Manager - Packaging

Job Title: Manager, Packaging Development

Focus Personal Care, Skincare, & Color Cosmetics Travel Approximately: 15-20 % Work Environment: Fast-paced, Flexible, Startup Culture

Job Summary The Manager, Packaging Development will be the key technical leader driving all packaging initiatives for new product launches across Personal Care and Color Cosmetics. This role requires an innovator with deep technical knowledge in rigid, semi-rigid, paperboard and laminate packaging. The candidate must possess exceptional project management and stakeholder management skills, a hands-on approach to mould development, and a proven ability to perform value engineering while maintaining strong quality standards. Crucially, the manager must have an in-depth understanding of the cost breakdown for key formats, including glass bottles, PET bottles, Cap/Closures, Labels, Paperboard, and corrugated shippers, to drive maximum profitability and efficiency. This position requires flexibility, strong conflict resolution skills, and the ability to thrive in a high-growth, startup culture.

Core Responsibilities I. New Product Launch & Innovation Leadership

Drive NPD Process: Lead the full packaging lifecycle from concept definition to commercialization for a high volume of new product launches in the personal care and color cosmetics segments.

Innovation & Ideation: Act as a packaging innovator, continuously scouting new materials, formats, and design technologies to enhance consumer experience, improve sustainability, and reduce costs.

Mould Development Expertise: Directly manage and execute the technical development and validation of new tooling and moulds for custom primary packaging components (e.g., bottles, jars, closures).

II. Project Management & Stakeholder Management End-to-End Project Ownership: Utilize exceptional project management skills to define scopes, manage timelines, control budgets, and ensure on- time delivery of all packaging projects.

Stakeholder Alignment: Serve as the primary liaison, demonstrating strong stakeholder management and communication skills to align cross- functional teams (Marketing, Operations, R&D, Procurement).

Conflict Resolution: Exhibit proficiency in critical thinking and managing conflict situations effectively to resolve technical and project-related roadblocks quickly and maintain positive team dynamics.

III. Technical Expertise & Quality Assurance Costing & Value Engineering: Possess deep expertise in the costing of packaging material, including bottles, caps, pumps, labels, paperboard cartons, and glass bottles. Conduct robust cost analysis and value engineering activities.

IV. Material Specialization: Provide in-depth technical knowledge and troubleshoot issues related to the functional performance of laminates (e.g., tubes) and rigid packaging components.

Decoration Mastery: Maintain a good understanding of decoration techniques (e.g., screen printing, hot stamping, labeling, offset printing) and ensure technical feasibility and quality execution on all packaging.

Quality Resolution: Lead and execute projects focused on resolving complex quality issues related to packaging components or filling line performance, driving effective and lasting resolution.

V. Sustainability and Regulatory Leadership Plastic & Rigid Packaging: Drive the adoption of Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) content in bottles, jars, and closures, setting targets and validating material performance, color, and compatibility.

Paperboard Packaging: Lead initiatives to optimize carton design for material reduction, ensuring all paperboard is sourced from certified sustainable forests (e.g., FSC-certified) and maximizing the use of recycled fiber.

Flexible Packaging (Laminates): Focus on transitioning complex multi- material flexible packaging (e.g., sachets, tubes) to mono-material structures that are designed for recyclability without compromising product preservation.

Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all packaging materials and claims comply with local and international environmental regulations, recycling mandates, and labeling standards.

Reporting: Track and report key packaging sustainability metrics, such as plastic usage and recyclability rates, in line with company goals.

Qualifications And Required Skills Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering , PG in Packaging from IIP/SIES.

Experience: 7+ years of dedicated packaging development experience, specifically within the Personal Care and/or Color Cosmetics industry.

Technical: Proven expertise in mould development, strong understanding of injection moulding processes, and comprehensive knowledge of material properties for both plastic and glass packaging.

Soft Skills: Demonstrated excellence in communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and conflict management.

Travel: Willingness to travel up to 20% internationally and domestically for supplier visits, trials, and trade shows.