Working Student R&D in Darmstadt, Hessen at Wella Company

Position Title: Working Student, R&D Packaging Development

Location: Darmstadt, Germany

Reports to: Senior Manager, R&D Packaging Development

Direct Reports: N/A

Scope / Brands: Global Wella Retail Hair Color Brands

ABOUT THE WELLA COMPANY

Together, WE enable individuals to look, feel, and be their true selves.

Wella Company is one of the world’s leading beauty companies, comprised of a family of iconic brands such as Wella Professionals, Clairol, OPI, Nioxin and ghd. With 6,000 employees globally, presence in over 100 countries, Wella Company and its brands enable consumers to look, feel, and be their true selves. As innovators in the hair and nail industry, Wella Company empowers its people to delight consumers, inspire beauty professionals, engage communities, and deliver sustainable growth to its stakeholders.

For additional information about the Wella Company please visit www.wellacompany.com.

THE ROLE

We’re looking for a Working Student to support the Global Wella Retail Hair Color Packaging team in Darmstadt. The role will contribute to global packaging innovations, its qualification, specification and project execution. Reporting to a Senior Manager R&D Packaging Development, the candidate will work closely with packaging experts, international multifunctional Wella teams, suppliers and manufacturing sites. This position offers hands-on experience in packaging development across a wide range of packaging formats, including bottles, caps, tubes, and materials such as plastics, cardboard and metal.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identify technical packaging solutions, including supplier communication, sample sourcing, follow-ups and consolidation of inputs.

• Evaluate options, create material comparisons and prepare decision-ready summaries for the team.

• Compile, track and execute packaging learning plans, testing activities and documentation.

• Create and update packaging specifications and related technical documentation.

• Independently manage smaller packaging project workstreams or defined work packages with coaching from senior packaging developers.

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential:

• Currently enrolled in a relevant university degree programme, such as packaging technology, materials science, product development or a comparable field.

• Enthusiasm for packaging development, packaging materials, sustainability and technical project execution in the beauty or consumer goods industry.

• Strong communication skills and a proactive approach to engage with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.

• Structured, reliable and detail-oriented working style, with the ability to effectively follow up on options, open actions and documentation.

• Good analytical, problem-solving and organisational skills, with creativity in identifying solutions and comfort to handle multiple activities in parallel.

• Confident use of business tools, with the ability to quickly learn and apply new systems.

• Fluent in written and spoken English.

• Proactive mindset, curiosity and flexibility to support evolving business needs.

Desirable:

• First practical experience through internships, student jobs or university projects in packaging, product development, materials testing or FMCG.

• Experience working effectively in a matrix or cross-functional environment, or strong motivation to learn in a global R&D organisation.

EEO OPPORTUNITIES

We offer equal employment opportunity to qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Wella Company with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact us at: https://www.wellacompany.com/consumer-affairs

We strongly believe that cultivating a diverse workplace gives a company strength. The combination of unique skills, abilities, experiences and backgrounds creates an environment that produces extraordinary results. EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled.

English - Please click on this link to review the Notification of Equal Opportunity Rights poster

Español - Por favor, haga un clic en el enlace para revisar el poster de la Ley de los Derechos de Igualdad de Empleo