Design Director, Experiential & Packaging

Kosas; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Kosas is seeking a Design Director in Los Angeles to lead packaging and spatial design across primary and secondary packaging, mailers, and experiential programs. This hands-on leader collaborates with product development, retail, and marketing to translate brand strategy into manufacturable, distinctive packaging.

You will oversee a small design team, set priorities, and maintain design standards while guiding senior-level craft and production.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of packaging design experience.
• Direct beauty packaging experience with market-ready products.
• Proven experience managing and developing at least one direct-report designer.
• Ability to set priorities, delegate work, give constructive feedback, and hold a team accountable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and personally design primary packaging across all product categories.
• Develop packaging forms, components, materials, colors, finishes, and functional details.
• Translate product and brand strategy into packaging that is distinctive, intuitive, and practical to manufacture.
• Create sketches, CAD models, renderings, prototypes, and clear engineering handoffs.
• Partner with Product and Packaging Development on functionality, durability, cost, and manufacturability.
• Review prototypes, tooling samples, color standards, and production samples through final approval.
• Lead secondary packaging for launches, sets, limited editions, sampling, and promos.
• Remain hands-on in development of secondary packaging, mailers, and spatial concepts.

Skills

Packaging design

Team leadership

Designer management

Adobe Creative Suite

AI tools

Sustainable materials

Packaging engineering

Budgeting

Cross-functional

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Kosas is looking for a Design Director to lead packaging and physical brand experiences. This role focuses primarily on packaging and spatial design, with responsibility for secondary packaging, mailers, and event + retail experience design.

This is a hands-on leadership role based in Los Angeles, reporting to the Chief Creative Officer. You’ll work closely with Product Development, Packaging Development, Retail, Brand Marketing, Operations, and Creative Operations from concept through production.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and personally design primary packaging across all product categories
• Develop packaging forms, components, materials, colors, finishes, and functional details
• Translate product and brand strategy into packaging that is distinctive, intuitive, and practical to manufacture
• Create sketches, CAD models, renderings, prototypes, and clear engineering handoffs
• Partner with Product and Packaging Development on functionality, formula compatibility, durability, sustainability, cost, and manufacturability
• Review prototypes, tooling samples, color standards, and production samples through final approval
• Lead secondary packaging for launches, sets, limited editions, sampling, and promotional programs
• Remain hands-on in the development and execution of secondary packaging, mailers, and spatial concepts
• Lead spatial design for pop-ups, booths, installations, masterclasses, store takeovers, and special events
• Concept and direct press and influencer mailers
• Manage and develop a Designer, setting clear priorities, expectations, and areas of ownership
• Delegate work thoughtfully while remaining accountable for creative quality and final execution
• Give clear, actionable feedback and support the Designer’s professional growth
• Review work at key stages to make sure projects remain aligned with the approved direction
• Step into detailed design and production work when a project requires senior-level craft or problem-solving
• Collaborate with fabricators, spatial partners, printers, and production vendors as needed
• Maintain a connected design language across packaging, retail, and experiential work
• Partner with Creative Operations on scopes, budgets, resources, and timelines
• Present concepts and recommendations to Creative leadership and cross-functional partners
• Maintain design standards, material references, specifications, and prototype libraries

You Bring

• 8+ years of packaging design experience
• Direct beauty packaging experience and a portfolio showing primary and secondary packaging that has been manufactured and brought to market
• Proven experience managing and developing at least one direct-report designer
• The ability to set priorities, delegate work, give constructive feedback, and hold a team accountable for quality and deadlines
• The ability to move comfortably between designing the work yourself and directing the work of a Designer
• Experience directing retail, spatial, or experiential work
• Deep knowledge of packaging components, materials, decoration methods, color, finishes, prototyping, tooling, and manufacturing
• Experience partnering with packaging engineers, product developers, manufacturers, fabricators, printers, and vendors
• The ability to move between product design, graphic design, and three-dimensional environments
• Strong creative leadership, presentation, critique, and decision-making skills
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite
• Proficiency with AI tools for research, concept development, visualization, and workflow improvement
• Knowledge of sustainable materials and responsible production
• The ability to manage several workstreams in a fast-paced environment and make clear decisions under tight deadlines