Senior Partnership Manager

Senior Partnership Manager – Packaging Innovation Lab @ Pepsi Co

Location:

Plano, TX – Must be on‑site, 40 hours per week.

The Packaging Innovation Lab (PIL) is a facility inside Pepsi Co R&D Center in Plano, TX, servicing R&D Packaging. It utilizes state‑of‑the‑art prototyping and 2D and 3D printing equipment to provide new-to‑the‑world packaging concepts and innovation.

Woven Works runs the facility under a partnership agreement with Pepsi Co. The Senior Partnership Manager leads the facility, manages the four full‑time staff, and directs day‑to‑day operations.

• Partnership Team Oversight & Quality Control: Provide leadership to ensure onsite staff deliver quality work based on client and contractor specifications and comply with employment and contractor policies.
• Equipment & Material Recommendation: Recommend equipment and materials for R&D foods packaging, integration of digital support and appropriate fidelity of prototypes; oversee maintenance, repairs, consumables procurement, calibration, EHS readiness, and workshop safety protocols.
• Coordinate Partnership Requests: Align with the client on deliverables, timing, and resources; use Monday to create work orders, manage a first‑come, first‑serve deliverables queue, prioritise Pepsi Co‑prioritised work, and handle multiple live parallel work streams.
• Partnership Management: Develop and implement partnership strategies, pursue new opportunities, strengthen relationships, manage communication, and drive continuous growth.
• Backup & Augmentation: Direct remote team(s) in Fairfield, Cincinnati or Chicago to provide backup when onsite employees are unavailable, estimate time and materials, and ensure seamless delivery.
• Lead: Promote the PIL, lead in‑person tours and ideation sessions, guide the team through corporate dynamics, and communicate key messages.

• Industrial Design with a bias for structural packaging design and packaging development experience; preference for CPG food and snacking experience; proficiency in Solid Works for detailed 3D CAD models.
• Advanced solid and surface modeling techniques to create complex, manufacturable geometries.
• Translate design intent into prototypes suitable for production.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to ensure feasibility and alignment with project goals.
• Integrate 2D and 3D printing into the prototyping workflow, selecting appropriate methods, technologies, and materials.
• Work efficiently under tight timelines and adapt to changing project requirements.
• Participate in design reviews and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
• Prototyping Specialist with experience in rapid 2D and 3D prototyping, workshop machinery, materials, maintenance, and calibration.
• Team Leader with 8+ years of progressive professional experience.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to build and maintain relationships with key partners and clients.
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills; thrive in fast‑paced environments with multiple concurrent projects.
• Passionate about branding & packaging; strong presentation and collaboration abilities.
• Design Leadership experience in Design Thinking and Front‑End Innovation; comfortable navigating ambiguity and complex evolving tasks.
• Flexibility to shift seamlessly between leading, planning, doing, and managing throughout projects.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, industrial design, or related field.
• Expert in 3D CAD surface modelling and Solid modelling, Solid Works preferred.
• Experience with project management software – Monday preferred.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, Key Shot, or similar tools.
• Experience with prototyping and product development cycles.
• Understanding material behaviour in additive and moulding processes.
• Microsoft 360 proficiency.