Manager, Packaging Engineering and Sustainability

Essential 

As the Manager of Packaging Engineering & Sustainability, you will lead the technical packaging development for both existing and new product development projects at Ritual. Your work will help us meet our packaging goals that ensure the integrity of our formulas while adhering to our strict sustainability guidelines. This role requires excellent project management skills, proactive communication with cross-functional teams, and technical expertise in managing large data sets. You will also advise on technical packaging feasibility and sustainability considerations. The role includes approximately 10% travel to visit contract manufacturers, packaging suppliers, and distribution centers.

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• Collaborative Packaging Development: Partner with Brand, Creative, Quality, R&D, and Operations teams to select packaging that meets our brand standards, ensures product stability, fits into our omni-channel distribution, and aligns with cost and production timelines.
• Separation Management: Create, manage, and maintain packaging specifications including materials, dimensions, and performance measures. Contribute to all label artwork, pack-out instructions, case pack configurations, and shipper plans.
• Cross Functional Leadership: Serve as the technical packaging leader within cross-functional project teams (e.g., Operations, R&D, Quality, Sales, Creative, Marketing, external partners).

• Champion Innovation: Lead innovation opportunities within the business from concept development to finished goods execution.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement packaging improvements for efficacy, market leadership, and sustainability.
• Support New Product Development: Work closely with Product Development to evaluate product and packaging stability, which may include traveling to contract manufacturers for packaging line trials.

• Testing Proficiency: Use general packaging lab equipment(e.g., drop tester, Magna-Mike, Induction sealer, vacuum chamber, Instron, etc.) to develop and conduct packaging tests evaluating durability, safety, and performance under various conditions.
• Impact Assessments: Perform packaging component, equipment, and process impact assessments and audits.

• Lifecycle Assessments: Manage the creation of Lifecycle Assessments (LCAs) through Compass and supply data across departments for decision-making and marketing claims.
• Claim Due Diligence: Lead packaging-related claim due diligence and collaborate with Regulatory for approval, substantiation, and use across marketing channels.
• Quality Investigations: Lead investigations into product/packaging quality to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Regulatory Compliance: Stay updated on relevant packaging regulations and provide compliance plans.

• Coordination & Management: Manage packaging requirements for manufacturers, including finished goods/packaging documentation and management of packaging line trials at development and commercial stages.

• Communicator. You write well, understand the power of storytelling, and can parse through the numbers to uncover the story within. 
• Analytical. Data informs you. You understand how to utilize qualitative information to support impactful decisions.
• Technical Curiosity and Creative Solutions. You believe in continuous learning and improvement, bringing innovative solutions into product launches and continuous programs (e.g., cost savings and sustainability). 
• Quality Control: You put product integrity and quality standards at the forefront.  

• Education: Packaging Technology/Science, Engineering or equivalent BS degree required.
• Experience: 4 or more years of responsibility in the consumer packaging good space. High preference for food/supplement and/or personal care experience. 
• Knowledgeable with TOPs/CAPE pallet software, material science and sustainability, manufacturing, 3D CAD software, Life Cycle Assessment software, general statistical software, and Windows.  

• PAY RANGE:  90K- 140K
• Your base salary is one part of your total compensation package. The salary range represents the entire compensation range for this position. Exact compensation will depend on a number of factors, which may include the successful candidate's skills, level, years of experience, technical expertise, and other qualifications. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. This role is also eligible for equity + generous benefits + 401k + unlimited PTO etc - see our list of perks/ benefits below. 

• 401k Match - Up to 4%
• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Healthcare & Dependent Care FSA
• 20 Weeks of 100% paid Parental Leave + 4 weeks of flex time upon return for birthing people
• Talkspace access for mental health support 
• Pet Insurance discount
• Unlimited PTO Policy - 2 weeks (10 days) minimum to keep you fresh
• 11 paid holidays
• 7 additional paid days off around holidays
• 12 “Fourth Fridays” off - Days the entire company takes off each month to recharge
• 4 “Ritual Days of Action” - Days the entire company volunteers
• Focus Fridays - No meeting days to focus on heads-down work and development
• Free Ritual Products
• Annual Wellness stipend
• Monthly Childcare stipend
• New hire Work from Home stipend
• Bi-Annual Performance Reviews
• Bi-Annual in-person company events
• Monthly wellness activities