and/or relational databases would be an advantage.
• Change management experience is a valuable skill

He aha e tika ai a Zespri? Why Zespri?

Our people are what makes our culture so irresistible and uniquely Zespri. We are a passionate and mighty team of 850+ employees in 23 different locations globally. Working at Zespri is an opportunity to join a fast-paced, culture-driven environment unlike any other. We want people who share our values of making it happen, creating real connections, and leaving a legacy. Join us in shaping our future and be part of a truly unique organisation.
 

• Competitive overall remuneration package, including a Short-Term Incentive scheme opportunity.
• FlexWELL flexible work ethos; WFH & the office.
• Additional paid annual leave day per year (Zespri Day).
• Two additional paid leave days for you to proactively support the moments that genuinely boost your mental, physical, emotional, and social wellbeing (Boost Days).
• Global Life and Permanent Disability Insurance.
• Group Medical Insurance benefits.
• Annual Health Check
• Monthly kiwifruit allowance for your daily dose of Vitamin C!

Tono mai inaianei! Apply Now! Applications close 11 November 2025

At Zespri, we understand the importance of diverse perspectives and experiences, and a fair hiring process is the first step to getting there. We want to attract a diverse range of people and encourage everyone from all backgrounds and walks of life to apply. Please let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments to take part in the recruitment and selection process by reaching out to our Talent Acquisition team via email at careers@zespri.com.

Agency

Zespri will not accept applications or contact from any temporary staffing agency, placement service or professional recruiter for this vacancy (“Agency”).

Where Zespri requires the support of an agency to fulfil a vacancy, we will proactively seek this support from our network of Agencies.  We respectfully ask that you do not contact Zespri or any of its affiliates/employees regarding vacancies, and reserve the right not to reply.

Zespri will not be responsible for, and will not pay, any fees, commissions or other payments related to such unsolicited resumes.