Role Purpose
Lead the development, qualification, cost optimization, and commercialization of packaging materials for decorative paints, including plastic pails, rigid containers, corrugated cartons, and metal cans, ensuring packaging performance, product protection, sustainability, regulatory compliance, and cost competitiveness across manufacturing locations.
The role works closely with Procurement, R&D, Operations, Quality, Marketing, and Packaging Suppliers to deliver innovative and reliable packaging solutions for interior, exterior, wood coatings, waterproofing, and ancillary product portfolios.

Key Responsibilities
Packaging Development & Innovation

Develop and commercialize packaging solutions for

Injection-molded and blow-molded plastic pails (1L–20L)
Metal containers and cans
Corrugated shipper cartons and retail-ready packaging
Lids, handles, closures, labels and fitments
Lead packaging design from concept through commercialization.
Evaluate new materials, technologies, and packaging innovations to improve functionality and customer experience.
Support new product launches through packaging development and qualification.
Ensure packaging performance throughout product shelf life and supply chain conditions.

Supplier Development & Qualification
Identify and develop packaging suppliers for plastic, carton, and metal packaging.
Conduct supplier technical assessments and Vendor audits.
Drive supplier innovation, quality improvement, and cost reduction initiatives.
Lead vendor qualification and approval processes.

Cost Optimization & Value Engineering

Identify opportunities for

Resin reduction
Gauge optimization
Carton grammage optimization
Standardization across SKUs
Alternate material qualifications
Drive annual packaging cost savings programs.
Develop should-cost models and benchmarking studies.

Sustainability & Circular Economy
Increase recycled content utilization in packaging materials.
Improve recyclability and reduce packaging carbon footprint.
Support sustainability goals related to plastic reduction and circular packaging.
Evaluate biodegradable and eco-friendly packaging solutions where feasible.

Manufacturing & Commercialization Support
Support packaging commissioning at manufacturing plants.
Resolve packaging-related production and field issues.
Ensure packaging compatibility with filling lines and automation systems.
Lead packaging change management activities across plants.

Quality & Compliance
Establish packaging quality standards and acceptance criteria.

Ensure compliance with

BIS requirements
Legal metrology regulations
Transportation and handling standards
Internal quality management systems
Investigate packaging failures and implement corrective actions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with

R&D
Procurement
Manufacturing
Supply Planning
Marketing
Quality Assurance
Lead cross-functional packaging improvement projects.
Provide packaging technical expertise during customer complaints and root cause investigations.

Key Deliverables
Successful commercialization of new packaging platforms.
Packaging cost reduction targets achieved annually.
Improved packaging quality performance.
Supplier qualification and capability enhancement.
Sustainability improvement initiatives implemented.
Reduction in packaging-related customer complaints and manufacturing losses.

Required Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Packaging Technology, Polymer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
Master's Degree preferred.

Experience

10–15 years of experience in packaging development.
Experience in paints, coatings, FMCG, chemicals, lubricants, adhesives, or related industries.

Strong exposure to

Plastic packaging development
Corrugated packaging
Metal packaging systems
Packaging testing and validation

Technical Competencies
Plastic processing technologies (Injection Molding, Blow Molding)
Polymer material selection
Corrugated packaging design
Metal can manufacturing processes
Packaging testing equipment and standards
Design for manufacturability (DFM)
Packaging specifications management
Value engineering and cost optimization
Sustainability and recyclability assessment
Root cause analysis and problem-solving

Leadership Competencies
Project Management
Stakeholder Management
Supplier Relationship Management
Negotiation & Influencing
Innovation Mindset
Analytical Thinking
Cross-functional Team Leadership
Continuous Improvement (Lean/Six Sigma)

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
New packaging developments commercialized
Packaging cost savings (% and value)
Packaging-related customer complaint reduction
Packaging quality PPM/defect reduction
Supplier OTIF and quality performance
Speed of packaging qualification and launch
Sustainability targets (recycled content, packaging weight reduction)
Plant packaging efficiency improvements

Typical Scope in Decorative Paints Industry
Packaging portfolio covering 0. 5L to 20L packs
Plastic buckets/pails, cans, lids, handles, shrink sleeves, labels, corrugated cartons, and metal containers
Multi-site manufacturing support
Collaboration with regional and national packaging suppliers
Management of packaging spend ranging from ₹50–300+ Crores annually (depending on company size)