Packaging and Compliance Manager

At WD-40 Company we believe that purpose-driven, passionate people guided by our values create amazing outcomes. Our “why” is refreshingly simple – we exist to create positive lasting memories in everything we do. We solve problems. We make things work smoothly. We create opportunities. How we achieve our “why” is by cultivating a culture through learning, teaching and living our values.

As the Packaging and Compliance Manager you will lead the innovation and development of new packaging design solutions to meet long term (3-5 year) strategic goals, ensuring they meet design criteria, technical specifications, standards, and ESG requirements in collaboration with both local and Global R&D, supply chain and environmental teams.

Since 1953, our formulation remains a secret. It is no secret that our passion for our people, culture, and brands is what distinguishes us. WD-40 Company has best-in-class products and we seek best-in-class talent

At WD-40 Company we foster a culture of inclusion where all individuals are recognized, valued, respected, and experience a sense of belonging. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to individual characteristics that make us unique such as our backgrounds, experiences, qualities, talents, traits, beliefs, and preferences.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leads and oversees the design, development and selection of packaging materials and solutions which meet the design criteria and longer-term (3-5 years) ESG strategic goals.
• Leads packaging design with external partners through to manufacturing (inclusive of trials) and issue resolution to deliver packaging solutions for new products.
• Provides specialized technical packaging support for Innovation projects to ensure specifications adhere and comply with global and local standards/guidelines.
• Is the lead for project management of packaging innovation from concept to implementation, working collaboratively with the NPD scientist to ensure primary packaging options are available for new products to be ready for commercialisation.
• Accountable for initiating packaging innovation ideas, collaborating with designers, engineers, suppliers and key internal stakeholders to create or select packaging that is high-quality, functional, aesthetically pleasing, cost-effective and compliant with latest regulations.
• Explores opportunities, leading investigation of packaging innovation options to enhance new products through improved and innovative packaging at the earliest opportunity, utilising existing supply chain and/or working with EIMEA sourcing and global colleagues to design for new requirements.
• Responsible for leading efforts to reduce packaging related ESG impacts, focusing on identifying opportunities to reduce ESG impact from the materials we use, drive sustainability initiatives within our supplier base, improve recyclability of our materials and identifying waste reduction opportunities.
• Ensure packaging meets regulatory, safety, performance and sustainability requirements through identified testing and validation.
• Maintain records, specifications and details of any activities to ensure handover to commercialisation is effective and efficient.

Packaging Regulations Compliance

• Stay updated on packaging regulations, industry standards and landscape
• Understand the impact to the business and product offerings, regulatory trends and changes. Interpret needs, and provide the business with clarity and solutions on requirements for business continuity through regular reporting to trade bloc and global stakeholders.
• Ensure packaging designs and materials comply with relevant laws, regulations, and certifications.
• Take a proactive approach, collaborating with industry bodies and networks to anticipate industry trends, horizon scan for emerging regulatory and environmental packaging issues and participate in lobby groups on behalf of WDFC in developing industry regulatory standards to futureproof our current and new product offerings.
• Conduct risk assessments of packaging materials, designs, and processes to identify potential hazards or vulnerabilities. Develop risk mitigation strategies, contingency plans, and crisis response protocols to safeguard against packaging-related risks and ensure business continuity.
• Develops and embeds processes for the identification and qualification of primary packaging to ensure that it meets quality and sustainability requirements and is fit for commercialization.
• Executes and communicates the NPD primary packaging processes from concept to commercialization.
• Build successful networks to stay ahead of applicable and viable packaging trends and communicate the value proposition of these to the business.
• Delivers required packaging solutions for innovation in alignment with priorities and ideation timelines.
• Monitors the effectiveness of the packaging innovation process, regularly reviews and consults with stakeholders. Identifies required changes and refreshes to ensure the process remains relevant.
• Collaborates with Product Commercialisation to identify packaging renovation projects that will improve and future proof current primary packaging

Supplier & Stakeholder Relationship Management & Development

• Conduct regular field visits with new and existing suppliers and internal stakeholders to build relationships and ensure standards are clearly communicated and upheld and cost optimization is identified and realized.
• Collaborate with relevant cross-regional, EIMEA and global colleagues from R&D, Packaging, AIDG and Sustainability to drive information sharing and global packaging development opportunities.
• Maintains effective and mutually beneficial relationships with packaging suppliers and material suppliers. Works with Procurement & Sourcing to identify and develop new collaborative and innovative supply partners.
• Provide updates and insights to internal stakeholders on the latest packaging developments and future availability of new packaging designs for consideration in their strategic business plans and product roadmaps.

Project Management

• Lead and manage packaging focused operational innovation projects.
• Core responsibilities include: scoping out project idea, identifying and documenting objectives, building achievable timelines ensuring effective resourcing, and delivering on time and within budget.
• Monitor multiple projects, to ensure project milestones are on track and documentation is maintained and up to date.
• Maintain effective communication and regular updates with stakeholders on project status including escalation to project sponsor where required.
• Provides program status reporting for broad distribution internally and externally and communicates current timings, risks, and expenditures to include, but not limited to, forecasting and reporting against goals attainment.
• Where required facilitate and lead global packaging initiatives.

What You’ll Bring To The Role

• Prior experience in a similar role with a focus on consumer goods products manufacturing. Some specialist environmentally sustainable packaging technology experience would be beneficial.
• Experience in tertiary CPG packaging development with experience to manufacturing, trial production, and package testing.
• Strong packaging manufacturing and design experience
• Demonstrated experience in forming strong cross-functional and cross-regional relationships, both internal and external
• Broad experience managing projects related to packaging, supply, cost and quality improvement across Europe desirable

Total Rewards

Our competitive and comprehensive benefits package provides you protection, security, and peace of mind. We offer life-enhancing health, wellness, and financial programs, including profit incentive rewards, healthcare, generous pension contributions. In addition, we want you to recharge and take time off, so enjoy short-day Fridays, paid holidays, and an additional paid week off between Christmas and New year to spend with family and friends!

About Us

Why You Should Apply

• A strong values-aligned organization where contributions are acknowledged and rewarded, and where 91% of our tribe experiences a sense of belonging.
• A learning-based culture where 85% of our tribemates believe they can achieve their career objectives
• Over 91% employee engagement as of the January 2024 global employee survey results.
• 99% of our tribemates report that they “love to tell people that they work for WD-40 Company”!

Please, only consider employment with WD-40 Company if you feel as strongly about our values as we do: We live, breathe, and embody our values every day.