Manager, Structural Packaging Design

Position Overview

A growing and highly respected packaging manufacturer is seeking an experienced Packaging Design Manager to lead its structural packaging design function. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing the development of innovative folding carton and paperboard packaging solutions that meet customer expectations while balancing manufacturability, functionality, sustainability, and cost.

The Packaging Design Manager will lead a team of structural designers and serve as a key technical resource for customers, sales, manufacturing, customer service, and production teams. This individual will drive packaging innovation from concept through commercialization, ensuring designs can be efficiently manufactured while delivering exceptional value to customers.

This role is ideal for a hands-on packaging professional who enjoys leading teams, solving complex packaging challenges, collaborating directly with customers, and influencing the development of high-quality packaging solutions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Structural Designers.
• Establish departmental goals, performance expectations, and best practices.
• Prioritize workloads and resources to ensure project deadlines and customer commitments are achieved.
• Conduct performance evaluations and support professional development initiatives.
• Foster a collaborative, customer-focused, and innovation-driven culture.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement throughout the design organization.

Structural Packaging Design

• Direct the design and development of folding carton and paperboard packaging solutions from concept through production.
• Develop creative structural packaging designs that optimize functionality, cost, sustainability, and manufacturability.
• Oversee prototype development and production-ready CAD drawings.
• Review and approve structural designs prior to customer presentations and manufacturing release.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure designs align with production capabilities and customer requirements.
• Recommend design enhancements that improve package performance, production efficiency, and overall product quality.

Customer Support & Collaboration

• Serve as the primary structural packaging expert for both customers and internal teams.
• Participate in customer meetings to understand objectives, challenges, and packaging requirements.
• Present design concepts, prototypes, and technical recommendations.
• Develop strong customer relationships through responsiveness, technical expertise, and innovative problem-solving.
• Partner with sales teams to support new business opportunities and packaging development initiatives.

Project Management

• Manage multiple packaging development projects simultaneously while maintaining quality, cost, and delivery expectations.
• Coordinate closely with Sales, Estimating, Manufacturing, Production, Customer Service, and Supply Chain teams.
• Track project timelines and ensure successful execution from concept through commercialization.
• Identify potential risks, production concerns, and project obstacles before they impact customer deliverables.
• Maintain effective communication among all stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Research market trends, sustainable packaging solutions, new materials, and emerging technologies.
• Lead initiatives focused on improving manufacturing efficiency, reducing waste, lowering costs, and increasing productivity.
• Develop and maintain structural design standards, documentation, and best practices.
• Evaluate new software, equipment, and technologies that support design and manufacturing excellence.
• Drive innovation efforts that enhance packaging performance and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

Required Experience

• 7+ years of experience in structural packaging design within folding carton, paperboard, or related packaging environments.
• Experience managing packaging development projects from concept through production.
• Strong customer-facing experience supporting packaging design and development initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Proven success working within a manufacturing environment.

Preferred Experience

• 2+ years of leadership, supervisory, or team management experience.
• Experience supporting consumer packaged goods, retail, food and beverage, healthcare, or industrial packaging applications.
• Background in packaging innovation, cost reduction, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency with ArtiosCAD and related structural packaging design software.
• Strong understanding of folding carton manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of packaging materials, printing, converting, die-cutting, finishing, and production operations.
• Experience developing prototypes and production-ready packaging specifications.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and design-related software platforms.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Industrial Design, Engineering, Graphic Communications, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent industry experience will also be considered.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a strategic yet hands-on packaging leader who combines technical expertise with strong leadership and customer relationship skills. This individual is passionate about creating innovative packaging solutions, developing team members, and collaborating across departments to deliver exceptional results.

Successful candidates will possess:

• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent organizational and project management abilities.
• A customer-focused mindset.
• A passion for packaging innovation and sustainable solutions.
• The ability to lead teams while remaining actively involved in technical projects.
• A continuous improvement mentality with a focus on operational excellence and efficiency.

Compensation & Benefits

This opportunity offers a competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits, including:

• Competitive base salary
• Annual performance incentive opportunities
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company contribution
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities
• Collaborative and team-oriented culture
• Exposure to innovative packaging technologies and manufacturing processes

About the Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for a packaging design professional seeking to lead a high-performing team while influencing the development of innovative packaging solutions. The successful candidate will play a critical role in shaping packaging strategy, driving customer satisfaction, advancing sustainability initiatives, and supporting continued business growth through world-class structural package design.