Product Development Manager

The Product Development Manager plays a crucial role in identifying, developing, and launching innovative packaging solutions to expand the Company's reach in vertical markets. This role focuses on primary packaging, including bottles, jars, caps, containers, and flexible packaging across various substrates—while enhancing the company's competitiveness and meeting evolving customer needs. The ideal candidate will have extensive Asia-based manufacturing experience, preferably in glass and plastic packaging, along with strong project management, customer relationships, and organizational skills.

Essential JOB DUTIES

Essential job functions and duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Drive the development and launch of new products (primary packaging – example: Personal Care Items)

· Work creatively and collaboratively with our customers to ensure their packaging concept and vision to life.

· Define and detail packaging requirements and specifications for the customer and the internal K1 teams.

· Ensure the development process aligns with K1’s processes and the customers’ timelines.

· Establish functional requirements for new packaging and oversee prototype development and testing.

· Collaborate with the K1’s Asia and Domestic teams to identify potential cost saving opportunities – including design and material.

· Enable and support our Asia Team and K1 procurement team through their negotiating and pricing process.

· Work alongside the Sales Department to support customers' packaging R&D needs.

· Maintain a database of existing and newly developed packaging, including new substrates and styles.

· Conduct research to identify market needs and new packaging product opportunities.

· Support and train the sales team in new packaging products.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, education and/or abilities required for the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions:

· Strong knowledge of packaging design principles and materials, including an understanding of manufacturing processes and cost implications.

· Extensive experience in Asia-based manufacturing, preferably in glass and plastic packaging.

· Customer relationship management experience with a strong customer focus.

· Excellent communication skills (Mandarin language proficiency is a significant advantage) and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and communicate technical information to non-technical stakeholders.

· Exceptional project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and ensure completion within budget and timeline constraints.

· The ability to think creatively and solve problems in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, with the ability to develop and test new ideas quickly.

· Design experience and familiarity with 3D modeling software is a distinct advantage.

The appropriate knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position are achievable through the following combination of education, work experience and training:

· Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Material Science, Industrial Design (with packaging focus) or a related discipline required.

· Master’s or MBA degree a plus.

· 3D CAD experience at a beginner or intermediate level is a plus

· 3-7 years of experience in packaging development, preferably in primary packaging (Bottles, Jars, Closures, etc.)

· Proven ability to collaborate with sales, procurement and engineering teams to bring packaging solutions to the market.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING CONDITIONS

The essential functions of this job require the employee to perform the following physical activities during work:

· Required to stand, walk, and sit for extended periods of time during the course of the work shift.

· Required to regularly stoop, bend, kneel, lift, and reach, in the performance of this role.

· Required the use of hands, speech and hearing, and use of feet to operate machinery/equipment; Agility to operate and frequently be exposed to moving mechanical parts.

· Lifting requirements: 25-35 lbs.; and the ability to move/push up to 25 lbs.

· The noise level in this work environment may be moderate to high.

· Occasionally exposed to high, precarious places, fumes, or airborne particles, outside weather conditions.

· PPErequirements: Regular use of safety glasses, standard ear plugs, masks, safety shoes, and gloves.

: The Company reserves the right to modify, update, change and/or make corrections to this job description, at the sole discretion of senior management, at any time during the employee’s employment term, at the sole discretion of management.

Please send your resume to: careers@k1packaging.com or Barbara.Fasth@k1packaging.com

K1 Packaging Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female/Minority/Disability/Protected Veteran/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $105,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year (flexible depending on experience level)

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Flexible Spending
• Paid time off
• Great holiday schedule
• Vision insurance
• Excellent paid vacation

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $105,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Prescription drug insurance
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Supplemental Pay:

• Bonus opportunities

Ability to Commute:

• City of Industry, CA 91748 (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• City of Industry, CA 91748: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $105,000 - $125,000