Vice President, Packaging - Beauty at the-talent-project.com – Central , New Jersey

About The Talent Project:The Talent Project is a female owned and lead executive search firm specializing in marketing, creative and supply chain roles for the beauty, wellness & longevity industries. We offer end-to-end recruitment support for full-time direct-hire positions as well as retained executive searches. With deep experience leading corporate recruitment, we operate as an extension of our client's talent acquisition team, ensuring a seamless and strategic hiring process.
Company Description: Our client is a founder-led beauty company redefining modern beauty across fragrance, skincare, and makeup. Built on a strong foundation of innovation, the brand blends advanced formulations with thoughtful design to create products that elevate everyday rituals.
Driven by a commitment to sustainability, quality, and excellence, our client ensures that every product delivers exceptional performance while being developed with responsibility and intention. By combining artistry with science, the company continues to push boundaries and set new standards within the beauty industry.
About the role: The Vice President of Packaging Development & Engineering is a hands-on, strategic leader responsible for building and scaling the packaging function across a growing beauty portfolio. This role owns the end-to-end development of packaging—from concept through commercialization—driving innovation, speed to market, and best-in-class execution.
As a key member of the leadership team, this individual will shape packaging strategy in a highly collaborative, fast-moving environment—balancing creativity with technical feasibility, cost, and sustainability. This is a highly visible role that partners closely across product development, brand, operations, and supply chain to bring new ideas to life quickly and effectively.
The Vice President will build and lead a lean, high-impact team, establish strong global supplier partnerships, and create scalable processes that support rapid growth. The ideal candidate thrives in an entrepreneurial environment, brings deep expertise in beauty or personal care packaging, and is energized by solving complex challenges while creating innovative, brand-defining solutions.
Key Responsibilities: Packaging Development & Engineering

• Lead end-to-end packaging development across categories from concept through commercialization.
• Drive execution across multiple programs, ensuring speed, quality, and cost targets are met.
• Resolve technical challenges and implement scalable processes, tools, and standards.
• Partner cross-functionally to align on timelines, costs, and risk mitigation.

Strategy

• Define and execute the packaging innovation roadmap, including sustainability and new technologies.
• Recommend solutions that enhance brand, consumer experience, and cost efficiency.
• Advise on feasibility, risks, and trade-offs to support decision-making.
• Build and manage global supplier partnerships to optimize performance and innovation.

Leadership

• Lead and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of ownership and innovation.
• Contribute to company strategy as a key leadership team member.
• Serve as the packaging expert in internal and client-facing environments.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 15 -20 years' experience in packaging development, engineering, within beauty
• Bachelor's Degree in Packaging Engineering or Development
• 10+ years of packaging development experience within beauty, personal care, or a related consumer category.
• Proven leadership experience, with a track record of building and developing high-performing teams.
• Deep technical expertise in packaging engineering, including materials, components, and manufacturing processes.
• End-to-end product development experience, from concept through commercialization and scale-up.
• Experience operating in fast-paced, high-growth or startup environments, with the ability to drive speed to market.
• Strong strategic mindset, with the ability to define innovation roadmaps and align with brand and business goals.
• Expertise in sustainable packaging solutions, including materials, sourcing, and regulatory considerations.
• Established global supplier network and vendor management experience, including negotiation and performance management.
• Exceptional cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders across product, operations, and marketing.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with a hands-on approach to navigating technical and operational challenges.

Please note: due to the high volume of submissions, we may not be able to respond to every applicant individually. However, if your background aligns with the opportunity, a member of our team will be in touch.
The salary range for this role is $230,000 $250,000 annually based on experience.
The Talent Project is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process for all candidates and clients we represent. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.