Senior Director, Packaging Design

Coty; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Coty is seeking a Snr Director, Packaging Design – Color Cosmetics and Mass Scenting to lead packaging output from concept to DTO and R&D, aligning with brand DNA, consumer insights, and sustainability goals. The role collaborates with brand teams and tech packaging R&D to deliver consumer-first design that differentiates our beauty portfolio.

The ideal leader has 15+ years in packaging, 5+ years in senior leadership, with UK/EU/US experience and mastery of Adobe CC, 2D/3D visualization, and a

Qualifications

• Deep beauty expertise within mass color cosmetics with elevated aesthetic.
• Global operator (US/EU) with understanding of design market needs and stakeholder management.
• Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills; flawless execution.

Responsibilities

• Set the creative vision and long-term packaging design strategy for Color Cosmetics and Mass Scenting.
• Translate brand identity and consumer insights into packaging solutions.
• Champion innovation in materials, form, and function with sustainability focus.
• Lead packaging design creation with 2D and 3D renders.
• Partner with R&D, Marketing, Agile, and Sustainability teams to elevate consumer experience online, in-store, and on social platforms.
• Build, mentor, and inspire a small best-in-class packaging design team.
• Collaborate with third parties to bring fresh ideas and technical expertise.
• Lead competitive benchmarking and innovation scouting for leadership in packaging design.
• Serve as packaging thought leader in cross-functional discussions.
• Stay ahead of global design trends and consumer preferences.

Skills

Packaging design

Leadership

Adobe CC

2D/3D renders

Global market

Sustainability

Agile collaboration

Brand strategy

Tools

Adobe CC

Job description

About Coty

Coty is one of the world’s largest beauty companies with an iconic portfolio of brands across fragrance, color cosmetics, skin care and body care. COTY is the global leader in fragrance and number three in color cosmetics. COTY’s products are sold in over 150 countries around the world. COTY and its brands are committed to range of social causes as well as seeking to minimize its impact on the environment. For additional information about Coty Inc., please visit www.coty.com.

About Coty

Coty is one of the world’s largest beauty companies with an iconic portfolio of brands across fragrance, color cosmetics, skin care and body care. COTY is the global leader in fragrance and number three in color cosmetics. COTY’s products are sold in over 150 countries around the world. COTY and its brands are committed to range of social causes as well as seeking to minimize its impact on the environment. For additional information about Coty Inc., please visit www.coty.com.

MISSION

Reporting to the SVP Brand & Equity, the role of Snr Director, Packaging Design – Color Cosmetics and Mass Scenting will be fully responsible for the leadership of packaging output across our Color Cosmetics and Mass Scenting portfolio. CB has BIG ambitions for its packaging to create objects of desire and low COG’s. This role is pivotal to unlocking that ambition. This role will oversee the impeccable execution of Consumer Beauty packing design from product concept to DTO (design turnover) to R&D technical packaging, defining the aesthetic and functional identity of our products while ensuring alignment with brand DNA, consumer insights, sustainability goals, and market trends. The role works hand in hand with brand teams and tech packaging R&D. Much of the work is design to cost, hence a strong working relationship with the technical side of the business is critical. This role requires a bold, forward-thinking leader, driving packaging innovation that enhances the consumer experience and helps differentiate our brands in a competitive beauty landscape – creating consumer-first design solutions that push boundaries and set new trends.

THE ROLE

Responsibilities:

• Work in partnership with SVP Brand & Equity to set the creative vision and long-term packaging design strategy for the Color Cosmetics and Mass Scenting portfolio.
• Translate brand identity and consumer insights into compelling and trend-setting packaging solutions, whilst fulfilling commercial objectives.
• In partnership with R&D, Champion innovation in materials, form, and function with a strong focus on sustainability.
• Lead packaging design creation, with capability to bring ideas to life in 2D and 3D renders.
• Partner with R&D, Marketing, Agile, and Sustainability teams as well as key stakeholders across the business to ensure packaging elevates the consumer experience online, in-store, and across social platforms.
• Build, mentor, and inspire a small, nimble, best-in-class packaging design team. There are two/three dedicated members of the design team currently.
• Partner with third parties outside of Coty to bring fresh ideas and technical expertise, when necessary
• Lead competitive benchmarking and innovation scouting to ensure strong leadership in packaging design.
• Serve as the packaging thought leader in cross-functional discussions, championing innovation and consumer-first design.
• Stay ahead of global design trends, consumer preferences, and materials.

What You’ll Bring

Knowledge and Experience:

• Deep beauty expertise within in the mass color cosmetics category, with an emphasis on an elevated aesthetic.
• Global operator (US and EU) - sensitive with a strong understanding of design market needs – an experienced operator with ability to manage the healthy tension between key stakeholders, globally.
• Exceptional creative vision with the ability to merge design innovation and business strategy.
• Strong knowledge of packaging materials, manufacturing processes, and sustainability practices.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Insistent on flawless exquisite execution of work - not ‘just ok’.
• Ability to work in agile way, managing multiple complex workstreams simultaneously. Will need to roll sleeves up and get involved.
• Capable and comfortable dealing with wider teams on the complex and ever-changing demands of the day-to-day business with patience and adaptability.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Required skills

• 15+ years relevant experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role
• Well versed in UK/EU/US Color Cosmetics.
• Excellent Adobe CC (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) skills. 2D and 3D visualisations.
• Digitally literate and culturally plugged in.
• Able to travel, globally.

CONCLUDING

You’ll get to work in a diverse and environment with a team who are passionate about the work they do and know how to have some fun along the way. Our people make us who we are. They are the brightest minds bringing the boldest ideas to life every day. If you’re the kind of person who refuses to settle, if you want to think bigger, learn faster and go further than you ever thought possible – we’d love to hear from you.