Packaging Development Manager

Away • New York City, NY

7d • $110,000 - $130,000 • Onsite

About The Position

About Away We believe travel makes us better. Launched in 2016 with one perfectly designed carry-on, we now offer a range of luggage and travel essentials for every journey. Together we create, innovate, and embark on this journey as a community of travelers, helping to make travel more seamless for everyone. Join The Crew We are hiring a Packaging Development Manager to join our Supply Chain & Operations team. This position reports to the Sr. Director of Quality Assurance, Packaging, & Personalization and takes Away further by ensuring every customer’s first physical interaction with our brand—the unboxing experience—is premium, durable, and sustainable. You will bridge the gap between creative vision and industrial reality, managing the technical lifecycle of packaging from concept to delivery.

Requirements

• You’re a growing leader in the field with a minimum of 5 years of experience in packaging development and a bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• You’re organized, capable of managing complex documentation and samples while articulating technical needs to all levels of the organization
• You’re a systems-oriented communicator, capable of building and managing robust packaging document systems; you have a proven track record of organizing technical specifications, artwork versioning, and sample libraries to ensure global data integrity
• You’re a specialist in consumer goods, ideally with a background in developing high-durability packaging specifically for e-commerce and online delivery environments
• You’re globally minded, bringing experience (or a strong interest) in managing and navigating relationships with international packaging suppliers
• You’re technically proficient with broad knowledge of packaging materials—including paper, corrugated, sustainable alternatives, and plastics—and the methods used to construct them
• You’re an experienced problem-solver who remains flexible and composed while meeting tight deadlines in a fast-paced, demanding environment
• You’re a collaborator at heart, with the ability to navigate competing priorities across Creative, Operations, and Product Development teams
• You’re creative and innovative; you love to build great new things that are fresh and unique while staying on brand
• You’re agile, and motivated by a fast-paced and ever changing environment
• You’re passionate about transforming travel for all (but that’s a given!)

Responsibilities

• You’ll build the technical framework for our packaging by translating creative and marketing recommendations into realistic, high-performance specifications
• You’ll lead the execution of comprehensive project overviews, defining function, manufacturability, costs, and development lead times for every new initiative
• You’ll ensure the construction and design of all packaging achieves design, function, and quality criteria while strictly adhering to cost and time objectives
• You’ll partner with Wholesale teams to develop secondary and tertiary packaging that meets specific retailer compliance standards, including labeling, palletization, and routing guide requirements
• You’ll validate all technical drawings and package specifications to ensure manufacturers have a crystal-clear roadmap for production
• You’ll cultivate and manage a robust network of domestic and international suppliers, serving as the primary technical point of contact for external partners
• You’ll implement and oversee rigorous package testing plans to ensure all materials meet specifications and survive the rigors of the e-commerce journey
• You’ll drive innovation by scouting new packaging concepts, emerging technologies, and cutting-edge materials to support the Product Development team’s roadmap
• You’ll support continuous improvement initiatives focused on sustainability, manufacturing efficiency, and optimized "size-to-ship" dimensions to reduce our carbon footprint

Benefits

• Take care of yourself and your family through our health insurance offerings
• Invest in your future by participating in our 401(k) (with a company match!)
• Find balance through our many paid time off programs (vacation, wellbeing, holidays, summer Fridays, and compassion leave - just to name a few!)
• Build your travel uniform through discount codes, product stipends, and giveaways
• Give back through company-sponsored volunteer and charitable opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees