Packaging Manager

Himalaya Wellness Europe; Dubai; On-site; AED 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Himalaya Wellness Europe is seeking a Packaging Development Manager to lead the packaging development cycle from ideation through launch, ensuring robust technical design and regulatory compliance.

You will collaborate with Dubai and Bangalore packaging teams, factories, Formulation, QA, SCM and Marketing to deliver OTIF packaging components and to qualify new materials, moulds and artwork specifications within global standards.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to lead packaging development from concept to launch.
• Strong understanding of packaging materials, formats and technologies.
• Knowledge of packaging regulatory requirements across EMEA, including Halal certification.

Responsibilities

• Deliver packaging that delights the consumer while ensuring technical robustness and compliance.
• Lead projects to ensure OTIF delivery of packaging components and align with cross-site teams.
• Manage supplier liaison, component qualification, and artwork specifications in packaging systems.

Skills

Problem solving

Data analysis

Results orientation

Communication

Resource management

Cross-functional

Consumer centricity

Ownership

Speed to market

Packaging materials knowledge

Regulatory packaging (Halal)

Sustainability compliance

Cost analysis / BOM

Education

Post Graduation in Packaging Technology

B.Tech in Packaging Technology or Polymer Science

Job description

Job Description: Packaging Development Manager

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.