Packaging Development Manager

Packaging Development Manager

The Packaging Development Manager is a manager-level individual contributor responsible for technical ownership and execution of Barr Brands's plastic bottles, metal cans and dispensing packaging systems (bottles, closures, trigger sprayers (including aerosol), and molded plastic devices components) that interact with chemical formulations. This role is accountable for driving current business packaging performance improvements and ensuring packaging solutions perform reliably for consumers and run robustly on manufacturing and packing lines.

A significant portion of the role includes maintaining and improving packaging specifications and documentation discipline to enable strong change control and scalable supply. This role supports bottle and dispensing packaging across key brands including Mold Armor, Home Armor, Spray and Forget, Microban 24, and Citri Strip, as well as the broader Barr Brands portfolio. This role also owns the current and future evolution of the Home Armor Wand packaging and device system, leading on-going performance improvements and enabling future upgrades.

The Packaging Development Manager translates program requirements into packaging strategy and execution plans, balancing performance, quality, cost, manufacturability, and timing. Provides technical input for external partner selection and leads supplier co-development. Holds approval accountability for tooling readiness, design freeze, and packaging sign-off for assigned programs. Helps define budget scope required to deliver packaging program needs (e.g., prototypes, testing, tooling, trials) in partnership with cross-functional stakeholders.

Partners closely with Sourcing, Operations, QA/QC, Regulatory, Artwork, R&D (testing), and Commercial functions to deliver compliant, manufacturable, launch-ready packaging. Balances three primary work streams: (1) supplier-led packaging development oversight, (2) improvements to current business packaging, and (3) internal packaging design where appropriate - including accountability for maintaining and updating internal packaging specification systems.

Key responsibilities include:

current business improvements (primary focus) where the Packaging Development Manager owns and drives performance, robustness, and manufacturability improvements for existing bottle, closure, trigger sprayer, and dispensing/device systems, including issue resolution, complaint reduction, and continuous improvement initiatives across the portfolio (notably Mold Armor, Spray and Forget, and Citri Strip bottle platforms). Partner with Operations, QA/QC, and manufacturing partners to improve line performance and quality, including supporting trials and changes that improve runnability, reduce scrap or downtime, and strengthen dimensional control against approved tolerances.

Lead supplier technical engagement to execute improvements, ensure accountability, and deliver validated outcomes. Apply practical understanding of packaging tolerances, critical-to-quality dimensions, inspection plans, and quality control methods to diagnose defects, prevent recurrence, and ensure components consistently meet functional and manufacturing requirements.

Specification systems and documentation (secondary focus) where the Packaging Development Manager owns accountability for maintaining and updating internal packaging specification systems, including controlled specifications, drawings, component records, and change documentation. Maintain packaging master data integrity and enable clean cross-functional execution using Spec Right and Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365). Ensure specifications and drawings define appropriate dimensional tolerances, critical quality attributes, acceptance criteria, inspection methods, and change-control requirements for packaging components and systems.

New development and platform evolution (third focus; includes Wand ownership) where the Packaging Development Manager owns the current and future evolution of the Home Armor Wand packaging and device system, driving on-going performance improvements and enabling future upgrades through disciplined technical execution and supplier co-development. Partner with R&D (chemistry and performance specifications) to ensure package/formulation compatibility and consumer-relevant performance; translate performance requirements into packaging/device technical requirements and validation plans.

Lead supplier co-development and governance for new or upgraded packaging components: coordinate prototyping, tooling, technical reviews, and iterative design improvements to meet functional, aesthetic, and cost requirements. Design and execute qualification/validation plans for bottle + dispensing/device systems using a combination of external testing capabilities and internal testing resources; author and maintain packaging test methods and specifications. Support secondary packaging (e.g., cartons, shippers, displays, bundling, protective packaging)…