Manager Product Development – Label and Packaging

Job Summary

The Manager, Label & Packaging Product Development will build and develop JML's Label & Packaging product portfolio, taking physical and digitally enabled products from concept and sampling through testing, customer approval and scalable production. The role requires strong label and packaging expertise, together with practical knowledge of digital identification and Digital Product Passport (DPP) solutions.

Key Responsibilities

1.   Product Development & Innovation

• Build and evolve a commercially relevant range across woven and printed labels, care/size labels, heat transfers, hangtags, stickers, packaging, RFID and digitally enabled identification solutions.

• Own end-to-end development from concept, material/process selection and sampling through testing, costing, commercialization, and bulk production.

• Develop samples and prototypes, balancing design, quality, performance, manufacturability, sustainability and cost.

• Identify product-range gaps, new materials, technologies and market opportunities, using competitor and industry benchmarking to strengthen the customer offering.

• Drive standardized development processes, documentation, lead-time improvement and scalable production practices.

2.   DPP & Digital Identification

• Develop solutions using QR, Data Matrix, NFC and RFID and understand their appropriate applications, benefits and limitations.

• Understand DPP architecture, including physical carriers, unique identification/serialization, product data, digital platforms, system interfaces and end-user experience.

• Work with customers and technology partners to define practical solutions considering durability, cost, security, scalability and user experience.

3.   Technical, Quality & Compliance

• Create and maintain technical specifications, product standards and the JML Label & Packaging product library.

• Apply strong knowledge of label and packaging materials, printing, weaving, and related manufacturing processes.

• Ensure products meet customer performance, testing, quality and applicable international labelling/packaging requirements.

• Partner with Quality and production teams to assess risk, resolve technical issues and implement root-cause/corrective actions.

4.   Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Translate customer and brand requirements into differentiated, technically credible and commercially scalable product solutions.

• Proactively develop concepts, samples, technical recommendations and presentations to support customer meetings, and new business opportunities.

• Work cross-functionally with Product Creation, Sales, Global Quality, Production, and Supply Chain teams.

• Establish scalable processes and best practices and as the business grows, support recruitment and leadership of a specialist Label & Packaging team.

Qualifications & Skills

• 7+ years of progressive experience in label, packaging, trim or product identification development, preferably within apparel, footwear, textile or consumer products.

• Proven experience taking products from concept and sample development through testing, commercialization and bulk production.

• Practical experience with QR, Data Matrix, NFC and UHF/RAIN RFID; DPP, connected-product, traceability or digital identification experience strongly preferred.

• Strong knowledge of label/packaging materials, manufacturing processes, technical specifications, testing and international labeling requirements.

• Ability to translate technical capabilities into clear customer and commercial solutions and communicate effectively across technical, commercial and leadership audiences.

• Strong project management, problem-solving, and cross-functional leadership skills.

• Bilingual English and Chinese communication skills (written and spoken).

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline preferred; equivalent relevant industry experience will be considered.

• Familiarity with sustainability, circular design, recycled materials and responsible sourcing.