Sr. Packaging Development Manager

About the role

Infinity Global is looking for a Senior Packaging Development Manager based in our Paris office to lead technical packaging development for luxury retail programs and to serve as the technical backbone of our European Product Development team. This role combines hands-on technical expertise in packaging materials, structural design, and manufacturing processes.

You will work closely across sourcing, quality, account management, and supplier partners, and will need the interpersonal skills to be quickly trusted and accepted within cross-functional teams. You will also act as a technical point of contact for select clients on specifications, feasibility, and quality matters, supporting account and project managers with technical expertise.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Product Development

• Lead packaging technical development from concept through production for luxury retail programs, ensuring structural integrity, manufacturability, and quality.
• Evaluate and recommend materials, structures, and manufacturing processes suited to client requirements, sustainability goals, and cost targets.
• Troubleshoot technical issues arising during sampling, prototyping, and production start-up, partnering with suppliers to resolve them quickly.
• Build a culture of technical knowledge-sharing and continuous learning across the NPD function.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with sourcing, quality, account management, and production teams to ensure technically sound, well-coordinated program execution.
• Build genuine working relationships across departments; be viewed as an accessible, collaborative, and trusted technical resource by cross-functional colleagues.
• Coordinate with global suppliers and manufacturing partners on technical specifications and development timelines.

Client & Technical Liaison

• Act as a technical point of contact for key clients on packaging specifications, feasibility, and quality standards.
• Support account managers with technical input during client discussions, program reviews, and new business pitches.
• Translate complex technical information into clear, actionable guidance for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure packaging components meet regulatory, environmental, and international compliance standards. (PPWR/EUDR/FSC/ZDHC/…)
• Lead root cause and corrective action (RCA/CAPA) reviews for technical or quality issues identified during development or production start-up.
• Contribute to process documentation and standardization initiatives for technical development practices.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong technical grounding in packaging materials, structural design, and manufacturing processes, gained through formal education (e.g., packaging engineering) and/or hands-on field experience.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and rapport quickly across cross-functional teams; strong interpersonal, collaborative, and communication skills.
• A genuine enthusiasm for mentoring, coaching, and knowledge-sharing; patient in explaining technical concepts to non-technical colleagues.
• Analytical and detail-oriented, comfortable using data to guide technical decisions and track quality/development KPIs.
• Comfortable working across cultures, time zones, and functions, coordinating between European clients, global suppliers, and internal teams.
• Completes all tasks with a high degree of accuracy, attention to detail, and follow-up.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Materials Science, Industrial Design, or a related technical field, or equivalent hands-on field experience in technical packaging development.
• 8+ years of experience in packaging product development, with demonstrated technical depth in materials and manufacturing processes; luxury paper/rigid box packaging experience strongly preferred, textile packaging experience a plus.
• Prior experience mentoring, training, or leading junior team members.
• Experience working with luxury retail, fashion brands, or premium packaging suppliers highly desirable.
• Fluent English mandatory; French and/or other European languages a plus, Mandarin Chinese is a plus
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); familiarity with CAD or packaging design/development software a plus.
• Willingness to travel as required to supplier, manufacturing, and client sites across Europe and Asia, expected 1-2 times a month.

WHY JOIN US

• Shape the technical standards and training culture of a growing European Product Development team
• Work with global luxury retail brands on high-visibility packaging programs
• Play a hands-on role in developing the technical skills of colleagues across NPD
• Collaborate with international teams and manufacturing partners

PERKS AND BENEFITS

We believe our employees are our most important asset. Infinity Global offers competitive salaries and values employees with a diversified benefits package, fun company outings, and in-office perks. Our perks and benefits include: 33 days annual leave (25 statutory + 8 RTT), 50/50 employer/employee supplementary health insurance, 50/50 meal vouchers, Wellpass subscription.