DescriptionThe Director, Global Packaging Development is a senior organizational leader responsible for leading Packaging Development across an assigned category and supporting one or more global brands. This role is accountable for building a high-performing Packaging Development organization that consistently delivers innovative, consumer-centric packaging solutions aligned with brand strategy, business priorities, and operational excellence.
The Director leads a team of Packaging Development professionals while establishing technical direction, portfolio priorities, organizational capability, and resource strategies that enable successful commercialization across the category. This role creates an environment where innovation, technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement become organizational strengths rather than individual accomplishments.
The Director partners closely with Brand Leadership, Marketing, Design, Product Development, R&I;, Brand Value Chain (BVC), Global Supplier Management (GSM), Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, Sustainability, Material Science, Package Testing, and supplier partners to align Packaging Development strategy with category objectives.
ResponsibilitiesIndependently Responsible ForCategory Packaging Development strategy executionOrganizational prioritiesTeam resource allocationLeadership developmentPortfolio prioritizationTechnical governanceOrganizational capability initiativesPerformance management of direct reportsInfluencesCategory business strategyInnovation investment prioritiesOrganizational designSupplier strategyCommercialization planningSustainability strategyTechnology adoptionEnterprise Packaging Development initiativesEscalatesEnterprise organizational decisionsMajor capital investmentsSignificant business risksStrategic supplier partnershipsCross-category resource conflictsEnterprise-level commercialization issuesLeadership MindsetLead Teams. Shape Culture. Deliver the Business.
Directors understand that organizational performance is created through leadership, not individual contribution.
They establish vision, build capability, remove barriers, develop future leaders, and create an environment where technical excellence and innovation thrive.
Directors lead with transparency, accountability, commercial thinking, and executive presence while continuously aligning Packaging Development with evolving consumer expectations, business priorities, and organizational strategy.
They recognize that their success is measured not only by the projects they personally lead, but by the strength of the organization they build.
Brand & Business LeadershipDirectors translate category strategy into Packaging Development execution.
Lead Packaging Development for an assigned category supporting one or more global brands.
Develop packaging strategies that support category growth, innovation, commercialization, and long-term brand equity.
Align Packaging Development priorities with business objectives, consumer expectations, sustainability commitments, manufacturing capability, and financial performance.
Partner closely with R&I; on new product forms and innovations as well as the Packaging Inspiration lab to assist in thought provoking sessions for new packaging concepts and designs.
Serve as the senior Packaging Development representative within category leadership discussions.
Balance innovation, quality, manufacturability, speed to market, investment, sustainability,



and total cost of ownership across the category portfolio.
Establish Packaging Development priorities that maximize business value and organizational effectiveness.
Innovation & Technical StrategyDirectors shape the innovation strategy that enables future business growth.
Develop category packaging innovation roadmaps in partnership with Brand Leadership, Design, Product Development, R&I;, and suppliers.
Promote simultaneous product and package development to reduce commercialization timelines while protecting brand identity.
Guide strategic decisions regarding materials, manufacturing platforms, dispensing technologies, sustainability, refillability, supplier capabilities, and commercialization strategies.
Encourage innovation that strengthens consumer experience while improving operational efficiency and business performance.
Utilize AI-enabled technologies to improve innovation evaluation, competitive benchmarking, technical research, strategic planning, portfolio visibility, and executive decision support.
Build strong partnerships with Packaging Innovation and R&I; organizations to accelerate current technology adoption.
Category & Portfolio LeadershipDirectors oversee the execution of Packaging Development across an entire category.
Establish category portfolio priorities aligned with business strategy.
Balance organizational resources across brands, innovation initiatives, business priorities, and commercialization requirements.
Monitor portfolio health including technical risk, commercialization readiness, supplier perf

📌 Director, Packaging Development, Skincare (Winnipeg)
🏢 The Estée Lauder Companies
📍 Winnipeg