R&D Packaging Specialist

Bright Innovation Labs•Coolidge, AZ

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Packaging Specialist with a background in the cosmetics or personal care industry. This position offers the opportunity to join a dynamic, fast-paced environment where you will develop strategies to grow market share, enhance brand reputation, improve customer experience, and drive business growth. The Packaging Specialist will own existing and custom packaging development across our portfolio of personal care products. This role will scope, innovate, procure and scale up packaging solutions for new products across all categories. You will be the main point of contact for your projects, both internally at Bright and externally with customers and vendors. You will serve as the AZ facilities technical expert in packaging. As part of the Research & Development team, you will collaborate closely with Operations, Marketing, and Sales to bring innovative products and packaging solutions to life in a scalable and efficient manner.

Requirements

5+ years of proven experience in physical packaging development for a CPG brand, preferably in personal care.
Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Packaging Design, Industrial Design, Science or in a related field.
Strong knowledge of packaging materials, technologies, and sustainability practices.
Proven experience in project management and cross-functional collaboration.
Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present technical information to non-technical stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Interest in health and wellness, personal care, and/or eCommerce industries.
Someone who gets things done without perfect resources is innovative and works with a sense of urgency.
Someone who has high standards takes ownership and is invested in the outcome.
Someone who proactively helps others stays positive and has a good sense of humor.

Responsibilities

Design and engineer innovative packaging solutions to enhance product functionality, maximize user experience, & focus on sustainability
Conduct material and structural analysis to ensure packaging performance and cost-effectiveness.
Partner with external vendors to ensure package designs can be effectively produced at scale.
Drive the packaging R&D process for new products, collaborating with internal and external partners.
Obtain physical packaging samples and lead the cross-functional approval process for all packaging.
Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources effectively to meet business objectives.
In charge of Procurement for packaging components and negotiating better pricing.
Set up library of suppliers, printers and components for existing and innovative packaging.
Travel as needed to ensure successful launch and continued execution of projects, including attending line trials, validating packaging suppliers, and troubleshooting quality concerns as they arise.
Oversee the execution of packaging tests and simulations to validate designs and ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
Collaborate with suppliers to source and evaluate new packaging materials, delivery formats and technologies.
Stay updated on industry trends, sustainability initiatives, and consumer preferences to drive continuous improvement in packaging design.