R&D Packaging Development Manager

Wella Company; New Jersey; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid holidays and PTO

Life and disability insurance

Job summary

The Wella Company is seeking an R&D Packaging Development Manager in Morris Plains, NJ, with a hybrid schedule (3 days onsite). You will lead end-to-end packaging ideation, development, and qualification for Hair Color, Care & Styling brands, including collaboration with TPMs and internal partners.

Ideal candidates bring 1–3 years in packaging development, strong English, and hands-on problem-solving. The role emphasizes sustainability, cross-functional collaboration, and the use of digital/AI

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of Package Development/Package Engineering experience in FMCG, preferably beauty/hair.
• Fluency in English (written/oral) is mandatory.
• Strong analytical & problem-solving skills; entrepreneurial, agile, curious, hands-on spirit.
• Ability to travel: 20% of time to domestic or international destinations.
• Knowledge & experience of AI tools and coding is fundamental.

Responsibilities

• Base Business Continuity: support BC, efficiency projects, manufacturing transfers, and scouting for new suppliers/manufacturers and technologies.
• Innovation/Projects: develop and qualify package innovations across Hair brands considering design, performance, cost, scalability, and quality.
• Internal & External (TPM) focused: own and drive projects with internal and external partners.
• Sustainability Integration: implement sustainable packaging practices aligned with company targets.
• Ownership & Agility: manage multiple priorities with agility and resilience.
• Testing: plan and execute technical & consumer learning tests through project gates.

Skills

Packaging development

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

English fluency

Hands-on

Entrepreneurial spirit

Travel flexibility

AI tools familiarity

Education

University degree in Packaging Development & Technologies, Engineering, or Industrial Design

Tools

AI tools

Packaging technologies

Job description

Position Title: R&D Packaging Development Manager

Department

R&D

Location

Morris Plains, NJ (Hybrid – 3 Days Onsite)

Reports to

Manager, Brand

Scope / Brands

US / Wella

About The Wella Company

Together, WE enable individuals to look, feel, and be their true selves.

Wella Company is one of the world’s leading beauty companies, comprised of a family of iconic brands such as Wella, Clairol, OPI, Nioxin and ghd. With 6,000 employees globally, presence in over 100 countries, Wella Company and its brands enable consumers to look, feel, and be their true selves. As innovators in the hair and nail industry, Wella Company empowers its people to delight consumers, inspire beauty professionals, engage communities, and deliver sustainable growth to its stakeholders.

For additional information about the Wella Company please visit www.wellacompany.com .

The Role

The Packaging Manager for internal and external innovation and business continuity on breadth of Hair products and brands. End-to-End ideation, development, qualification of innovative packaging solutions across our Hair Color, Care & Styling Brands internally and externally (e.g. with Third Party Manufacturers - TPM) with an NA focus. You will be a part of a passionate team who is at the forefront of delivering dynamic and cutting-edge packaging innovations.

Key Responsibilities

• Base Business Continuity (BCP): Support base business, including BCP efforts, efficiency projects, manufacturing technical transfers, and scouting for new suppliers/manufacturers and technologies.
• Innovation/Projects: Develop and qualify package innovations for our Hair brands, across different categories like care, styling, color, meeting design intent, performance, functionality, aesthetics, cost, scalability, manufacturability, timing, compliance, and quality requirements.
• Internal & External (TPM) focused: Own and drive projects & initiatives with internal and external partner.
• Sustainability Integration: Implement sustainable packaging practices (reduce, reuse, recycle) aligned with company initiatives and targets.
• Ownership & Agility: Independently handle multiple priorities with agility and resilience.
• Testing: Recommend and execute technical & consumer learning plans through all project gate stages for robust technical readiness and qualification.
• Hands On: Exhibit curiosity and hands-on mentality to connect with packages, conduct fit-for-use evaluations/testing, try new things, and solve problems with a can-do attitude.
• Collaboration & Communication: Seamlessly communicate and work with versatile stakeholders (e.g., R&D partners, Marketing, Design, Supply Chain, Procurement, Third Party Manufacturers, Suppliers, Initiative Managers).
• Digital & AI Savviness: Integrate digital, AI, and fast-package-development solutions to create future-proof package development approaches.

Minimum Qualifications

• University degree in Packaging Development & Technologies, Engineering, Industrial Design.
• 1-3 years of Package Development/Package Engineering experience (in FMCG industries & especially in Beauty / Hair category is preferred).
• Knowledge in packaging technologies and packaging development approaches.
• Fluency in English (written/oral) is mandatory. Any other language is a plus (e.g. Spanish/Portuguese).
• Strong analytical &problem-solving skills and entrepreneurial, agile, curious and hands-on spirit.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and operate independently in diverse teams and environments.
• Ability to travel :20% of your time to domestic or international destinations.
• Knowledge & experience of AI tools, probing/coding is fundamental.

Compensation

We disclose the compensation range for positions in compliance with local law. Actual salaries will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to location, experience, skills and in comparison to internal incumbents currently in similar roles. Pay Range: $90,000 - $120,000 salary per year. The range listed is just one component of Wella Company's total rewards package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonus plan or variable pay, depending on the role. In addition, Wella Company provides a rich variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance, life and disability insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, paid holidays and paid time off (PTO).

Notices

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, please email [e-mail] . This email account will not respond to inquiries regarding the status of a candidate’s application.

Wella participates in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States. Information regarding your rights: Know Your Rights and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.