Job Description: Packaging Development Manager
Summary
The incumbent will lead the packaging development cycle, from ideation through the launch of new products.
Key Skills/Abilities/Behaviors
- Demonstrates effective problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Strong data analysis skills.
- Strong action/results orientation with the ability to work with minimal oversight, and to be self-motivated and proactive in achieving individual/team objectives.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate views convincingly and influence stakeholders and external suppliers.
- Able to manage resources.
- Demonstrated understanding of working in a complex environment and interacting with other functions and business groups.
- Demonstrates strong consumer centricity, keeping the end customer's needs and experience central to decision-making.
- Takes ownership and accountability for outcomes, individually and as part of a team.
- Drives speed to market, balancing pace with quality and compliance requirements.
- Good knowledge of various packaging materials, formats, and technologies.
- Good understanding of packaging regulatory requirements, including Halal certification, across EMEA and other regional markets.
- Good understanding of the sustainability agenda and associated regulations across geographies, including EPR and PPWR.
- Strong analytical skills, including the ability to identify cost variables and expertise in Bill of Materials cost structures at multiple volume tiers.
Responsibilities
- Deliver packaging that delights the consumer while ensuring technical robustness, through Himalaya's Packaging Excellence best practices.
- Lead and execute projects to ensure on-time-in-full (OTIF) delivery of packaging components, aligning with the Dubai- and Bangalore-based packaging teams as required, and connecting with the factory team, Formulation, QA, SCM, Marketing, and suppliers.
- Liaise with packaging material suppliers for the development of packaging components.
- Evaluate and qualify packaging components for the project portfolio using established protocols, and modify or design new ones where appropriate, working closely with the larger Himalaya Packaging team.
- Ensure quality of specifications, technical drawings, and KLDs for artwork in systems such as MDM and HGSM, and lead the digital agenda in packaging.
- Manage the technical development and validation of moulds.
- Partner directly with Global and Regional Marketing, Supply Chain and Procurement, Finance, Legal, Regulatory, and Channel teams, as well as the wider Packaging teams in Bangalore and Dubai, and R&D sub-functions including Formulation and Claims, as required.
- Serve as the subject matter expert, providing directional recommendations on sourcing, development, and qualification of new packaging suppliers, considering cost targets, minimum order quantities, lead times, and obsolete inventory.
- Work with procurement teams to formulate recommendations on material cost drivers, applying should-cost models and other analytical tools.
- Provide technical expertise to resolve quality and production issues, drawing on knowledge of the company's manufacturing methods.
- Maintain packaging standards, specifications, and best practices through proper documentation, with a focus on ongoing improvement of tools and processes.
- Support the Packaging Head in coordinating packaging development activities across projects, and serve as the first point of contact for the broader business teams.
Travel
Approximately 5% of the time, considering both local and international travel.
Qualifications & Experience
- Post Graduation in Packaging Technology, B. Tech in Packaging Technology or Polymer Science.
- Minimum 12 years of experience in the Packaging Development field, preferably with CPG companies.
