Senior Manager, Packaging Development
- $122,000–$158,000 per year
About the role
WHO WE ARE.
Glossier is a people-powered ecosystem, brought to life by engaging online and offline experiences. In 12 years, we have built an iconic brand that goes far beyond beauty. Our brand is built on trusted emotional connection, empathy, and consistency in how we show up for people every day. We are woven into everyday moments of people’s lives, becoming part of their routines, their self-expression, and their confidence. We are defined not just by what we make, but by how we make people feel and the relationships we build over time. Our north-star values are to be Human, Curious, Playful, and Helpful. We are driven by a shared mission to become the Most Loved Lifestyle Brand in the World.
THE FORMULA.
We’re looking for a Senior Manager, Packaging Development to bring thoughtful design, technical expertise, and operational discipline to the packaging our community reaches for every day.
As part of our Product Development team, you’ll own packaging development across a portfolio of programs spanning color cosmetics, skincare, sets, and fragrance. From translating creative concepts into manufacturable components to improving the packaging already in our customers’ hands, you’ll help ensure every detail delivers on the Glossier experience.
You’re an experienced packaging professional who can move confidently between the big picture and the technical details. You know how to assess feasibility, anticipate risks, challenge assumptions, and guide partners toward practical solutions. You bring structure to complex work and take pride in making both products and processes better. You’ll partner closely with Product Development, Creative, Marketing, Project Management, Supply Chain, Sourcing, and Quality, along with packaging suppliers and contract manufacturers.
BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER.
Packaging Development & Technical Ownership
- Own packaging development from concept and feasibility through tooling, qualification, commercialization, and launch across assigned new products, reformulations, seasonal programs, and existing product improvements in color cosmetics, skincare, and fragrance.
- Translate creative direction and product requirements into packaging solutions that balance customer experience, functionality, quality, cost, sustainability, and manufacturing capabilities.
- Lead technical feasibility assessments, evaluating materials, component construction, dispensing systems, tooling, assembly, development timelines, and production requirements.
- Establish packaging specifications, critical dimensions, tolerances, and performance requirements; review technical drawings and guide suppliers through development and approval.
- Lead packaging risk assessments and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), partnering with Product Development and Quality to establish appropriate compatibility, stability, transit, and performance testing.
- Evaluate test results, recommend technical solutions, and resolve packaging issues throughout development, scale-up, and production.
- Oversee component, artwork, proof, color standard, and range board approvals, ensuring alignment with approved specifications and design intent.
Program Execution & Supplier Partnership
- Independently manage multiple complex packaging programs, maintaining clear development plans, milestones, dependencies, and approval requirements.
- Serve as the primary packaging technical partner for suppliers and contract manufacturers, setting clear expectations and holding partners accountable for development deliverables.
- Identify risks early, communicate implications clearly, and recommend solutions that protect launch timing, quality, and agreed cost objectives.
- Lead packaging development reviews and communicate progress, decisions, and issues requiring escalation to cross-functional partners.
- Partner with Sourcing and Supply Chain to assess supplier capabilities, tooling proposals, lead times, and cost tradeoffs.
- Support tooling trials, line trials, and initial production runs, confirming packaging performs as intended under manufacturing conditions.
Process Improvement & Portfolio Optimization
- Strengthen packaging development workflows, introducing practical tools, templates, and checkpoints that improve consistency, accountability, and speed.
- Own the accuracy and completeness of packaging specifications, component records, and bills of materials within Specright, establishing clear documentation and change-control practices.
- Identify opportunities to improve existing packaging through component standardization, material changes, manufacturing efficiencies, cost optimization, and quality improvements.
- Partner with Quality and suppliers on root-cause investigations and corrective actions for packaging issues, incorporating lessons learned into future development.
- Maintain an organized packaging reference library, including approved standards, supplier capabilities, materials, and emerging technologies.
- Evaluate packaging innovations and sustainability opportunities, recommending applications that are technically sound and relevant to Glossier’s products and priorities.
Technical Leadership & Collaboration
- Act as a trusted packaging subject matter expert, helping cross-functional partners understand technical considerations and make informed decisions.
- Guide and mentor colleagues through technical reviews, troubleshooting, and knowledge sharing.
- Bring a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to competing priorities, making clear recommendations and escalating decisions at the right time.
- Build strong working relationships across internal teams and external partners, creating shared accountability for successful execution.
WHAT YOU BRING TO THE MIX.
- 7+ years of progressive experience in packaging development or packaging engineering, including substantial experience in prestige beauty.
- Demonstrated expertise across color cosmetics, skincare, and fragrance packaging, with an understanding of the distinct technical and performance requirements of each category.
- A track record of independently leading complex packaging programs from concept through commercialization, including custom components and tooling.
- Strong technical knowledge of primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging materials, manufacturing processes, decoration methods, dispensing systems, and assembly, including fragrance bottles, pumps, collars, and closures.
- Experience reviewing engineering drawings, specifications, dimensional tolerances, tooling designs, and component performance requirements.
- Working knowledge of packaging qualification methods, including compatibility, functionality, transit testing, and manufacturing line validation.
- Experience leading technical problem-solving with suppliers and contract manufacturers, including root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple programs, anticipate dependencies, and communicate tradeoffs clearly.
- A demonstrated ability to improve development processes and identify opportunities to enhance quality, efficiency, and cost.
- Experience maintaining packaging specifications, bills of materials, and change records in a PLM or specification management system; Specright experience is a plus.
- The ability to influence cross-functional decisions and mentor others through technical expertise and collaborative leadership.
- A bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
- Familiarity with CAD software, SolidWorks, rapid prototyping, and 3D printing is a plus.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required for supplier meetings, development trials, and production support.
In accordance with applicable law, the following represents a good faith estimate of the minimum and maximum compensation range for this position:
- The estimated annual pay range for this role is$122,000 - $158,000 per year.
- Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s experience, skills, qualifications, and location, and the final offer will reflect the totality of the candidate’s background.
- There may be future opportunities for continued pay progression based on continued strong performance in the role.
- Full time positions are also eligible for a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes medical health insurance, 401K, Paid Time Off, Short Term and Long Term Disability leave, and a range of other benefits.
- Learn more at the Glossier Career page.
Compensation for the role will be determined based on permissible, nondiscriminatory factors such as a candidate’s qualifications, skills, and experience.
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We are an Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) Employer. It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of Glossier not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, partnership status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, caregiver status, unemployment status or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignment, benefits, layoff, and termination.
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