Associate Director

At Thinx, we are committed to breaking the taboo around menstruation and incontinence. By reimagining feminine hygiene products to provide support, comfort, confidence, and peace of mind, we aim to eliminate shame and empower women and girls around the world.

The Role:

Thinx is looking to hire an Associate Director of Packaging and POS to join our growing team. Reporting to the Chief Brand Officer, this role will lead the packaging development and execution to ensure that Thinx packaging is of the highest quality, design and utility to create an exceptional customer experience.

Packaging is an integral component of the Thinx brand, so the ideal candidate will own this function and relentlessly focus on improving and elevating it. The right candidate will have excellent communication skills and work closely with our creative, partnerships, product and operations team.

This role is multifaceted and requires a thorough knowledge of packaging development process from concept through execution, has experience in project management as well as an understanding for design as well as a focus and attention to detail.

Responsibilities:

• Manage package development (primary, secondary, and tertiary), design & engineering and project management activities to assure timely and cost-effective new product launches, promotions, and maintenance of basic business activities.
• Manage agency selection, research, concept development and execution for POS for retail
• Coordinates and communicates with cross functional teams, to manage business needs, logistical and tactical requirements, and manage projects to deliver efficient handoff to Supply Chain/Operations
• Manage the development calendar and communication with the cross functional teams to deliver launches on a timely basis
• Lead packaging innovation efforts – new materials, new cost savings ideas, new processes
• Oversee process of defining packaging requirements and translating creative and marketing concepts into technical packaging specifications
• Manages internal or external resources developing packaging design and guides the process of concept and design development from an aesthetic and structural POV
• Provide a comprehensive overview of each package project that defines function, manufacturability, costs, preliminary development lead time and design parameters
• Ensure construction & design of all packaging achieves design, function and quality criteria within cost & time objectives
• Validate that all technical drawings and package specifications identify all aspects required to define package to manufacturer
• Develop network of packaging, POS and production agencies to support project map and business
• Implement packaging testing processes
• Drive innovation by exploring new packaging concepts and retail POS, technologies & materials to support new Design & Product Development ideas and push the envelope
• Set up continuous improvement program, including: QC & QA, sustainability, cost-to-manufacture and optimized size to ship for the greatest efficiency
• Conduct package compatibility, in-use/in-transit ship tests, line trials, and other testing to ensure formula compatibility, a positive consumer use experience, and to meet and exceed regulatory and legal requirements.

Desired Skills and Experience:

• 8 – 10 years of experience in packaging development
• BS in Packaging Engineering or related technical discipline a plus
• Experience in consumer products or related industry with development experience in packaging and POS.Bonus points for experience developing packaging for e-commerce / online delivery
• Experienced with international packaging development
• Possess a broad knowledge of packaging materials (including but not limited to paper, corrugated, dustbags, plastics), knowledge of primary, secondary and tertiary packaging development for consumer products, the formation of the different packaging construction (e.g., corrugated boxes, folding cartons, injection/extrusion molding, vacuum forming, mechanical or manual assembly, etc) and different printing techniques.
• Superior problem solving skills with a proven ability to be an extremely flexible team member that can meet deadlines and excel in a fast-paced, demanding environment.
• Excellent at working with cross-functional teams with competing priorities. Particularly Creative, Operations & Product Development
• Excellent communication skills, to be able to deal effectively with all levels of the organization and suppliers
• Excellent organizational skills to manage the documentation, materials, samples and information
• Packaging/creative agency experience a bonus
• Problem-solving, solution-driven self-starter
• Clear and concise written and oral communication skills
• Quality-focused and with a customer experience mindset