Packaging Development Specialist

Location: 530 West Broadway, Vancouver BC, Canada / Burnaby, Lake City Way, BC, Canada

Core hours: Monday to Friday from 8am – 4:30pm PST

We value collaboration, both in-person and remotely. This position is classified as Hybrid under our Hybrid Work Program Policy, where this position is required to be onsite 3 days per week.

The Packaging Development Specialist is responsible for the technical development of the physical packaging components used across Eminence's professional and retail product portfolio. This includes primary packaging such as bottles, jars, tubes, pumps, droppers, closures and other dispensing systems, as well as secondary packaging.

This role leads packaging component development from technical concept and supplier sourcing through prototyping, compatibility and functionality testing, specification development, manufacturing and commercial launch. The Packaging Development Specialist evaluates materials, component construction, dimensions, tolerances, functionality, quality and manufacturability to ensure packaging performs as intended.

Working closely with packaging manufacturers and internal partners across Innovation, Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory and Brand, this role serves as Eminence's technical packaging expert. While the role collaborates with Brand on aesthetic requirements, graphic design, artwork and creative development are outside the scope of this position.

• Lead end-to-end technical development of primary and secondary physical packaging components, from initial requirements through sourcing, prototyping, testing, specification approval, manufacturing and commercial launch.
• Define and manage Packaging Development Workstream and related packaging processes (SOPs)
• Approve componentry technical specifications, packaging assembly technical specifications, range boards and assembly instructions for product launches and non-launches initiatives for both primary and secondary packaging.
• Manage costing of all primary and secondary packaging including vendor negotiations (e.g., MOQs).
• Lead and manage all packaging vendor relations and maintain positive working relationships.
• Work with Brand and Innovation Hubs to align on packaging briefing for primary and secondary packaging including shape, material & decoration requirements and implications (e.g. functionality, timing, cost, sustainability impact).
• Lead the vendor selection process (packaging sourcing) to meet the packaging brief in terms of functionality, desired user experience, size, material and decoration.
• Field and respond to escalated Product Knowledge packaging questions in collaboration with the Senior Brand Manager, Innovation and Communications as needed.
• Assess and quantify impact of sustainable packaging options within the portfolio.
• Identify emerging packaging technologies and trends and present findings to Brand and Innovation Hubs to improve customer experience, brand presence, product performance, cost, efficiency, and sustainability.

• Own packaging project plans, milestones and deliverables for launch and non-launch projects and contribute to ongoing project critical paths.
• Partner with cross-functional teams, including Marketing and Supply Chain, to assess project impact, determine hard-stop versus phase-in requirements, and establish run-out and changeover dates for change management projects.
• Ensure throughout the project that packaging deadlines are met, and packaging is delivered on time and on budget. Troubleshoot as needed.
• Maintain high level of coordination and communication with cross-functional teams regarding milestones, progress, and challenges.
• Hold meetings with vendors as needed.
• Travel to trade shows and other industry events as required.
• Contribute to ongoing project critical paths and tasks within larger projects for launch and non-launch initiatives.
• Work with the Innovation Team on the creation and management of the SKU list related to component inputs.

• Define and maintain packaging testing strategies for primary and secondary packaging including quality plans for control stage.
• Create componentry technical specifications and instructions for assembly for both primary and secondary packaging.
• Define and manage packaging development and packaging testing methodologies including user testing activities: prepare and distribute samples, provide user instructions, and gather…