Packaging Development Manager Location: Caldwell, NJ | Remote Flexibility Employment Type: Direct Hire | Full-Time Compensation: $110,000–$130,000 base Travel: Approximately 20–30%
If you enjoy turning packaging ideas into technically sound, manufacturable solutions - from concept and structural design through testing and production - this opportunity offers the chance to make an immediate impact while helping build a growing packaging development function.
CornerStone Professional Placement is seeking a Packaging Development Manager for a growing manufacturing and packaging organization. This newly created role will lead packaging development and innovation for customer projects, partnering closely with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to bring packaging concepts from initial idea through validation and implementation.
The ideal candidate combines hands-on technical packaging design expertise with creativity, commercial awareness, and strong customer-facing communication skills.
Responsibilities
• Lead packaging development projects from concept and ideation through validation and implementation.
• Create, review, and modify 2D/CAD packaging designs, technical drawings, dielines, and structural concepts.
• Work directly with customers to understand packaging requirements, present and recommend design concepts, explain technical and commercial tradeoffs, and guide solutions through customer approval.
• Support new business opportunities and customer proposals by providing packaging concepts, technical recommendations, and design expertise in partnership with Sales and Operations.
• Develop solutions that balance design, functionality, manufacturability, quality, and cost.
• Support prototypes, packaging testing, validation, and production readiness.
• Develop complex packaging solutions involving multiple components and materials.
• Manage multiple packaging development projects simultaneously.
• Partner cross-functionally with commercial, operations, engineering, procurement, and project teams.
• Identify technical challenges and recommend packaging or process improvements.
Qualifications
• 3+ years of packaging development, packaging engineering, structural packaging design, or related experience; 5+ years preferred.
• Hands-on CAD/2D packaging design experience; ArtiosCAD or comparable software preferred.
• Experience developing packaging from concept through production.
• Experience with technical drawings, structural packaging, materials, and manufacturability.
• Knowledge of packaging testing and validation methods, including ISTA, drop, vibration, and/or compression testing.
• Experience working directly with packaging suppliers and vendors.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with customers, presenting packaging solutions, influencing design decisions, and collaborating with Sales, Operations, and suppliers.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and thrive in a growing environment.
• Ability to travel approximately 20–30%, including occasional international travel.
Preferred experience includes beauty/personal care, holiday or promotional packaging, gift sets, corrugated packaging, CPG, and complex multi-component packaging. These are preferences rather than requirements. Why Candidates Like This Role • Competitive base salary of $110,000–$130,000.
• Newly created position with the opportunity to help shape a growing packaging development function.
• High visibility across packaging innovation, technical design, customers, suppliers, and commercialization.
• Opportunity to work on creative and technically complex packaging projects.
• Long-term growth potential as the packaging development function expands.
Additional Details Schedule: Monday–Friday | Full-Time Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package available. Travel: Approximately 20–30% based on business and project needs. Location: Caldwell, NJ preferred, with remote flexibility available based on experience.