Packaging Project Manager / Package Designer

Industry: Manufacturing & Production
Job Category: Manufacturing
Location: Sterling, VA
Employment Type: Full-Time
Seniority: Mid-Senior Level
Salary: $80,000 – $90,000 per year
Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
Travel: Occasional
Security Clearance: Not Required
Visa Sponsorship: Not Available

About the Organization

Our organization is a leading provider in the food solutions industry, focused on delivering high-quality products through innovation, operational excellence, and strong supply chain capabilities. We value collaboration, continuous improvement, and efficient processes that enable successful product development and market implementation.

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced Packaging Project Manager / Package Designer to manage the complete packaging development lifecycle, from initial concept and development through testing, validation, supplier coordination, and production implementation.

The successful candidate will serve as the primary point of contact for packaging initiatives and collaborate closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Procurement, Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, Regulatory Affairs, and external suppliers.

This position focuses on packaging project management, operational execution, supplier coordination, compliance, cost management, testing, and production support rather than graphic design or marketing.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage packaging projects from initial development through production implementation.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for packaging-related projects and initiatives.
• Develop and manage project schedules, milestones, priorities, timelines, and deliverables.
• Coordinate packaging activities across Engineering, Manufacturing, Procurement, Quality, Supply Chain, and Regulatory teams.
• Manage relationships and project activities with external packaging suppliers and vendors.
• Provide regular project status updates to leadership and key stakeholders.
• Coordinate packaging testing, validation, qualification, and production readiness activities.
• Ensure packaging solutions meet quality, regulatory, cost, and manufacturing requirements.
• Support packaging material selection, supplier coordination, and production implementation.
• Track project costs and identify opportunities for cost optimization.
• Identify project risks, issues, and dependencies and drive timely resolution.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to packaging processes and materials.
• Maintain project documentation, specifications, schedules, and implementation records.
• Coordinate with manufacturing teams to ensure successful packaging launches and transitions into production.
• Manage multiple packaging projects simultaneously in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Required Qualifications

• Experience in packaging development, packaging operations, packaging engineering, or packaging project management.
• Strong project management, coordination, and organizational skills.
• Experience working with packaging suppliers, manufacturers, engineering teams, and quality organizations.
• Understanding of packaging testing, validation, compliance, and production implementation.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment.
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within food, consumer products, manufacturing, or CPG environments.
• Familiarity with packaging materials, specifications, suppliers, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience supporting new product introductions and packaging changes.
• Knowledge of packaging quality and regulatory requirements.
• Experience with cost reduction and packaging optimization initiatives.
• Familiarity with project management tools and documentation systems.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external vendors.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands-on packaging project professional who can manage projects from development through production, coordinate multiple stakeholders and suppliers, resolve issues quickly, and ensure packaging solutions meet quality, cost, compliance, timeline, and manufacturing requirements.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $80,000 – $90,000 annually
• Full-time position
• Full benefits package
• Occasional travel
• Relocation assistance: Not available
• Commission: None
• Bonus: None
• Overtime eligible: No
• Interview travel reimbursement: No