JOB TITLE: Packaging Engineer
REPORTS TO: Senior Manager, Packaging & Sustainability
DEPARTMENT: Product Development
OVERVIEW
The Packaging Engineer is responsible for owning the development, execution, and tracking of all product specifications, sampling program testing and specifications, and packaging artwork review. They have a deep understanding of technical packaging development, experience fostering relationships with suppliers and contract manufacturers, exceptional project management skills and thrive in a constantly evolving, fast-paced environment. They possess a knowledge and understanding of sustainable packaging requirements, along with any associated risks and implications, and have the demonstrated ability to communicate cross-functionally to support decision-making.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Supports packaging development projects for current and new Summer Fridays products/lines
- Manages packaging development timelines, ensuring that all critical launch milestones are met and information is communicated as necessary to key stakeholders
- Manages and organizes all packaging files (specifications, quotes, etc.) and artwork files
- Manages and owns development of all sampling projects, including but not limited to sourcing components that can be standardized by size and format, color matching, and compatibility and functionality testing
- Develops, manages, and organizes F&As and technical packaging specifications for all componentry (primary, secondary, tertiary)
- Tracks and organizes all packaging samples for internal review, reference, and archive
- Reviews all artwork files and proofs for accuracy and completeness, managing the submission, review and approval process with packaging suppliers and print vendors
- Partners with Operations to ensure vendor selections are strategically aligned with supplier rationalization
- Works with Senior Packaging Engineer and PD team to reates packaging briefs, manages quotes from suppliers, and initiates, oversees, and tracks applicable product testing
- Partners with Marketing to consolidate, manage and track prelaunch sample needs
- Supports Quality team in creation of finished product specifications
- Supports packaging sustainability efforts, working closely with applicable internal (Product Development, Marketing, Operations, Sales) and external (retail partners, regulatory agencies, etc.) stakeholders to provide strategic recommendations to improve our carbon footprint
- Partners with outside sustainability partners (PACT Collective, Bluebird, Lorax EPI) to stay up to date on sustainability requirements, sharing out information with key cross-unctional partners, and identifying any changes required for sustainability requirements (whether retailer or market mandated) and creating a roadmap for implementation.
REQUIREMENTS
- Minimum 3 years of packaging development experience in CPG or Beauty (skincare and makeup format knowledge highly desired)
- Solid knowledge of the prestige beauty market and a passion for products, packaging and how they work together
- Understanding of packaging sustainability and global compliance
- Exceptional project management experience, organizational skills, and attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and tasks with precision and detail
- Demonstrable experience working closely with packaging vendors, contract manufacturers, operations, and marketing teams
- Demonstrable experience working with cross-functional teams
- Solid problem-solving skills, analytical skills, and business acumen
- Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal skills
- Flexible personality to take on new challenges as they come and to switch gears immediately when necessary
- Strong working knowledge of MS Suite products (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and project management platforms
- Based in Los Angeles, CA
