R&D Packaging Lead — Innovation & Sustainability (Hybrid)

Wella Operations US LLC; Morris Plains, Northern (NJ, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid holidays and PTO

Disability and life insurance

Job summary

Wella Company in Morris Plains, NJ, seeks an R&D Packaging Development Manager to lead end-to-end packaging ideation, development, and qualification for Hair products. You will coordinate with TPMs and internal teams to meet performance, cost, and quality targets.

The role emphasizes base business continuity, innovative packaging projects, and sustainability integration, with a strong focus on digital and AI-enabled development approaches.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level degree in Packaging Development/Technologies, Engineering, or Industrial Design.
• 1–3 years of Package Development/Package Engineering experience in FMCG, beauty/hair preferred.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with an entrepreneurial, agile mindset.
• Willingness to travel ~20% domestically or internationally.
• Knowledge and experience with AI tools, probing/coding is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Base Business Continuity (BCP) support and efficiency projects.
• Develop and qualify packaging innovations across Hair brands and categories.
• Own and drive projects with internal and TPM partners.
• Implement sustainable packaging practices aligned with company goals.
• Manage multiple priorities with agility and resilience.
• Design and execute technical and consumer learning plans through project gates.
• Collaborate with R&D, Marketing, Design, Supply Chain, Procurement, and TPM teams.

Skills

English fluency

Analytical thinking

Hands-on

Team collaboration

AI tools familiarity

Education

Packaging/Engineering degree

Tools

AI tools

Probing/Coding

Job description

Wella Company in Morris Plains, NJ, seeks an R&D Packaging Development Manager to lead end-to-end packaging ideation, development, and qualification for Hair products. You will coordinate with TPMs and internal teams to meet performance, cost, and quality targets.

The role emphasizes base business continuity, innovative packaging projects, and sustainability integration, with a strong focus on digital and AI-enabled development approaches.