Senior Manager, Packaging Design

We are looking for a highly technical packaging leader to drive structural packaging development across a fast-paced consumer products portfolio. This is an engineering-focused role centered on the design, validation, and commercialization of retail packaging, not graphic design or brand identity.

The Senior Manager will lead a small team of Packaging Engineers and partner closely with Product Development, Industrial Design, Sourcing, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Sales. This person will bring deep experience developing packaging for big-box retail environments, with Costco experience strongly preferred.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 2-3 Packaging Engineers.
• Own structural packaging programs from early concept through production launch and ongoing optimization.
• Develop packaging solutions that balance protection, sustainability, manufacturability, cost, shipping performance, and retail presentation.
• Create packaging for big-box retail programs, aligning designs with retailer requirements, merchandising standards, and operational needs.
• Define package dimensions, materials, structural specifications, testing requirements, and production‑ready documentation.
• Improve pallet configurations, cube utilization, freight efficiency, warehouse performance, and retail display readiness.
• Lead packaging validation, ISTA and transportation testing, troubleshooting, and continuous‑improvement initiatives.
• Partner with internal teams and external suppliers to resolve packaging challenges throughout the product lifecycle.
• Evaluate materials, construction methods, and emerging technologies to improve performance and reduce cost.
• Present technical recommendations, tradeoffs, and project updates to leadership and cross‑functional partners.

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 7+ years of structural packaging engineering experience in consumer products, retail, manufacturing, or a related environment.
• 2+ years of experience leading Packaging Engineers or technical teams.
• Proven success bringing structural packaging from concept through commercialization.
• Experience supporting major retailers such as Costco, Walmart, Target, Sam's, Home Depot, Lowe's, or similar accounts.
• Strong knowledge of corrugate, paperboard, plastics, foam, molded pulp, and protective packaging materials.
• Working knowledge of ISTA testing, packaging validation, palletization, cube optimization, shipping efficiency, and retail display requirements.
• Strong project management, communication, and cross‑functional leadership skills.

• Experience managing packaging suppliers and overseas manufacturing partners.
• Knowledge of sustainability initiatives, material-reduction strategies, and packaging optimization.
• Experience with structural packaging CAD tools such as ArtiosCAD, Solid Works, or similar platforms.

This is an opportunity for a hands‑on structural packaging expert who enjoys solving complex technical challenges, leading teams, and building practical, market‑ready packaging solutions for high‑volume retail environments.