Sr. Director, Global Structural Design and Packaging Sustainability (HYBRID)

Who We Are
Munchkin is one of the most innovative and fast-growing consumer product companies in the world! After 30 years of being a leader in the baby industry, Munchkin is growing up and expanding our business reach to even more consumers with the launch of Curio, a highly curated line of home products inspired by curiosity.
Founded in 1990, Munchkin has sold billions of dollars of products through our key retail partners: Target, Walmart and Amazon and has global distribution in over 45 countries. At Munchkin, we make world-class, award-winning products, and believe in only producing the safest ones on the market. We are industry leaders in design and innovation with over 140 international product and brand design awards in the past 5 years and growing! Munchkin has a world-class portfolio of over 300 patents and has recently averaged over 20 new patents per year.
We lead with our core values and believe that investing in the community is our responsibility. We create opportunities for every child's potential and well-being through the Radiant Colors program, work to create a sustainable future, and in partnership with the International Fund for Animal welfare have committed to animal conservation.
There is no better time than now to join Munchkin as we embark on our next and biggest growth journey moving us into technology focused, higher valued products, and household consumer goods. Munchkin is growing up and you could be the next influential leader to play a key role in driving enormous customer-centered value and join us on our journey toward rapid growth.
What You'll Do
We are looking to hire a Sr. Director of Global Structural Design and Packaging Sustainability based out of Munchkin's stunning Greater Los Angeles Headquarter office! Reporting to the Chief Brand Officer, you will support Munchkin's Mission to be the most loved global baby lifestyle brand by driving packaging strategies and ensuring brand packaging is developed to support the values of unrivaled quality, creativity, innovation, and commitment to sustainability objectives.
You will lead a team of world-class packaging engineers and production designers within the United States and Hong Kong to deliver smart & engaging experiences that reduce the environmental impact of packaging.
The essential job duties of this position include:

• Define and execute a packaging road map, development and brand strategy integration that drives best in class packaging for Munchkin from concept through production release, including packaging development, technology development, design for manufacturing, cost and reliability.
• Define and execute a sustainable packaging strategy to ensure increasingly sustainable practices and in alignment with Munchkin's sustainability goals.
• Lead creative packaging design aesthetic across packaging touchpoints. Drive elevated and on-brand packaging concepts and design new packages and/or improve existing packages for Munchkin products.
• Support the Strategic Management initiatives by managing all aspects of the development process and being a hands-on designer.
• Responsible for managing a team of global structural packaging engineers and production designers located in U.S. and Hong Kong.
• Oversee process of defining packaging requirements and translating marketing recommendations into realistic packaging specifications for all Munchkin products.
• Work closely with Brand, Marketing, Brand Design, Sales, Operations, Compliance, and Product Development teams to understand and subsequently translate through hands-on innovative designing the marketing and promotional strategy, messaging, and creative objectives into finished packages, and ensure optimal process flow from manufacture of components through filling and assembly.
• Drive innovation by presenting new packaging concepts, technologies and delivery systems to support new Marketing, Product Development and Design ideas.
• Manage projects through technical packaging to ensure design and construction meets all engineering requirements.
• Ensure all projects are completed and meet the intended design, quality, cost, functionality, and manufacturability objectives.
• Advise on new technologies both within and outside our industry in order to continuously evaluate best practice and support product innovation.
• Responsible for process improvement, quality management of product packaging, promotional packaging variations and displays.
• Responsible for establishing processes and procedures that ensure Munchkin continues to be an industry leader in packaging aesthetic, technology, and function.
• Work closely with product management, packaging vendors, manufacturing and supply chain to ensure packaging programs and projects reach completion on time and on budget. Develop detailed component timelines including all package development tasks and manage them. Ensure component production and filling/assembly are operating efficiently at optimal rate of production.
• Ensure that packages/components meet the needs of the Munchkin and regulatory and consumer safety standards.
• Approve package shape and size optimization based on retail partner shelf space constraints and efficient pallet pattern analysis.
• Establish workload priorities to ensure all projects are managed within expected due dates.
• Manage a team of global direct reports ensuring they are provided the necessary support and tools to succeed on the assigned task or project.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Bring it!

• Minimum of 15 plus years of packaging experience in the consumer products industry and BS in Packaging Science or Engineering.
• Minimum 10 years hands-on experience with 3D CAD/ ProEngineer/ProSurface/Illustrator experience preferred. Solidworks experience a plus.
• Minimum 10 years management experience
• Background in polymer science, packaging materials, degradable and compostable materials as well as deep technical expertise in global sustainable packaging strategy and sourcing programs
• Have an in-depth understanding of the marketing function and the retail-shopping environment.
• Possess a broad knowledge of packaging materials (including but not limited to paper, chip board, corrugated, plastic, foam) and structures for consumer products.
• Strong knowledge of and extensive working experience with package manufacturing processes, packaging machinery and rapid prototyping of packages.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams managing multiple projects.
• Superior problem solving and interpersonal communication skills with a proven ability to be an extremely flexible team member that can meet deadlines and excel in a fast-paced, demanding environment.
• Willing to travel up to 20%.

We Got You Covered!
As a Great Place to Work Certified™ company, we are committed to offering the best to our employees. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, vision, dental, and life coverages, wellness benefits, generous employer-matched 401(k) plan, bonuses, opportunities to earn equity, and much more. We focus on supporting employee development and growth.
We regularly hold social functions to foster a genuine camaraderie that enhances teamwork. At our company-wide award functions, we take time to recognize the talent and dedication of the people who make Munchkin the most loved baby lifestyle brand in the world.
We offer work-life balance benefits such as paid maternity and paternity leave, hybrid work schedules, and annual weeklong global office closures giving our people a chance to recharge!
Salary range: $180,000 - $200,000 annually.
To learn more, visit us at www.munchkin.com.
Munchkin embraces diversity and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.