Bombay Shaving Company - Packaging Head

Company Overview:

Bombay Shaving Company is a premium personal care brand that has disrupted the grooming industry by offering high-quality, solution-oriented products for men and women. Operating across a robust omnichannel model, the company leverages its direct-to-consumer website, major e-commerce marketplaces, and a growing retail footprint to reach millions of customers. With a focus on innovation and customer-centricity, the brand has established itself as a leader in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) space, driven by a culture of agility, data-backed decision-making, and rapid growth.

Role Overview:

The Packaging Manager/Head will be responsible for leading the packaging strategy, development, quality, cost optimization, innovation, and execution across the organization's FMCG portfolio. The role will manage end-to-end packaging activities, from concept and material selection through commercialization and continuous improvement.

The position will work closely with R&D, Procurement, Quality, Production, Engineering, Marketing, Supply Chain, Regulatory, and external packaging suppliers to deliver packaging that meets consumer needs, product protection, quality standards, regulatory requirements, sustainability goals, and cost targets.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Packaging Strategy & Leadership:

- Develop and implement the overall packaging strategy aligned with business objectives.

- Lead packaging development for new products, line extensions, renovations, and pack-size changes.

- Establish packaging standards, specifications, processes, and best practices.

- Build and develop a strong packaging team with clear roles, objectives, and KPIs.

- Drive packaging innovation and identify emerging materials, technologies, and formats.

2. New Product & Packaging Development:

- Lead end-to-end packaging development from concept to commercial launch.

- Evaluate primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging solutions.

- Approve packaging concepts based on functionality, consumer appeal, manufacturability, quality, and cost.

- Plan and manage packaging trials, machine trials, pilot runs, and commercial validation.

- Ensure timely completion of packaging development projects as per NPD timelines.

3. Packaging Cost Optimization:

- Drive annual packaging cost-reduction and value-engineering initiatives.

- Identify opportunities for material reduction, downgauging, pack optimization, alternate materials, standardization, and supplier development.

- Work closely with Procurement and suppliers to achieve cost targets.

- Track packaging cost savings and ensure sustainable implementation.

4. Packaging Quality & Performance:

- Establish and maintain packaging specifications and quality standards.

- Ensure packaging materials consistently meet approved specifications.

- Lead resolution of critical packaging quality and performance issues.

- Conduct root-cause analysis and implement CAPA for recurring problems.

- Monitor packaging performance across manufacturing, warehousing, transportation, and consumer usage.

5. Supplier & Vendor Management:

- Develop strategic relationships with key packaging suppliers.

- Support supplier selection, qualification, audits, and capability assessments.

- Lead technical discussions with suppliers regarding new materials and technologies.

- Monitor supplier performance related to quality, cost, innovation, service, and delivery.

- Develop alternate sources for critical packaging materials to improve supply continuity.

6. Manufacturing & Technical Support:

- Provide technical leadership for packaging-line issues.

- Improve packaging-machine compatibility and line efficiency.

- Troubleshoot issues such as leakage, sealing failure, printing defects, dimensional variation, material failure, and machine stoppages.

Qualification:

- Bachelor's/Master's degree in Packaging Technology, Polymer Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Food Technology, Printing Technology, or a related discipline.

- MBA/PG qualification in Supply Chain, Operations, or Management would be an advantage.

Experience:

- 8-15+ years of relevant experience in packaging, preferably within FMCG, Food & Beverage, Personal Care, Home Care, Pharma, or Consumer Products.

- Strong experience in packaging development, supplier management, manufacturing support, and cost optimization.

- Experience managing cross-functional teams and large-scale packaging projects.

- Sustainable packaging materials and technologies.