Packaging Manager

Role Overview

Work Arrangement

• The position is described as fully remote in the United Arab Emirates.
• The source lists the employment type as full-time and the level as mid-level to senior-level.

Packaging Leadership and Development

• Lead the packaging function and establish packaging strategies, standards, specifications, processes, governance, and technical documentation.
• Manage packaging development from concept through commercialization, testing, validation, production launch, and post-launch optimization.
• Translate product, customer, distribution, and operational requirements into primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging specifications.
• Review packaging designs, drawings, prototypes, samples, artwork, labels, markings, barcodes, and regulatory information.
• Optimize materials, dimensions, structures, closures, protective components, cost, sustainability, manufacturability, and product protection.

Testing, Quality, and Suppliers

• Coordinate packaging trials, pilot runs, testing protocols, acceptance criteria, laboratory testing, transportation testing, validation, and production-release approval.
• Investigate packaging failures, defects, complaints, returns, and non-conformities; lead root-cause analysis and corrective and preventive actions.
• Support supplier qualification, sourcing, audits, negotiations, technical proposals, performance monitoring, KPIs, improvement plans, and supply continuity.
• Establish packaging quality standards, inspection criteria, incoming-quality requirements, and supplier-quality requirements.

Cost and Performance

• Develop project plans, milestones, budgets, resources, deliverables, risk mitigation, and launch-readiness controls.
• Analyze material, conversion, tooling, printing, logistics, and total packaging costs and identify reduction opportunities.
• Track packaging, quality, supplier, launch, efficiency, inventory, transportation, compliance, and sustainability KPIs.

Candidate Qualifications

• Proven experience managing packaging development and optimization is required.
• Candidates should have strong knowledge of packaging materials, structures, formats, manufacturing processes, testing, validation, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Experience with packaging suppliers, technical sourcing, cost drivers, value engineering, logistics, palletization, warehousing, transportation, manufacturing, and packaging-line operations is required.
• A relevant degree in packaging engineering, materials science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, product development, manufacturing, or a related discipline is required.

Additional Skills

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and strong project-management, analytical, problem-solving, communication, supplier-management, negotiation, and stakeholder-management capabilities are required.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, sustainable packaging, packaging legislation, CAD, 3D modeling, digital prototyping, ERP, PLM, or packaging-management systems is advantageous or desirable.
• Professional packaging certification, UAE/GCC market knowledge, and Arabic proficiency are advantageous.