Senior Manager, Packaging Engineering
Company Overview
At Gerber Childrenswear we stand for quality, everyday comfort, and safety. From the clothes we design, to the fabrics we select, to our focus on sustainability and community, we have got what baby needs for their first 1000 days and from one generation to the next.
Our Team
Our mission is to be trusted partner to those all responsible for the parenting journey. We do this by seeking every day to answer the question -Will this be safe and bring comfort and joy to every child?
We are dedicated to our mission and passionate about collaboration, moving quickly, breaking down barriers, leveraging technology, eliminating bureaucracy and constantly striving to evolve. Our cultural foundation is built on quality, trust, and value, all bundled together in 90 years of happy little clients while focused on continuously improving to ensure many more years of happy little clients
This is a full time, hybrid role with our office in Greenville. This position does require 3 days in office and 2 days that can be completed remotely from home.
Who We Are Looking For:
The Senior Manager, Packaging Engineering will lead the strategy, development, and execution of innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective packaging solutions for our clothing brands, hard goods and accessories portfolio. This role is responsible for ensuring packaging supports and enhances brand identity, supports operational efficiency, and meets all safety, quality, and regulatory standards. The Senior Manager will manage a team of packaging engineers and collaborate cross-functionally with Product Development, Supply Chain, Quality, Marketing, and external vendors to drive packaging excellence.
What You'll Do:
Leadership & Strategy
- Develop and implement the company’s packaging engineering strategy aligned with brand, and financial goals.
- Lead and mentor a team of packaging engineers, fostering technical expertise and innovative thinking.
- Partner with executive leadership to identify packaging opportunities that improve cost, sustainability, and consumer experience.
- Be a visionary with new ways of displaying and packaging products that align with corporate goals.
- Oversee the design, testing, and validation of packaging, ensuring functionality, sustainability, and compliance with safety standards.
- Drive innovation in packaging design, materials, and processes to enhance consumer appeal, shelf impact, and e-commerce readiness.
- Establish and maintain packaging specifications, documentation, and guidelines.
- Collaborate with sourcing, suppliers, and manufacturing partners to optimize packaging efficiency and reduce total landed cost.
- Ensure packaging solutions are scalable, manufacturable, and meet supply chain and distribution requirements.
- Lead vendor qualification and packaging material approval processes.
- Collaborate and work with vendors on costing.
- Knowledge of vendor compliance requirements and retailer guidelines.
- Ensure packaging meets all regulatory, safety, and retailer requirements, particularly for infant and children’s products.
- Drive sustainability initiatives, including reduction of plastics, recyclability, and environmentally friendly material choices.
- Monitor and report on packaging sustainability KPIs.
- Partner with Marketing and Merchandising to deliver consumer-centric packaging that reinforces brand equity and product storytelling.
- Work with Logistics and E-commerce teams to design packaging optimized for omni-channel fulfillment.
- Collaborate with Quality and Regulatory teams to ensure compliance with international packaging standards.
- Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design, or related field
- 8+ years of packaging engineering experience, with at least 3–5 years in a leadership/management role.
- Experience in apparel, consumer goods, or baby/children’s products strongly preferred.
- Deep knowledge of packaging materials (paperboard, plastics, hangers, boxes, and sustainable alternatives) and processes.
- Proven track record in driving cost savings, innovation, and sustainability initiatives.
- Strong leadership, project management, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Excellent communication and vendor management abilities.
- Excellent problem-solving abilities.
- Proactive, positive approach to leading a team and working with cross-functional departments.
- Competitive Pay – We believe in rewarding success and showing our employees just how much they’re valued in a variety of different ways, including compensation.
- Health and Wellness - There’s nothing basic about our comprehensive health and wellness programs and offerings. While at work and at play, we aim to support a healthy lifestyle.
- Time away from work - Sometimes we need time away to be with family, enjoy our hobbies, focus on our health or just simply recharge. We are committed to helping our employees create a work-life harmony!
- Growth and Development - We are constantly seeking to offer opportunities and support for personal and professional development.
- Financial Planning and wellbeing - No matter what financial goals our employees have set, we want to help them get there. We offer access to benefits, programs and education to help our employees to protect income, pay for expenses and invest in the future. Including a generous 401K match!
- Extras, discounts and perks - Generous discounts to our company and related companies, is just one of the cool extras we offer!