The Director of Package Development & Engineering leads the creation of innovative, premium packaging solutions that meet the highest standards of technical performance, aesthetic precision, and consumer experience. This role requires a blend of deep technical expertise and strong project management capability to deliver packaging that operates flawlessly while reinforcing the elevated expectations of a prestige hair care brand. The Director will lead a team of engineers and developers responsible for end-to-end packaging development—from concept to full-scale commercialization. Working closely with cross-functional partners including Marketing, Product Development, Operations, Quality, Creative, and external suppliers, this role ensures all packaging initiatives align with the company’s innovation roadmap, sustainability goals, operational requirements, and brand vision

This individual will spearhead next-generation package development and industrial design initiatives that advance our multi-year R&D Innovation strategy and elevate our product portfolio.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Excellence

• Lead end-to-end development and commercialization of all packaging components across categories and brand portfolio.
• Ensure packaging meets requirements for performance, compatibility, safety, quality, manufacturability, and supply chain efficiency.
• Provide deep technical expertise across materials science, molding and forming technologies, aerosol and dispensing systems, and structural package engineering.
• Establish and maintain technical standards, development methodologies and industry best practices.

Team Leadership & Development

• Manage and develop the Packaging Development & Engineering team, fostering a high-performance culture with strong technical capability.
• Set project priorities and KPIs, allocate resources, and drive disciplined project execution.
• Promote collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within the team. 

Innovation & Design Development

• Build and execute a multi-year packaging innovation roadmap in partnership with Marketing, Product Development, Creative, and Product Insights.
• Evaluate emerging materials, technologies, and packaging formats to enhance consumer experience, product performance, sustainability, and brand differentiation.
• Drive concepting, prototyping, testing, and validation throughout the design and development process.
• Partner with R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Quality, Regulatory, Procurement, and external vendors to deliver packaging from concept through launch meeting defined project key objective and timeline.
• Create, maintain, and manage detailed technical documentation including drawings, specifications, BOMs, testing protocols,  tooling recommendations, and risk assessments.
• Ensure cross-functional project team and executive leadership alignment at each development stage gate.

Regulatory Compliance & Sustainability

• Ensure all packaging meets global regulatory, environmental, and safety standards.
• Identify compliance risks early and lead teams in identifying alternatives or design adjustments.
• Partner with Regulatory Affairs to guarantee accurate monitoring and documentation of essential metrics, including PCR percentage and plastic tonnage, in accordance with government regulations and filing standards.
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Product Development teams to set sustainability targets, establish long-term objectives, and define consumer-facing commitments, while ensuring consistency with overall corporate goals.  
• Apply sustainability targets and frameworks—including recyclability, material reduction, renewable materials, and circular design—to all packaging decisions.

Cost & Operational Optimization

• Develop packaging solutions that balance aesthetics, technical performance and sustainability, while meeting predefined cost targets.
• Identify and lead initiatives focused on value engineering, material optimization, cost reduction, and operational efficiency with a goal of improved gross margins.
• Attend and support manufacturing scale-up by ensuring robust, efficient, and repeatable production processes.

Supplier & Manufacturing Oversight

• Identify, qualify, and manage packaging suppliers and contract manufacturing partners to build a strong supply chain and production network.
• Oversee tooling development, master batch color matching, sample approval, equipment qualification, line trials, and production start-up.
• Establish strong supplier relationships and capabilities through ongoing technical engagement, site visits, and leading forward looking innovation sessions.

Quality Assurance

• Establish performance specifications, testing standards, visual/color management, and acceptance criteria.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions related to packaging quality issues across development and commercial operations.
• Ensure quality is embedded throughout the packaging lifecycle.

Industry & Technology Leadership

• Monitor emerging technologies, trends, and supplier innovations to inform long-term packaging strategy.
• Represent the brand at industry events, supplier meetings, and innovation forums.

Experience & Technical Expertise

• 8–10+ years of concentrated package development experience, Beauty or Personal Care industry preferred, with a strong emphasis on engineering and manufacturability of primary packaging.
• Deep understanding of packaging technologies, including:
  • Extrusion & Injection Blow Molding
  • Aluminum Aerosol Packaging
  • Glass Packaging
  • Decoration Methods (e.g., screen printing, hot stamping, metallization)
  • Extruded Tubes
  • Dispensing Systems (pumps, valves, sprayers)
  • Board and label construction, printing, and adhesives
• Extensive experience with packaging test methods, performance validation, and qualifications in both lab and manufacturing environments.
• Proven success bringing multiple packaging innovations, including custom components and elements, from concept to full commercialization.

Leadership & Management Skills

• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing technical teams.
• Strong communication, presentation, and influencing skills; able to work effectively with cross-functional partners and external suppliers.
• Ability to manage complex project portfolios, set priorities and timelines, and drive results in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Innovation & Strategic Thinking

• Strong creative thinking and future-oriented mindset.
• Ability to evaluate and champion new materials, technologies, and packaging concepts that improve performance, reduce cost, support sustainability goals, and differentiate the brand.
• Demonstrated capability to think strategically from big picture to minute details scale. transform early ideas into commercially viable packaging solutions.

Technical & Business Skills

• Proficiency with PLM systems, specification tools, packaging test equipment, and tolerance analysis, plus a strong knowledge basis of CAD and 3D printing.
• Strong understanding of global packaging regulations and sustainability frameworks – specifically NA and EU markets.
• Ability to build cost models, assess tooling investment, and communicate technical and financial impacts.

Personal Attributes.

· Highly collaborative, proactive, and solution-oriented, comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and efficiently managing multiple tasks.

· Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with a mindset to manage complex quality issues. 

· Passion for beauty, design, engineering, and premium consumer experiences.

· Curiosity and commitment to staying ahead of industry, technology, and sustainability trends.

This job is a full-time position that requires the candidate to be in the office four days a week with one day remote unless travelling on business to packaging suppliers, CMOs or business meetings. The candidate should expect that there will be travel required up to 25% of the time.

Annual Base Compensation range: $165,000 - $200,000 (commensurate with experience)

Living Proof is committed to an inclusive workplace with equal opportunities for all. Our business strategy recognizes that an inclusive culture is a business strength that helps us win, as we develop and market products that resonate with all consumers and the diverse communities we serve. At the same time, we will also remain compliant with all legal requirements. #LI-FC1