Packaging Design Manager

Oliver•Twinsburg, OH

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Oliver Inc. is seeking an experienced Packaging Design Manager to lead its structural packaging design function. This role involves driving the development of creative, manufacturable, and cost-effective folding carton packaging solutions. The manager will lead a team of Structural Designers, collaborating with Sales, Manufacturing, Customer Service, and customers to guide packaging concepts from initial idea to final production. The ideal candidate is passionate about packaging design, continuous improvement, and delivering exceptional customer solutions.

Requirements

7-10 years of structural packaging design experience within folding cartons or paperboard packaging.
2-5 years of leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
Strong customer-facing experience supporting packaging development projects.
Advanced proficiency with ArtiosCAD and Esko software.
Deep understanding of folding carton manufacturing processes.
Knowledge of packaging materials, printing, converting, and finishing processes.
Experience with Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office.
Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Industrial Design, Engineering, Graphic Communications, or a related field preferred (equivalent experience will be considered).

Nice To Haves

A strategic and hands-on leader
Customer-focused with outstanding communication skills
Organized and capable of managing multiple priorities
Passionate about innovation and continuous improvement
A strong problem solver who enjoys working cross-functionally in a fast-paced manufacturing environment

Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, coach, and develop a team of Structural Designers.
Prioritize workloads to ensure projects are completed on time and meet customer expectations.
Establish department goals, performance metrics, and best practices.
Conduct performance reviews and support employee development.
Foster a collaborative, innovative, and customer-focused culture.
Lead the design and development of folding carton packaging solutions from concept through production.
Create innovative structural designs that balance functionality, manufacturability, sustainability, and cost.
Develop prototypes and production-ready CAD files using ArtiosCAD.
Review and approve structural designs before customer presentation and manufacturing.
Recommend design improvements that enhance production efficiency and product performance.
Serve as the primary structural design resource for customers and internal stakeholders.
Participate in customer meetings to understand packaging objectives and recommend solutions.
Present design concepts and technical recommendations.
Build strong customer relationships through responsiveness and technical expertise.
Manage multiple design projects simultaneously while meeting quality and delivery expectations.
Coordinate closely with Sales, Estimating, Customer Service, Manufacturing, and Production.
Identify and resolve project challenges before they impact timelines.
Research industry trends, emerging materials, and sustainable packaging innovations.
Drive initiatives that improve manufacturing efficiency, reduce waste, and lower costs.
Develop and maintain structural design standards and documentation.
Evaluate new equipment, software, and manufacturing technologies.