Packaging Design Manager

Unilever•Trumbull, CT

5d•$103,000 - $154,400

About The Position

Unilever is seeking an innovative Packaging Design Manager to drive packaging design and execution across our Personal Care portfolio, including brands such as Dove, Dove Men+Care. This role combines packaging design leadership, project management, and sustainability-focused innovation to deliver consumer-centric, manufacturable, and environmentally responsible packaging solutions. Working within the Global Skin Cleansing Packaging Team, you will lead the development of primary packaging concepts from early-stage ideation through commercialization, ensuring designs meet consumer, business, technical, and sustainability objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Industrial Design, Engineering, or a related discipline.
6+ years of packaging design, development, or engineering experience within FMCG, consumer products, or related industries.
3+ years of project management experience leading cross-functional product or packaging initiatives.
Strong knowledge of packaging materials, manufacturing processes, and primary package development, including plastics, closures, dispensing systems, and paper-based formats.
Experience with 3D CAD modeling, rendering tools, and rapid prototyping technologies.
Familiarity with sustainable packaging principles, recycled materials, circular economy strategies, and environmental impact reduction.

Nice To Haves

Strong packaging design expertise with a passion for innovation and sustainability.
Excellent project management and prioritization skills in a fast-paced environment.
Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives from concept through launch.
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills across technical and non-technical teams.
Results-oriented mindset with a focus on delivering consumer-preferred, brand-building, and environmentally responsible packaging solutions.

Responsibilities

Lead packaging design and development for new products, renovations, and strategic innovation initiatives.
Translate consumer insights and brand strategies into compelling, sustainable packaging solutions.
Manage multiple packaging projects, balancing timelines, resources, risks, and stakeholder expectations.
Partner cross-functionally with Brand, R&D, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality, and external suppliers to deliver packaging programs successfully.
Drive packaging sustainability initiatives through material selection, recyclability improvements, circular design principles, and reduction of environmental impact.
Ensure packaging designs are scalable, manufacturable, and aligned to Design for Manufacturing (DFM) best practices.
Collaborate with external design agencies and suppliers to evaluate new materials, technologies, and decoration methods.
Support packaging testing, validation, and commercialization activities while ensuring compliance with Unilever quality, safety, and sustainability standards.